People are demanding better reliability in their electricity; enough that utilities have supplemented their goals of reliability with a new term, “resilience.” Basically that means being able to get the lights back on faster after a natural disaster. That has utilities experimenting with things like utility-scale storage batteries, and more precise targeting of which customers should get power restored first. A lot of states are passing Renewable Portfolio Standards that mandate levels of green energy, creating a patchwork of requirements in the national grid. New and growing additions to the electric grid are changing the way it needs to be managed. Those new power sources include rooftop solar panels that sell electricity back to the utility, natural gas plants that require new pipelines, solar and wind farms in remote areas that need to be connected with new transmission lines, and “demand response programs” in which utilities can turn off home water heaters and air conditioners for short periods during times of peak demand. Recommendations from the study include: Updating the pricing arrangements that govern the buying and selling of electricity Improving disaster preparedness Reviewing regulations that limit the growth of power generation, especially for coal, nuclear, and hydroelectricity Focusing on workforce development as energy workers face a changing energy marketplace. Modernizing the software that manages electricity transmission Coordinating with Canada and Mexico to enhance electric reliability across all of North America The study also notes the importance of cybersecurity to the electric grid, but said that would be addressed in an upcoming joint report from the Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security. Paul Wesslund writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
Co-op leadership in the new energy reality An important new study by the U.S. Department of Energy describes how the nation’s electric utilities are balancing traditional power sources like coal and nuclear, with renewable trends like wind and solar. Member-owned electric co-ops acknowledged “this new energy reality” in a statement on the recent DOE study, by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. “The electric industry is becoming more consumer-focused as a result of evolving technology and changing consumer expectations,” says the NRECA statement in response to the DOE study, titled Staff Report to the Secretary on Electric Markets and Reliability. Co-ops are pioneering in that consumer focus by helping their members use energy more efficiently, and through research in innovative smaller utility networks knows as microgrids. The NRECA statement says, “As part of our response to this new energy reality, electric co-ops are leading the way in community solar, are developing micro-grids and are implementing energy efficiency programs.” Other fuels are needed as well, concludes the NRECA statement: “Even with these measures, coal, natural gas and nuclear power plants remain an important part of a diverse energy mix that is fundamental to ensuring reliability of service and agility of the electric system during harsh weather. Electric co-ops will continue to rely on these proven resources while integrating new energy options and consumer technology to provide more ways for our members to access affordable, dependable electricity.” — Paul Wesslund
Continued from Page 10 1,000) are currently using this option. There are two types of home dialysis treatment, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Home hemodialysis involves a procedure like that done in dialysis clinics. Hemodialysis at home must be done five or six days per week for about 2 and 1/2 hours per day. Before this can be started, a patient must go to a home dialysis training unit three or four days per week for six weeks to be trained in this procedure and must have a partner during dialysis. When the patient starts home hemodialysis, he or she must have a face-to-face meeting with their nephrologist once or twice each month. Most Alabama’s home dialysis patients use home peritoneal dialysis. A tube is used to access the patient’s peritoneum in the abdomen and a cleans32 DECEMBER 2017
Continued from Page 24 ing procedure is repeated four times to remove fluids and other substances from the blood. This must be done every night while the patient sleeps. Before this can be started, a patient must go to a home dialysis training unit for eight days of training. It is not necessary for the patient to have a partner during dialysis. When the patient starts home peritoneal dialysis, he or she meets with their nephrologist once or twice a month. Advances have allowed for some of these visits to be completed using telemedicine, if the nephrologist uses this technology. The specific procedure used for dialysis depends on the patient’s activity and lifestyle. For additional information, contact any actively practicing Alabama nephrologist.
The free online resource Encyclopedia of Alabama (encyclopediaofalabama.org) is something you were heavily involved with. You must be very proud of that. It’s the most confounding event that I, as the least technologically advanced person, was asked to oversee a completely electronic encyclopedia! It was truly a collaborative effort (between Auburn, Alabama and many museums, agencies and other groups). We started with 500 articles and I edited every single one. Until I retired, I’d read every article. I wrote the overview, the article on To Kill a Mockingbird, the book that changed my life, and I got to write the sections on religion and Alabama Baptists. There are some advantages to being the boss! If I have one legacy to leave the state, I don’t know that I’m prouder of anything more than the Encyclopedia. www.alabamaliving.coop