Carolina Kitchen

A Brighter Future: Cooperatives work together to meet energy goals

In 2020, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives launched A Brighter Future initiative, with three main goals — providing reliable, low-carbon electricity with a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050; to incorporate innovation and technology into the grid; and to support community development to improve the lives of co-op members and strengthen the communities served by co-ops.

The power portfolio for Surry-Yadkin EMC is one provided through a partnership with the co-op’s wholesale power provider, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation. More than half the power comes from emissions-free nuclear generation. NCEMC acquires its power from a number of sources including its ownership of a 61.51-percent share of the Catawba Nuclear Station’s Unit 1 in York County, S.C.

Less than 5 percent of the co-op’s power is through coal-fired generation. The other sources of power include natural gas, renewables such as solar and wind, hydro and purchases from the wholesale market, primarily PJM, which is a regional transmission organization (RTO) serving 13 states, and wholesale suppliers such as Duke Energy, American Electric Power (AEP), Southern Power, BP Energy Company, Shell and Morgan Stanley.

Microgrids are one way the cooperatives are incorporating innovation and technology into the electric grid serving our members. At present, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives has five microgrids online. Different than a power plant, a microgrid is a small electric system that combines several energy resources and control technologies to provide power to an area. While they are connected to the main energy grid, they also can operate independent of the grid.

NCEMC’s microgrids include Ocracoke, which launched in 2017 in partnership with Tideland EMC and includes a controller, solar panels, battery storage, internet-connected smart thermostats, water heater controls and a diesel generator.

The Butler Farm microgrid, in Lillington, is a project that incorporates co-op-owned components and farm-owned resources. It utilizes biogas produced from hog waste along with solar, battery storage and a diesel generator to support the needs of the farm, as well as selling power produced through a partnership with South River EMC. The Butler Farm microgrid launched in 2018.

Two residential projects also serve as microgrids for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. Heron’s Nest in Shalotte is a partnership between developer The Adams Group and Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation, and Eagle Chase in Youngsville is being developed by NCEC in partnership with builder Winslow Homes and Wake Electric.

Heron’s Nest was the state’s first residential microgrid. The site, once fully developed, will have at least 30 homes equipped with solar panels, demand response water heaters, demand response Ecobee programmable thermostats and an option for electric vehicle charging. It also will include a larger community solar array with battery storage.

The goal of Eagle Chase is to provide enhanced electric service reliability and resiliency while reducing peak electricity costs. During outages, the microgrid will be able to support the neighborhood for up to 36 hours, and during normal operations, it remains connected to the main grid to provide power diversity and increased reliability. The residential microgrid includes a propane-powered generator and a battery system, as well as integrating smart water heater controls and homes prewired for electric vehicle charging.

The fifth microgrid is a partnership between NCEC, egg producer Rose Acre Farms and local cooperative, Tideland EMC. The project will integrate solar panels, energy storage and other NCEC-owned components with resources owned by the farm, such as existing backup diesel generators.

Agribusiness partnerships beyond microgrids also are part of the innovation and technology being incorporated by cooperatives. Locally, Surry-Yadkin EMC has partnered with Hollar and Greene Produce in Surry County on an eTRU (electric transport refrigeration unit) project. This BEST (Beneficial Electrification & Sustainable Technologies) Solution will help enhance Hollar and Greene’s operations, allowing their refrigerated trailers to be powered by electricity rather than using the onboard diesel generator for cooling during load staging. This alternative fuel technology will allow Hollar and Greene to meet sustainability goals and improve operational efficiency.

Surry-Yadkin EMC also is a participant in the Brighter Future initiatives through its solar farm in the Fairview community as well as its electric vehicle charging network. The EV network includes a DC Fast Charger at Circle K at the Zephyr Road/I-77 interchange, as well as Level II chargers at Fairfield Inn in Elkin, Hampton Inn at the Zephyr Road interchange, the Surry-Yadkin EMC main office, Surry Communications’ Dobson of-

fice, Surry Community College’s main Dobson campus and one to be installed at the Hanging Rock State Park visitors center. Additional Level II chargers are in the works in the service area as well.

Community development in Surry-Yadkin EMC’s area includes partnerships with community organizations such as Mount Airy and Lewisville fire departments for United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant (REDLG) program. Other community development efforts include Bright Ideas Education Grants, Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships, NC Youth Tour, 4-H Partnership, UNC Burn Center and the Brighter World Initiative, which sends linemen to help bring power to areas that don’t have access to electricity.

For more information on A Brighter Future, visit ncelectriccooperatives.com/brighter-future.

Where does SYEMC power come from? & What is our renewable breakdown?

Power portfolio mix

(purchased from North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation)

Renewable Energy Credit (REC) mix

Communications efforts continue to grow

Advancements in communication efforts have increased throughout the year for Surry-Yadkin EMC members. Social media has played a significant role in the delivery of information, such as power outages, employee introductions, safety tips, hours of operation, and more. Surry-Yadkin’s social media presence is through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In addition to informing members of outage repairs, co-op news and energy efficiency tips, SYEMC also uses social media as a tool to connect with members on a personal level through interactive posts. Engagement with and among members has expanded significantly through social media posts, which often times are interactive and thought-provoking — permitting the member to comment and post photos that relate to the post, print coloring pages for their children, and much more.

If you do not have a social media account, SYEMC also delivers news and important information on the new and improved website, syemc.com. The new website launched in July 2022 and is updated routinely. Available on this site are the latest podcasts, Carolina Country magazines, informational videos and any news-worthy events affecting our members and co-op family. Additionally, emails containing important updates and co-op news are sent to those who have chosen to share their email addresses with the cooperative.

As the cooperative continues to increase communications efforts, it is also significant to mention that text message alerts are a feature which will be coming to members soon. Electing to receive text messages is something that will be completely optional to members. It is also a service that allows for the delivery of news and outage updates quickly and effectively. When text alert options are available, the cooperative will notify members of its availability.