The winter season is a busy one for electric cooperatives as the state of Minnesota often sees waves of heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and strong winds which all pose a threat to infrastructure. Rest assured that North Itasca Electric Cooperative and Great River Energy, our wholesale power supplier, have taken steps to prepare for whatever this winter brings. As we continue to see more extreme weather events, we have made smart investments to improve the resilience of the electric system.
In the electric industry, reliability and resilience are two different concepts, though closely related. Think of reliability as keeping the lights on and resilience as being able to withstand severe events and bounce back as quickly as possible.
Maintaining a resilient electric system has always been top of mind, but this effort has intensified over the last several years. While there are many threats to resilience, the weather extremes that come with life in the Upper Midwest are front and center for those charged with keeping the lights on 24/7. Great River Energy’s transmission employees have specific, organized efforts underway to continually address resilience so they are prepared for — and can recover as quickly as possible from — major events and ensure continued reliable electric service to its members, including North Itasca Electric Cooperative.
“We have always been concerned with resilience, but the focus now is at a new level based on the increased frequency with which we experience major weather events,” said Matt Lacey, director of transmission strategy and development at Great River Energy. “Thinking about resilience is now part of our everyday work.”
In addition to ensuring lines are built with the latest technology to withstand severe weather, Great River Energy also heavily invests in a vegetation management program, which has a large impact during wind events. Identifying vulnerabilities and keeping trees clear of the lines helps ensure that branches don’t hit or fall onto power lines, causing damage and knocking out the electricity.
Great River Energy is also studying historical weather data and maps to determine which areas of its territory are most at risk for severe weather events well into the future. Engineering design standards are also being considered.
“We believe we are in a good spot,” said Paul Woodruff, portfolio project manager at Great River Energy. “Our current design standards are robust. We’re validating our designs and looking ahead to make sure we are designing them for tomorrow’s ice loading. As we replace older power lines, we need to build them for the next 50-plus years.”
