Learning the ins and outs of electrical transformers

At MMUA’s December Transformer School, participants learned the basics of transformers including turns ratios, polarities, calculations, and connections.

 Here, a learner makes a connection on the miniature transformer banks.

Look ahead at upcoming events on the MMUA events page to get in on MMUA's 2025 opportunities for professional education.

California municipal water district representative talks water demand during area wildfires

As news of the devastating wildfires has swept the country over the last week, municipal water utilities in California have been under intense scrutiny. Rumors and misinformation have complicated an already difficult service situation.

“The demand on these systems is outpacing the ability of the systems to replenish water,” says Mike McNutt, Public Affairs and Communications Manager at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, which is located in the northwest part of Los Angeles County.

The Palisades fire particularly affected the water district. McNutt describes the fires as being similar to living through a hurricane, with limits to what can be achieved in the middle of strong winds. He noted that when fires burn out a building, water continues to flow to these buildings because the meters are still open. They will remain open until they are able to be manually turned off.

This is one of the major factors that led to water supplies being impacted as firefighters attempted to fight these fires. However, McNutt says their systems are functioning with no water sources running dry. Learn more here.

Public hearings begin on Minnesota Power/Allete deal

On January 10, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) began holding virtual public meetings to collect the public’s input on the proposed merger of Allete, Inc., the parent company of Minnesota Power, with Canada Pension Plan Investments and Global Infrastructure Partners.

The hearings are required to help the PUC determine whether the state is consistent with the public interest. Learn more here.

Minnesota Senator Nick Frentz looks for bipartisan energy work this legislative session

Senator Nick Frentz, DFL—North Mankato, chaired the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee over the past two years. This year, he is looking to work together with the Republican caucus on lowering energy costs and increasing reliability as data centers and the energy transition pose challenges to these goals.

Energy efficiency is one area in which both parties think they can create solutions for Minnesotans. Learn more here.

Drones seen flying around Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant

On January 9, the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint alleging four to five drones had been seen flying around the area of the Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant.

Officers from the Red Wing Police Department and the Prairie Island Tribal Police Department responded, and were able to see the drones, but could not identify the pilots. Drones are prohibited from flying over nuclear power plants and other sensitive infrastructure. Learn more here.

Federal Funding Opportunity for Deploying Advanced Technologies

In an effort to bolster grid resilience and reliability, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Grid Deployment Office (GDO) is providing up to $35 million to utilities to engage with consulting firms or technology companies. The funding is intended to deploy advanced technologies and incorporate modeling to identify and mitigate grid vulnerabilities, enabling greater integration across diverse energy portfolios. Expected awards may up to $1 million per recipient.

To make the most of this opportunity, vendors who offer consulting services may wish to consider reviewing and discussing this opportunity with your utility contacts to gauge interest in partnering on a project. 

Applications that will be considered for the first JARVIS cohort are due April 19, 2025, at 5:00 pm EDT.

For more information on the funding opportunity, please visit TechWerx - Opportunities

A pre-recorded informational webinar is available on the TechWerx opportunity page. Office hours sessions will also be held March 12, 2025, at 2:00 pm EDT and April 9, 2025, at 3:00 pm EDT. Registration is required.

Emergency Preparedness and Restoration Conference

February 19–20

St. Cloud, MN

Make plans to join other municipal utility professionals at this interactive conference. If your utility is ever in need of receiving mutual aid or interested in traveling, in-state or out-of-state, to assist with mutual aid, this conference can help prepare you and your team to be successful. Leadership and crew personnel will gain valuable insight into the process and help MMUA improve its coordination efforts.

Topics to be covered include:

• Review Hurricane Milton efforts
• Hands-on tabletop exercise
• Mutual aid coordination and strategies
• Florida's new F-ROC billing form

Please click below to register for this valuable training opportunity. Register by January 23, 2025, for best rate.