The demand for harnessing clean, renewable energy sources like wind energy has increased greatly over the past decade due to a confluence of political and environmental concerns. Although wind energy is recognized as a promising source of clean energy, some decision-makers are asking how much wind energy should ultimately be installed. As the level of installed wind energy capacity increases, it is possible that at some point the aggregated generation mix could produce electrical power exceeding electrical demand. This situation could require excessive generator curtailment. In this investigation several different criteria are explored to develop an optimum level of in-state wind energy penetration into the existing generation infrastructure. In this way, the benefit to society may be maximized. Three scenarios are studied: 1) a scenario in which the wind carve-out remains at 75% of the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard, 2) a scenario in which all of the wind energy that is generated must be fully utilized, and 3) a scenario in which wind energy is allowed to be curtailed at a rate equal to the rate that energy is used internally at thermal generation plants. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.