Projects that will strengthen electricity reliability and open pathways for renewable energy in the Midwest are poised to take a major step forward this winter. Great River Energy, wholesale power provider to 27 member-owner distribution cooperatives in Minnesota, has been one of several utilities working with the region’s grid operator, MISO, over the last two …
Construction of the eastern segment, Alexandria-Big Oaks, to start in 2025 Several regional energy companies are moving ahead with a new high-voltage transmission line that will increase the capability of the transmission system to reliably meet customer demand and deliver energy within the Upper Midwest, following Thursday’s unanimous approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. …
The Pratt & Whitney FT4 combustion turbine has been a cornerstone for peaking plants across the country — including Great River Energy’s St. Bonifacius facility — since manufacturing began in the 1960s. However, it is becoming increasingly important to keep the turbines in peak condition due to their age and the number of units still …
Gas turbines take center stage at conference hosted by Great River Energy Read More »
Minnesota is one of several states that has enacted legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electric utilities. The state’s carbon-free standard requires that 90% of electric utilities’ retail sales be provided by carbon-free power supply by 2035. Serving more than 700,000 members across Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin, Great River Energy is a wholesale …
Diverse resource portfolio powers local communities Read More »
President Joe Biden announced the first round of finalists for the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, part of the administration’s efforts to boost clean energy investments in rural communities, at an event held Sept. 5 in Westby, Wisconsin. Great River Energy was among the cooperatives announced as a finalist. The New ERA program aims …
Great River Energy named finalist for clean energy funding Read More »
Great River Energy, along with its member-owner cooperatives Cooperative Light & Power (CLP) and Lake Country Power (LCP), recently partnered with Minnesota Power for the second annual Electric Avenue at the Lake Superior Harvest Festival held at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, Minnesota. Approximately 8,000 festival attendees had the opportunity to see a wide variety …
Festival highlights plug-in vehicles, electric safety Read More »
A partnership between two electric cooperatives and a Minnesota golf course is helping to showcase how electric technology used in new ways can function in the real world. Stearns Electric Association teamed up with its wholesale power provider, Great River Energy, and Mean Green Electric Mowers last summer to lease an electric lawnmower to Lynx …
Electric lawnmower turns golf course even greener, cleaner Read More »
Great River Energy recently welcomed a busload of Lake Country Power (LCP) member-owners who traveled from the Iron Range to Maple Grove to learn more about where their power comes from. The group of 50 people were given a tour of several Great River Energy facilities, including the headquarters, Elk River campus as well as …
Members travel to learn how their power is made and moved Read More »
Great River Energy’s environmental management system dates back to the cooperative’s origins — and has guided it for a quarter century Great River Energy’s commitment to environmental stewardship has been a part of the organization since its formation in 1999. Great River Energy’s environmental management system (EMS) is a fundamental component of the cooperative’s dedication …
Great River Energy and its member-owner cooperatives use a shared Geographic Information System (GIS) software platform, which promotes a good data sharing environment and has become a mission-critical tool for system reliability and response. GIS is a framework for gathering, managing and analyzing data organized into layers of information and integrated into maps. “It has …
Award-winning GIS department benefits all members Read More »