RMEL eNews

Industry Information

Energy storage has been described as the Swiss Army knife of the electric industry. Others call it the killer app of the smart grid, or they say it is the empowering technology. Whatever it is called, energy storage has proven to be a valuable multifaceted technology.

Visit https://www.tdworld.com/energy-storage/energy-storage-unleashed to view the full article online.

Condition Monitoring in an Age of Modernization: How (and why) to Adapt

The widespread application and use of electricity, which may now seem like a simple commodity, is considered one of the greatest technical developments of all time. However, keeping up with today’s demand for power is anything but simple: a vast amount of resources goes into maintaining a reliable infrastructure.

Visit https://www.electricity-today.com/electrical-transformers/condition-monitoring-in-an-age-of-modernization-how-and-why-to-adapt to view the full article online.

Michigan Regulators Approve DTE $273M Rate Increase, EV Pilot, Net Metering Replacement

The Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday approved a $273.3 million rate increase, an electric vehicle (EV) pilot and distributed generation program for DTE Energy, though it denied the utility's proposed system access charge for solar customers.

Visit https://www.utilitydive.com/news/michigan-regulators-approve-dte-273m-rate-increase-ev-pilot-net-metering/554027/ to view the full article online.

FERC Issues Original License for 393.3-MW Swan Lake North Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has Issued an Original 50-year License for the 393.3-MW Swan Lake North Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in Klamath County, Oregon.

Visit https://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2019/05/ferc-issues-original-license-for-393-3-mw-swan-lake-north-pumped-storage-hydroelectric-project.html to view the full article online.

First Solar Slips to Q1 Loss but Sees ‘Tremendous Momentum’ in Global Solar Market

First Solar swung to a first-quarter loss due to lower project revenue and escalating costs at its engineering, procurement and construction business, but reassured investors that the roll-out of its critical Series 6 modules is proceeding as planned.

Visit https://www.energycentral.com/news/first-solar-slips-q1-loss-sees-%E2%80%98tremendous-momentum%E2%80%99-global-solar-market to view the full article online.

EERE Announces $11 Million for Small Business Phase II Projects

As part the Energy Department's (DOE) recent announcement of project selections for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research program, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced 11 projects will receive Phase II (9 SBIR and 2 STTR) funding, totaling approximately $11 million.

Visit https://electricenergyonline.com/article/energy/category/energy-efficiency/82/765576/eere-announces-11-million-for-small-business-phase-ii-projects.html to view the full article online.

DTECH Asks Experts to Share What They Know About the Future of Energy Delivery

Utilities and other energy experts convene each year at DISTRIBUTECH International (DTECH) to discuss the future of energy and this week Clarion Energy, organizer of the event, announced that the call for abstracts for the 2020 event is open.

Visit https://www.elp.com/articles/2019/04/dtech-asks-experts-to-share-what-they-know-about-the-future-of-energy-delivery.html to view the full article online.

Japanese LNG-fueled CC Power Plant Now in Operation

The first liquified natural gas-fueled (LNG) power plant owned by Hokkaido Electric Power Co. (HEPCO) has started commercial operation.

Visit https://www.power-eng.com/articles/2019/04/japanese-lng-fueled-cc-power-plant-now-in-operation.html to view the full article online.

Member Announcements

Austin Energy to Acquire Nacogdoches Biomass Facility

Austin Energy announced it has reached an agreement with Southern Power to acquire the Nacogdoches Generating Facility, a wood waste biomass-fueled power plant in East Texas, for $460 million.

Visit https://austinenergy.com/ae/about/news/press-releases/2019/austin-energy-to-acquire-nacogdoches-biomass-facility to view the full article online.

Open House at Carbon Storage Test Well at Dry Fork Station

The event was held to showcase the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project, led by the University of Wyoming (UW) and other partners to determine the feasibility of establishing a commercial-scale geological carbon dioxide (CO2) storage complex in Wyoming.

Visit https://www.basinelectric.com/news-center/news-briefs/open-house-planned-carbon-storage-test-well-dry-fork-station to view the full article online.

Black Hills Corp. Reports Strong First Quarter 2019 Results, Raises 2019 Earnings Guidance and Increases Capital Outlook

Black Hills Corp. announced financial results for the first quarter of 2019. Net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018 was: Three Months Ended Mar. 31, 2019 2018 (in millions, except per share amounts) Income EPS Income EPS GAAP: Net income from continuing operations $103.8 $1.73 $135.3 $2.50

Visit https://www.blackhillscorp.com/node/118109#.XMxZYxRKi70 to view the full article online.

CPS Energy Earns Environmental Champion Recognition for Third Consecutive Year

CPS Energy has been designated a 2019 Environmental Champion utility for the 3rd year in a row by Market Strategies-Morpace.

Visit https://newsroom.cpsenergy.com/cps-energy-earns-environmental-champion-recognition-for-third-consecutive-year/ to view the full article online.

Mary Kipp of El Paso Electric named Chair to SEPA Board

The Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) has announced the results of recent officer elections for the nonprofit’s Board of Directors. Mary Kipp, President and CEO of El Paso Electric (EPE), will be the Board’s new Chair for a one-year term, becoming the first sitting utility president and CEO to serve as Chair of the SEPA Board.

Visit https://www.epelectric.com/about-el-paso-electric/article/mary-kipp-of-el-paso-electric-named-chair-to-sepa-board to view the full article online.

KCP&L and Westar Sent 100 Linemen to St. Louis to Assist with Power Restoration

KCP&L and Westar Energy dispatched approximately 100 linemen to St. Louis to assist Ameren, Missouri with restoring power to thousands of residents in the St. Louis, Missouri area.

Visit https://www.kcpl.com/about-kcpl/media-center/2019/april/_components/kcpl-and-westar-sending-lineman-to-st-louis-to-assist-with-power-restoration to view the full article online.

LES celebrating National Electrical Safety Month

May is National Electrical Safety Month, and Lincoln Electric System is working with Electrical Safety Foundation International to launch its annual effort to help reduce electrically related fatalities, injuries and property loss. This year’s theme, “Electrical Safety during Natural Disasters,” focuses on the importance of preparing, weathering and rebuilding after natural disasters.

Visit https://www.les.com/about-les/news/view?article_id=115433 to view the full article online.

City of Norfolk, NPPD Team Up for Solar Project, Battery Storage

Approval was given on an agreement by the Norfolk City Council for the state’s largest community solar project with Nebraska Public Power District, that will be tied to a battery energy storage system (BESS) demonstration project expected to be in operation by mid-2020.

Visit https://www.nppd.com/press-releases/city-of-norfolk-nppd-team-up-for-solar-project-battery-storage to view the full article online.

PacifiCorp Updates Economic Analysis of Coal Fleet

PacifiCorp has released an updated economic study of its coal fleet that will inform how the company meets the long-term customer energy needs of its customers.

Visit https://www.rockymountainpower.net/about/nr/nr2019/coal-fleet-study.html to view the full article online.

OPPD Contracts with EnergySolutions to Support Nuclear Decommissioning

The Omaha Public Power District has entered into a contract with EnergySolutions, an industry-leading nuclear services company, to provide technical support for the safe, efficient decommissioning of OPPD’s Fort Calhoun Station (FCS).

Visit https://www.oppd.com/news-resources/news-releases/2019/april/oppd-contracts-with-energysolutions-to-support-nuclear-decommissioning/ to view the full article online.

PNM Makes Historical Announcement About New Mexico's Energy Future

Alongside New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, PNM announced they are the nation's 1st large investor-owned utility to set a goal of ensuring all our electricity is 100-percent emissions-free by 2040, dependent on regulatory approval, which is 5-years ahead of the state’s goal of 2045.

Visit https://www.pnm.com/042219-pathto100 to view the full article online.

SRP Receives Gold Award for Healthy Arizona Worksite

Salt River Project has been recognized by the Healthy Arizona Worksite Program for achieving the Gold level of excellence in worksite wellness.

Visit https://media.srpnet.com/srp-receives-gold-award-for-healthy-arizona-worksite/ to view the full article online.

Liberty Utilities Held Groundbreaking for New Bolivar Service Center

Liberty Utilities wheld a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Bolivar Service Center on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/rme-nwl/pdf/04-23-19_Liberty_Utilities_to_Hold_Groundbreaking_in_Bolivar.pdf to view the full article online.

Tri-State Highlights Strong Financial and Operational Performance at 67th Annual Meeting

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association held its 67th Annual Meeting on April 3-4 in Broomfield, Colorado, with 525 electric cooperative representatives and invited guests in attendance.

Visit https://www.tristategt.org/tri-state-highlights-strong-financial-and-operational-performance-67th-annual-meeting to view the full article online.

TEP Brings Solar Trailer to Events to Educate Customers

Some of our customers may not realize that TEP provides solar energy to their homes on a daily basis. But at public events, they can see firsthand how solar energy can power a TV, a stereo, video games and even a grill.

Visit https://www.tep.com/news/tep-brings-solar-trailer-to-events-to-educate-customers/ to view the full article online.

Connected for 80 Years

United Power was founded in 1938 to provide electric service to Colorado’s growing northern front range. Today, the service area isn’t the sparse, rural territory that farmers rallied together to energize. It’s a mix of historic farmlands, growing metropolitan suburbs and new commercial and industrial development, intersected by some of the Denver area’s busiest transportation corridors.

Visit http://www.unitedpower.com/connected-for-80-years/ to view the full article online.

Senior Executive Selected as Colorado's Top Woman in Energy

Dawn Roth Lindell, senior vice president and Rocky Mountain regional manager at Western Area Power Administration, has been selected as one of Colorado’s Top Women in Energy for 2019.

Visit https://www.wapa.gov/newsroom/NewsReleases/2019/Pages/top-woman-energy-colorado.aspx to view the full article online.

Xcel Energy Finalizes Wind Project Purchases

Xcel Energy has completed the purchase of two wind energy projects that add to its growing Upper Midwest wind energy portfolio. The 200 megawatt Blazing Star 2 wind project in southwest Minnesota and the 300 megawatt Dakota Range 1 and 2 projects in eastern South Dakota will allow Xcel Energy to continue to be a national leader in wind energy.

Visit https://www.xcelenergy.com/company/media_room/news_releases/xcel_energy_finalizes_wind_project_purchases to view the full article online.

Rocky Mountain Electrical League