Access to housing is a challenging theme in communities throughout the United States. Housing shortages exist for nearly all demographics and age brackets. The situation for individuals and couples seeking places to retire or needing health services is no different. Creating a greater supply of senior living offers hope for those entering the silver years …
Senior living projects address greater housing demand Read More »
A national panel of women leaders in the energy industry featured some of Minnesota’s best and brightest. Sarah Peterson, vice president of engineering at Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative, and Margaret Schreiner, Great River Energy board vice chair and Dakota Electric Association board member, participated in a panel discussion hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative …
Local ‘Women in Power’ featured on national stage Read More »
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recently announced over $50 million in grants to expand broadband access to an estimated 8,900 homes and businesses throughout Minnesota, including areas served by two of Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives. “We’re investing in broadband infrastructure statewide to help thousands of Minnesotans connect to jobs, education, healthcare and their communities,” Walz …
State investment in broadband supports co-op members Read More »
Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining in popularity, but as the EV fleet expands, so does the need for trained technicians when maintenance or repair needs arise. Kandiyohi Power Cooperative (KPC), based in Spicer, Minnesota, and Great River Energy are working with a local community college to meet the need for qualified EV techs. KPC donated …
A Southern Minnesota electric cooperative is now providing electric vehicle (EV) drivers the opportunity to quickly “fuel” up at its headquarters with its newly installed fast-charging stations that come with an added bonus: A renewable form of locally produced energy is the source of power. Owatonna-based Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric, one of Great River Energy’s 27 …
Solar energy powers co-op’s new electric vehicle chargers Read More »
In an era where electricity plays an indispensable role in our daily lives, maintaining a reliable and robust power grid is important. To help tackle this challenge, innovative solutions like mobile substations can enhance the resilience of distribution networks. These units are equipped with transformers, circuit breakers, protective relays and other necessary equipment to step …
Innovative mobile substation helps keep the lights on Read More »
Cooperatives like Great River Energy and its member-owners are unique. They operate at cost, only collecting enough revenue to serve their members and meet their financial obligations. They are also governed by boards of directors elected by, and from, the membership. The Great River Energy board of directors welcomed its newest member in January when …
Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives have something new to be proud of: 96% of the meters in Great River Energy’s service area are now smart meters, which is ahead of the curve for co-ops nationally. All of Great River Energy’s 27 member co-ops are nearly finished installing advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to replace traditional analog …
Contract change recognizes growing interest and opportunities for local renewable energy Most of Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives now have an increased opportunity to self-supply renewable energy following the approval of an amendment to their wholesale power contracts. What was previously an option for members that receive all their wholesale power from Great River Energy …
An electric cooperative recently demonstrated the versatility of what electric vehicle (EV) batteries are capable of by powering a local outdoor concert with a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning. For more than six hours, Kandiyohi Power Cooperative (KPC) helped put on a live music show featuring two bands at The Land, an outdoor event space located …