News of the week

Minnesota Power receives $50 million grant for HVDC upgrade project

Last week, the Department of Energy selected Minnesota Power (MP) for a $50 million grant to support their High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Terminal Expansion Capability project.

The HVDC upgrade project will increase transmission capacity to prepare the system for future expansion and the integration of clean energy resources. The project will also provide enhanced grid operations support, flexibility, and improved system reliability as renewable energy resources become a larger part of electricity generation on the grid. Additionally, it will leverage existing assets to advance Minnesota’s carbon reduction goals, as established by state law in 2023, requiring utilities to deliver carbon-free electricity by 2040.

MP will use the funding to modernize the terminal stations of its 465-mile transmission line that runs from Center, North Dakota, to Hermantown, Minnesota. Commissioned in 1977, the HVDC transmission system has served Minnesotans well in its more than four decades of operation. MP acquired the HVDC line in 2009 to reliably deliver nearly 500 megawatts of wind energy from its North Dakota wind sites to its customers in Minnesota. It is one of only a handful of existing long-distance HVDC lines in the country.

To read more, click here. Photo courtesy of Allumiax.

DOE launches program for clean energy in affordable housing

The Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the Affordable Home Energy Shot program to drive innovative clean energy solutions in the affordable housing sector, targeting a 50 percent reduction in decarbonization costs and a 20 percent decrease in residents' energy expenses over the next decade.

Focusing on building upgrades, efficient electrification, and smart controls, the program aims to enhance the sustainability and resilience of affordable homes while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring underserved communities benefit from the clean energy transition. The initiative seeks to address energy inefficiencies in older homes through innovative retrofit solutions, advanced aerosol air and duct sealing, and integrated ventilation packages.

To read more, click here.

Xcel Energy seeks new wind projects to replace retiring Sherco plant

Xcel Energy has announced its pursuit of approximately 1,200 MW of new wind projects in southwest Minnesota, aiming to fill the impending gap left by the decommissioning of the Sherco coal-fired plant in Becker, Minnesota, by 2030. The utility's recent call for proposals has garnered attention as one of the significant clean energy initiatives in the state, with developers required to present areas suitable for wind facilities with a nominal AC electrical output exceeding 200 MW at each location.

Xcel Energy plans to incorporate the newly acquired wind resources, along with solar and energy storage solutions, utilizing the current grid connections previously serving the Sherco plant. The proposed Minnesota Energy Connection transmission line, subject to approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, is anticipated to facilitate the transmission of 2 GW of renewable energy, including the new wind resources, to the grid at Sherco. Pending necessary approvals, the construction of the transmission line is projected to commence in late 2025 and conclude by 2028.

To read more, click here.

Upcoming webinar on air-to-water heat pumps

The Minnesota Department of Commerce Division of Energy Resources is offering a webinar on December 19 to cover key findings on air-to-water heat pump (AWHP) systems. AWHP systems are a flexible type of air source heat pump that could extend heat pump savings to more customers and integrate hot water loads. However, with this flexibility comes complexity that may hinder adoption of this new technology.

In response, the Center for Energy and Environment will share research results in this webinar to fill knowledge gaps and provide context to AWHP systems for Minnesota consumers. System configurations for serving heating, cooling, and hot water loads in cold climate single-family homes will be clarified based on recent market research. The strengths and weaknesses of commercially available AWHPs will be uncovered further by examining detailed field monitoring results of four AWHP retrofits in Minnesota. These field results provide real-world data on the cost-effectiveness and energy saving capabilities of AWHPs in cold climates.

Click here for more information and to register for the webinar.

Funding opportunities

Sign up for the Department of Commerce funding opportunities newsletter

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks to work with and facilitate connections with municipal utilities. The department releases a bimonthly newsletter outlining opportunities funded by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and other federal and state energy programs. Interested in partnering with the department on funding opportunities or have questions? Stay updated by clicking here to subscribe to the newsletter or email them at fedquestions.commerce@state.mn.us.

Looking ahead

2023 Technical and Operations Conference

Registration for the Technical & Operations Conference (T&O) is open. The event will be held from December 5-7 at the Holiday Inn in St. Cloud.

The T&O Conference is designed to offer useful information to superintendents, general managers, supervisors, and crew leads about industry trends, workforce challenges, and fostering a culture of safety. The conference theme is "Lead to Succeed," focusing on helping your utility develop leaders from the frontline through all levels of the organization.

For the best rate, register by November 10. The deadline for online registration is November 17. Associate members should consider becoming an exhibitor at the T&O trade show. There are a few sponsorship opportunities remaining as well. Please reach out to Christian Glanville with any questions. Don't delay! The hotel block closes on November 4.

Transformer School

Registration is now open for Transformer School, which will be held from January 23-26. Lineworkers and other electric utility personnel involved with transformer installation and operation can benefit from this well-rounded program. This school has been rescheduled from December due to instructor availability.

Transformer School will cover three-phase transformer connections. In addition to classroom instruction, participants will troubleshoot and make repairs on miniature transformer banks. Click here for more information and registration. The Pre-Conference will cover basic single-phase transformer connections and theory. This optional course is ideal as a "refresher" on the basics. Please note: separate registration is required for the pre-conference. Register by December 21 for the best rate.

As always, thank you for your association with MMUA and your commitment to delivering excellent service through locally owned utility assets in your community. Have a great week!

Christian Glanville

Marketing and Member Relations Manager

Direct: 763.746.0727 / Cell: 612.655.0598

Fax: 763.551.0459

cglanville@mmua.org | www.mmua.org

To download a copy of this email, click here.