The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the region’s grid operator, approved a portfolio of transmission projects last month as part of the first phase of its Long-Range Transmission Plan. In total MISO approved 18 projects across its Midwest sub region, with six in the Upper Midwest. One of these projects is an approximately 150-mile, double-circuit …
Minnesota Power, a utility division of ALLETE Inc. (NYSE: ALE), and Great River Energy today announced their intent to build an approximately 150-mile, double-circuit 345-kV transmission line from northern Minnesota to central Minnesota near Becker that will support grid reliability in the Upper Midwest. The transmission line will run from Minnesota Power’s Iron Range Substation …
Helicopters provide a great way for Great River Energy to both inspect its lines, equipment and right of way, and to make repairs from overhead when needed. In May and June, Great River Energy used helicopters for all these jobs. Byron Johnson, leader of vegetation management at the cooperative, said efficiency and having a bird’s …
Aerial patrols prove effective in many situations Read More »
The region’s grid operator is soon expected to approve the first phase of high-voltage power line projects in its multi-phase Long-Range Transmission Plan. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) plan calls for $10 billion and more in transmission investment across the 15-state region in the next decade, including several projects in Minnesota. The addition of …
Great River Energy advocates for cooperatives with new power lines on the horizon Read More »
Great River Energy and other electric cooperatives are among the many organizations focusing on the plight of bumble bees, butterflies and the many other bugs that pollinate more than 70% of the world’s crops. In celebration of National Pollinator Week, June 20-26, Great River Energy is proud to announce its next pollinator habitat project. “Later …
Great River Energy announces next pollinator habitat project Read More »
Great River Energy has sufficient resources to serve its membership, but expected weather challenges may warrant added measures to maintain reliability of the larger grid Last week, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) issued its 2022 Summer Reliability Assessment. In it, NERC — the United States’ authority on electric reliability — warned that several …
Grid authorities issue warnings about summer energy demand Read More »
Early May damage to the electric system included second-most damaging event in Great River Energy’s history Great River Energy is well on the road to recovery after three rounds of severe storms took a heavy toll on its power line system. According to WCCO-TV, the stretch of damaging, back-to-back severe storms Minnesota experienced on May …
If you were to start an electric company from scratch, what would it look like? Great River Energy President and Chief Executive Officer David Saggau has described his vision for the ideal power provider for Minnesota’s cooperative members. “You would start with a portfolio of renewable energy resources at locations throughout the Midwest,” Saggau said. …
As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, Great River Energy is issuing this important safety reminder. Severe weather can cause damage to power lines, leaving what can be dangerous situations until crews can make repairs and restore power. “If you see a downed power line, call 911 to report it immediately and stay away. There …
Great River Energy uses 10 industry-accepted reliability indices to measure transmission reliability to its 28 member-owner cooperatives. New records were set for eight of those measurement in 2021, resulting in one of the best years for Great River Energy’s reliability on record. “Unusually mild weather in the state and our investments in the grid contributed …
2021: A great year for Great River Energy’s reliability Read More »