Power Supply Updates

How the recent grid warnings affect you

America’s electric grid has become increasingly unstable – and it could begin impacting Minnkota Power Cooperative’s members this summer.

That’s why Minnkota and Cass County Electric Cooperative are joining many of our nation’s grid operators and regulators in sounding the alarm on the vulnerabilities that are affecting power reliability. As the pace of change in the energy industry continues to accelerate, so does the risk of rotating power outages and other extended service interruptions. Minnkota’s eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota service area is no longer immune to the large-scale grid challenges that have been experienced in Texas and California in recent years.

As Cass County Electric Cooperative’s wholesale power provider, Minnkota takes its responsibility to provide reliable, resilient and responsible electricity seriously. The cooperative has more than enough generating capacity to meet the demands of its members through its coal, wind and hydro resources. But Minnkota does not operate on the grid alone. Utilities across the Upper Midwest are connected through Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO). Emergency events experienced in other parts of the MISO region can and do have impacts back into the Minnkota system.

One of the most significant industry issues is the retirement of baseload and dispatchable power plants – including coal, nuclear and natural gas – without adequate replacements. Wind and solar make up the majority of the new resources being added to the grid, but they are limited by the fact that they are only able to operate intermittently – when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining. While Minnkota supports moving toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, it is not something that can happen with the flip of the switch. It will take decades of planning and unprecedented technology development to achieve significant carbon reduction.

MISO expresses concerns

Minnkota is not alone in coming to these conclusions. MISO issued a dire warning in April that it does not have enough reliable power plant capacity on its system to meet its projected peak demand this summer. The result is an increasing risk of power outage events.

Minnkota both buys and sells surplus power in the MISO system, which estimates a 1,230-megawatt (MW) shortfall in power plant capacity to meet its reserve margin. For context, one megawatt-hour (MWh) is enough electricity to serve more than 800 homes with an hour’s worth of power.

“Due in large part to decarbonization goals set by our members and the states in our region, our resource fleet is increasingly reliant on intermittent and weather-dependent resources,” said Wayne Schug, vice president of strategy and business development at MISO. “As this trend continues in the future, MISO needs to evolve the grid, our markets, and our operational capabilities, which is just as complex as it sounds.”

In a recent interview in the Wall Street Journal, MISO CEO John Bear added to this point by saying, “As we move forward, we need to know that when you put a solar panel or a wind turbine up, it’s not the same as a thermal resource.”

MISO’s peak demand for electricity typically occurs in the summer months during the hottest days of the year. The organization is conducting training and exercises to prepare for worst-case scenarios and is also implementing lessons learned and best practices. Likewise, Minnkota’s energy marketing team is working to ensure it’s ready to respond to volatile market and reliability conditions.
 

Mac McLennan, Minnkota president and CEO, talks about the current state of the grid and how Minnkota fits into the larger MISO system.

FAQs

Every effort is made to avoid interrupting service to our members. However, under emergency operating conditions, utilities across the Upper Midwest (including CCEC) may face temporary rotating power outages. These controlled power outages are a last resort to maintain overall grid stability and prevent large-scale cascading outages.

In a controlled outage event, it is likely that all power to a home or business would be interrupted. Outages will likely be temporary and rotate through different areas of the region until the emergency conditions subside.

Each grid emergency event is different. It is possible that all of our system could be affected, or only select areas. As much communication as possible will be provided through our social media channels/website/etc.

CCEC does not operate on the grid alone. We are interconnected with other utilities across the Upper Midwest through an organization called MISO. In an emergency grid event, MISO has the ability to take control of all utility systems and make decisions they deem necessary to maintain stability and prevent large-scale cascading outages. This could include using temporary rotating power outages to prevent more significant issues.

Grid emergency events are driven by many factors, including:

  • High demand for electricity, typically on very hot/cold days.

  • Lack of available generation resources resulting in electricity shortfalls.

  • Lack of adequate power delivery resources to effectively transmit electricity throughout the Upper Midwest.

Yes. Your cooperative works with Minnkota, its wholesale power provider, to power the region. Minnkota has more than enough generating capacity to meet the demands of its members through its coal, wind, and hydro resources. But Minnkota does not operate on the grid alone. Utilities across the Upper Midwest are connected through MISO. Emergency events experienced in other parts of the MISO region can and do have impacts back into the Minnkota system.

MISO is a not-for-profit, member-based organization that manages the markets for energy and oversees the operation of the Upper Midwest's power grid. MISO is referred to as the air traffic controller of the region's electric grid and works closely with all utilities to ensure reliability.

  • The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is the regulatory entity responsible for how utilities maintain reliability from a technical standpoint. They have reliability standards that must be met by utilities operating on the grid. (NERC is overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or FERC)

  • MISO is the economic side of the equation. They send economic signals (energy marker pricing, capacity pricing, etc.) to encourage the operation of reliable generation and transmission resources.

  • Public Utilities/Service Commissions are engaged in the process too. Minnkota completes an Integrated Resource Plan on an advisory basis outlining how it will meet its members' demand for electricity.

CCEC works closely with Minnkota, its wholesale provider, to limit any interruptions in service. 

  • Trained and highly-skilled employees are monitoring and operating the Minnkota and CCEC system 24 hours a day.

  • Detailed plans and procedures are in place to help ensure the reliability of Minnkota's system. Minnkota maintains an energy portfolio consisting of a diverse mix of coal, wind, and hydro resources. Working together, these facilities help support 24/7 reliability on the Minnkota system. Coal-based facilities remain the workhorse of the system and are routinely available to produce power during the vast majority of each year.

  • CCEC has a robust and effective demand response (also called off-peak) program. Through the program, Minnkota and CCEC can temporarily control electric heating, water heating, and vehicle charging loads - shifting electrical demand when economical resources are not available. In exchange, our members receive a discounted electric rate.

Being a part of MISO's electric grid provides significant value. Utilities operating together on the grid is more efficient and cost-effective than each utility creating its own isolated grid. However, in emergency events, challenges in one area of the grid can spread to other areas.

The demand for electricity is higher than in recent years as the economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to higher demand, there are also challenges in parts of the Upper Midwest related to the retirement of reliable baseload power plants without adequate replacements.

No, EVs are an emerging technology and utilities are planning for more widespread adoption. However, members who have an EV can help relieve grid stress by signing up for the off-peak EV charging program.

Controlled power outages may occur with little notice to members. Because it is an emergency event, it may not be immediately clear when and where controlled outages will occur. CCEC will work with its power partners to provide as much proactive communication as possible. Please follow our Facebook page/website/etc. for the latest updates.

We understand that service disruptions provide difficulties and challenges for our members. We have people working around the clock to ensure our system is operating as reliably as possible.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) – the federal regulatory entity responsible for the reliability of the nation’s electric grid – is also expressing concerns heading into the summer season. According to NERC, MISO is in the “high risk” category, and has the potential of “facing capacity shortfalls in its north and central areas during both normal and extreme conditions due to generator retirements and increased demand.”

NERC’s Summer Reliability Assessment notes that reliability challenges are being compounded by evolving demands on the power grid, which has grown increasingly complex as renewable energy assets are added

“There’s clear, objective, inclusive data indicating that the pace of our grid transformation is a bit out of sync with the underlying realities and the physics of the system,” said John Moura, NERC’s director of reliability assessment.

Along with the changing power supply mix, NERC also identified extreme weather conditions, high seasonal demand for electricity, supply chain issues and cybersecurity threats as other risks impacting reliability.

While there are challenges, Minnkota supports efforts to reimagine how electricity can be produced, delivered and consumed. But the implementation of these ideas must be met with caution and common sense. After all, there is a lot on the line. A resilient and reliable electric grid that affordably keeps the lights on is the cornerstone of the American economy and our national security. Any missteps in an energy transition of this magnitude can have irreversible consequences.

So, what can be done? Minnkota is only one of thousands of utilities across the country, but it is taking its own steps to protect itself from power reliability challenges.

  • Training and education
    Minnkota’s employees are trained to respond to emergency grid events and continuously work to shield members from the volatility of the grid and markets. The cooperative also invests significant time in helping member-consumers, lawmakers, business interests and other in the general public understand the challenges the industry faces and the complexity in providing reliable power to the region.

  • Maintaining a diverse energy mix
    Minnkota’s energy portfolio consists of a diverse mix of coal, wind and hydro resources. Working together, these facilities help ensure 24/7 reliability on the Minnkota system. Coal-based facilities remain the workhorse of the system and are routinely available to produce power during the vast majority of each year.

  • Upgrading our power delivery systems
    Minnkota is building, upgrading and replacing the power delivery resources that connect its communities. New technologies are being added to Minnkota’s grid to provide enhanced data and communication capabilities – all in an effort to respond more quickly to issues and improve overall reliability.

  • Continuous cybersecurity evolution
    Minnkota continuously works to protect the electric grid from physical and cyber security threats. Energy experts in Minnkota’s Control Center monitor the grid 24 hours a day to ensure the safety of the cooperative’s employees, infrastructure and data.

  • Strategically utilizing demand response
    Minnkota has one of the most robust and effective demand response (also called off-peak) programs in the country. Through the program, Minnkota and its members can temporarily control electric heating, water heating and vehicle charging loads – shifting electrical demand when economical resources are not available

Miso Grid Map

 

Download the MISO Mobile app for updates on power supply and to receive notifications on potential energy overload.