Reliability Challenges as Power Supply Tightens - Menard ...
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Reliability Challenges as Power Supply Tightens
Members may recall energy traffic managers on an interstate renewable-based (solar and wind). These
that prior to coming highway system, regulating the number types of electricity supply resources have
to Menard Electric, I of cars – in this case, units of electric- been included in the energy profile
worked for our power ity – to a destination. In our area, the for many decades, yet only in the past
supplier Prairie Power, regional transmission organization is several years have they attributed to a
Inc. My role was key in the Midcontinent Independent System noticeable share of the total supply.
managing many inter- Operator (MISO) which covers 15 U.S. Renewable resources are of course
actions they have with States and the province of Manitoba. controlled by nature instead of peo-
the regional wholesale Each day, and days in ple, which leads to a
energy market. advance of each day, the “As we transition away complication when it
Alisha Anker
I am dating myself reliability coordinators from carbon, it will be very comes to dispatch-
General Manager
here, but the experi- at MISO assess the ing their output in a
ence I have with these wholesale risk an imbalance may important to monitor and balancing equation.
markets was spurred in the late 1990s occur and take mea- control the pace of change” As storage and other
when FERC approved a standard mar- sures to mitigate that dynamic technologies
ket design. Some enjoy reading cheesy risk. Mitigation measures may include develop, become more affordable, and
romance novels in their spare time, I pre-committing generation assets that accommodate large-scale needs, renew-
have instead for decades geeked out require extended start-up times or able resources must also be redesigned
at reading FERC Orders and rulings temporarily delaying a generator from to fulfill the need to balance dynami-
concerning such markets. entering a planned outage. Again, the cally-changing loads on a day-to-day
In each wholesale energy market goal of the RTO is to deliver reliable basis, not to mention during extreme
region, a complex network of electric- cost-effective electricity across the grid weather events.
ity generators, multitude of loads, and each hour of each day. For many hours of the February cold-
thousands of miles of transmission Despite excellent planning and coor- snap in our State, approximately 75% of
lines operate in synch to try and ensure dination, in rare cases the possibility the power supply mix was provided from
enough electricity is available every of an imbalance condition becomes carbon-based generation assets. As we
hour of every day of every year, when we imminent. In such cases a call for rolling transition away from carbon, it will be
need it. Each market has an objective power interruptions or rolling blackouts, very important to monitor and control
to promote efficiencies in power delivery such as those experienced by Texas the pace of change, for the good of the
while maintaining system reliability. consumers during the February extreme grid and the continuance of a quality
This objective is becoming harder and cold weather event, may be made. of life our member-consumers have
harder to accomplish as the nature of These events are referred to as Energy come to enjoy. This transition will be
our grid evolves. Emergency Alerts, so-called “max-gen” a challenge. It will be complex. It will
Electricity generation (supply) and the events, when supply (electric generation) include new large-scale alternatives and
load (demand) must always match instan- can fall short to the point of being on the advances in energy storage.
taneously in real time, while not overload- verge of not keeping up with actual and Until such enhancements are feasible,
ing the network of electric transmission future demand (load) forecasts. In the the resources of today’s energy fleet -
facilities which comprise the grid. MISO region, there were six max-gen coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy
Any imbalance in load and genera- events called from 2006-2016. Since facilities - must continue to operate.
tion whatsoever, may cause the grid to 2016, there have been 15, including three Diversity is key in any portfolio, espe-
collapse. Accomplishing the mission last July and August alone. cially an energy portfolio. Embracing
is really a matter of electrical physics, The factors underlying each of these this diversity and controlling the rate of
sound engineering, and proactive action. events were unique, however with the change to a carbon-free energy portfolio
Regional transmission organiza- move away from dispatchable carbon- to keep the grid reliable and available
tions (RTOs) coordinate, control and based generation resources (coal and for all of us is crucial. Availability of
monitor the electric grid across several natural gas), much of the newer replace- the electricity we all desire is truly the
states in a region. Think of them as ment generation has been and will be most cost-effective option.
MAY 2021 • ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 20A
May is Electrical Safety Month
Family home electrical safety checklist
Get the whole family involved using this checklist to ensure everyone is safely using electricity in your home.
No extension cords are used long-term
Outlets & power strips are not overloaded
Light switch & outlet covers are unbroken
Safety checklist
Outlets are tamper resistant; unused outlets have safety caps installed
Non-working, unusually warm & buzzing outlets reported to an
electrician
Circuit breaker box is labeled correctly
Washer/dryer do not move excessively & dryer lint is removed after
each use
Electronics/washer/dryer/refrigerator have room for air circulation
Electrical cords are in good condition, are placed out of walking areas,
& are not under rugs/furniture or hanging from tables/counters
Countertop appliances are located away from sinks/tubs/showers
GFCI outlets are installed in bathrooms, kitchens, garages & outdoors;
are tested regularly
Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors are in working order
Small appliance cords are unplugged when not in use
See www.esfi.org or
Phone/tablet chargers are original to devices, unplugged when not
www.safeelectricity.org for more
in use, not used on devices left in beds or under pillows & are never
used with damp hands or near water
Election of Directors
Petitions will be available for pickup at the office Monday,
SAVE THE
May 3, 2021. The vote will be held at the Annual Meeting to
elect one member to serve each district up for election.
Due to the cancellation of last year’s annual meeting and
DATE
election, Districts 3, 7 and 8 will be up for election for a two-
year term. Seeking re-election are incumbents Jodine ( Jodie)
Tate, District 3; Michael (Mike) Patrick, District 7; and Warren
Goetsch, District 8.
Districts 2, 5 and 9 will be up for election for a three-year
August 5, 2021
term. Seeking re-election are incumbents Gary Martin, District
2; D. Jay Frye, District 5; and Donald (Chuck) McMillan,
District 9. Annual Meeting
For some additional information on the job duties of a
Director and a map of District areas see our website www.
of Members
menard.com or call the office at 800-872-1203.
20B ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • WWW.ICL.COOPWHAT’S ON
THAT POLE?
This illustration shows the basic equipment found on electric utility poles.
The equipment varies according to the location and the service they provide.
PRIMARY WIRES
Primary wires carry 7,200 volts of
electricity from a substation. That voltage is
60 times higher than the voltage that runs
through your home’s electrical outlets!
SURGE ARRESTORS
These protect the transformer
from lightning strikes.
INSULATORS
INSULA
INSUL ATORS
prevent
Insulators pr
p revent
NEUTRAL WIRE energized
ener
ene wires
rgized wi
wir ffrom
res fr rom
The neutral wire acts as a line back contacting each other
to the substation and is tied to the or the pole.
ground, balancing the electricity
on the system.
SECONDARY SERVICE DROP GUY WIRE
Carries 120/240-volts of electricity to Tensioned cable adds
consumers’ homes. It has two “hot” wires from stability to pole to
the transformer and a bare “neutral” wire that’s withstand winds and
connected to the ground wire on the pole. weight of facilities.
TRANSFORMER It spans from the
GROUND WIRE pole to the ground
The ground wire connects to the Transforms high
voltages to at some distance.
neutral wire to complete the circuit
inside the transformer. It also directs low voltages
electricity from lightning safely into for home use.
the earth.
TELEPHONE, CABLE
TV, AND FIBER WIRES NEVER NAIL POSTERS OR
These are typically the OTHER ITEMS TO UTILITY
lowest wires on the pole. POLES. THESE CREATE A
SAFETY HAZARD FOR
LINEWORKERS.
Original illustration by Erin Binkley
Altered to include Guy Wire &Transformer
MAY 2021 • ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 20CBoard highlights For full minutes visit www.menard.com or
February 24, 2021
• All Directors, exception Jodine Tate, • Anker reviewed monthly & YTD financial in 2020 on the co-op system.
present in person or remotely; also General operating report, balance sheet & financial • G o e t s c h d i s c u s s e d B y L a w Po l i c y
Manager Anker & Attorney Smith. trends. Operating margins YTD as of 1/31 Committee Mtg. Possible late fee changes
• Appointed Director Ryan active secretary were $790,853 compared to $838,782 last discussed. Possible new policy concerning
as Director Patrick present remotely. year; equity at 41.85%; 12-mo TIER 2.35 Net Billing of Excess Member-Generated
& DSC 1.57. Electric Energ y ; discussed several
• Approved Petefish Skiles Corporate
Authorization Resolution. • Reviewed Member Svs report; operations examples and interconnection sizes.
report w/224 incidents, longest outage 445 Committee will meet again to discuss
• Approved Electric System Construction
minutes, largest # affected was 543. before recommending options to the
Summary & Contract with L. E. Myers.
• Presented Alternative Energy Report with Board next month.
• Reviewed Power Line Right of Way
a summary of members who installed • Next Mtg 3/23/21.
Clearance & Vegetation Management
alternative energy & advised total of
Plan & approved Contract with Wright
alternative energy received from members
Tree Service.
Sharing Success
Grant Opportunity
Deadline June 1st
Do you represent a 501(c)(3) charity Alycia Clifton, Receptionist
or organization serving a public pur-
pose in the local communities within
the Menard Electric service territory?
Easy Spring Chicken
• 1 boneless/skinless chicken
As a co-op, one of our core values is
breast
Commitment to Community. We
• Cooking oil
partner with CoBank’s Sharing Success
• 3 pieces of asparagus
Program each year to provide funding
• 2 small pieces of tomato
to local projects sponsored by eligible
• 1 slice mozzarella cheese
organizations in need. These might
• 1 slice bacon, cooked until crisp
include schools, government agencies,
• Salt & pepper, or favorite
service/civic organizations, fairgrounds
seasonings as desired
and many more. Have a project? Contact
us for details before June 1 at 800-872- Cut chicken breast lengthwise to cre-
1203 or info@menard.com ate a pocket; be careful not to cut all
the way through. Roll asparagus and
tomato up in the slice of mozzarella
Memorial Day and stuff inside the chicken breast.
Monday, May 31st Season with salt and pepper or add
favorite seasonings as desired. Close
chicken is fully cooked. Add bacon.
Make as many or as few as you need.
Office Closed the pocket with a toothpick. Heat
Today and every day we celebrate the oil in a skillet and add chicken to Alycia says, “Some people use Pinterest or
extraordinary service, commitment sear, 3-5 minutes per side. Place in Google to find recipes; I ask my stepdad Donnie.
and courage of those heroes who gave an oven-safe dish and bake at 350 This recipe is simple to make and looks classy too
the ultimate sacrifice. degrees for 15-20 minutes or until if you have friends over for dinner.”
1-800-872-1203 14300 State Hwy 97 www.menard.com
info@menard.com PO Box 200, Petersburg, IL 62675 facebook.com/MenardElectric
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
20D ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • WWW.ICL.COOPThe Choice Is Yours
etWise Budget Billing
g A set amount is paid each month of the budget billing cycle.
Bud
On the designated true-up month a credit or additional
amount due is applied based on the actual electrical Now is the perfect
usage for the cycle. This option is great for members time to apply for this
who want a consistent payment amount 11 months summer’s budget
of the year and pairs well with our automatic payment billing cycle!
option.
Want to be BudgetWise?
Average Billing
Call 800-872-1203 The monthly amount due is based on a 12-month rolling average use
or email of electricity. The amount due could fluctuate monthly but dramatic
info@menard.com changes will be spread across multiple months. This option is great for
for details to sign up. those who do not mind monthly changes.
e 3 Offic Drop
Phon 0-872-120 e
M-F a is open 8 Off
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us 2 4/7 a 6 to pay b eck. availa d secure a.m.-4:30
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Automatic Payment Go Paperless!
Deduct your monthly payment Log on to your online account,
from a savings or checking choose Account Management,
account automatically on the select the Paperless Options
10th, 17th or 24th. See the tab, and check the Email and
back of your payment stub or Paperless Bill boxes.
menard.com for the form.
4 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • WWW.ICL.COOPYou can also read
