All Tech on Deck

Energy transition requires embracing all solutions

As calls to move toward a carbon-free electric grid continue to grow, the utility industry is faced with one of the most significant challenges in its history. Cass County Electric Cooperative continues to advocate for a commonsense approach in making this transition that ensures reliable service to our members and affordable prices for homes, farms, schools and businesses. As this transition moves ahead, it will require many different resources and technology breakthroughs – maybe even some that haven’t been thought of yet. Each utility must take its own path forward and cannot pursue all options at one time. Perhaps most importantly, this energy transition will require collaboration between utilities, states, policymakers, regulators and other key stakeholders on a scale never seen before. Considering the magnitude of the task at hand, it’s important to keep all tech on deck.

WILL THE NATION’S ELECTRIC GRID NEED RENEWABLE RESOURCES?

YES!

Wind and solar are among the fastest growing resources on America’s electric grid. Minnkota Power Cooperative, your electric cooperative’s wholesale power provider, already receives 34% of its generation capacity from wind (along with another 8% from hydro). As renewable resources continue to expand in the years ahead, it’s important that these resources are supported by a strong supply of baseload resources that can operate when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.

WILL THE NATION’S ELECTRIC GRID NEED CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY?

YES!

To maintain the reliability of America’s electric grid, coal and natural gas will need to be used for the foreseeable future. Carbon capture technology is rapidly advancing to significantly lower CO2 emissions from these resources. In fact, Minnkota is currently evaluating Project Tundra, which would equip the Milton R. Young Station with innovative technologies to capture and store carbon emissions from the coal-based power plant – a key resource in meeting your 24/7 energy needs.

WILL THE NATION’S ELECTRIC GRID NEED BATTERY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY?

Battery storage is important to a carbon-free grid because it can provide energy when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. This is because battery storage systems can store excess energy generated during periods of high production and then release it during periods of low production. Current lithium-ion technology only provides for 2-4 hours of discharge from the battery. That will need to increase to multiple days for battery storage to begin making a significant impact.

WILL THE NATION’S ELECTRIC GRID NEED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS?

WILL THE GRID NEED MORE TRANSMISSION LINES?

YES!

Nuclear power plants provide reliable, carbon-free electricity to America’s electric grid. Technological advancements have been made to improve safety, efficiency and waste management. Additionally, new reactor designs like small modular reactors are being developed that are smaller, cheaper and safer than traditional large-scale reactors.

There’s no energy transition without transmission. Billions of dollars in new power line development and other grid upgrades are planned across the Upper Midwest over the next decade. That’s only scratching the surface. Significant modernization of the electric grid will be needed to support the expansion of renewable resources and other technologies.

Check out our Pinterest page for more member recipes!

Grilled peaches

Ingredients:

1 peach, freestone (per person)

Neutral-flavored cooking oil (grapeseed or canola)

1 Tablespoon brown sugar (per peach)

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (per peach)

Preparation: Prepare the grill to medium heat. Cut the peaches in half and pit them. Lightly brush the peaches with oil, coating the cut sides well. Set the oiled peaches cut side down on the medium-hot grill. Make sure they aren’t touching so the hot air of the grill can circulate around each piece. Cook the peaches until grill marks form, turning as necessary. Then, flip the peach halves over, sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar, if using. Cook until the peaches are tender but not falling apart, about 8 minutes total (4 minutes per side).

Serve grilled peaches as a side dish, in salads, or as a dessert by pairing them with yogurt, whipped cream, crème fraiche, or with scoops of ice cream. Plums are amazing prepared this way too!

Grilled steak pizza

Ingredients:

2 cups balsamic vinegar

1¼ pound steak (skirt or flank works nicely)

Homemade or premade pizza dough

1 cup grated Fontina cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

4 ounces crumbled blue cheese, divided

½ red onion, halved and sliced

1 cup baby arugula or spinach

½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Preparation:

Grill the steak until it has reached your preference of doneness. Tent with foil and allow to rest before slicing thin. In a medium bowl, combine the Fontina, mozzarella, and half of the blue cheese.

Grilled s’mores dessert dip

Ingredients:

6 graham crackers, roughly crushed

2 cups milk chocolate chips

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mini marshmallows

Graham cracker

Strawberries

Preparation: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 450° F). Crush graham crackers. Add graham crackers crumbs to the bottom of a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. Fill skillet to about ½ inch from the top with chocolate chips. Add marshmallows on top of chocolate chips. Place on grill and cook for about 5 minutes, turn the burner off on one side, and move skillet over. Continue cooking until marshmallows are toasted. Remove from the grill and serve immediately with crackers or strawberries. For a twist on the original recipe, cut back on the chocolate chips and incorporate 6 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Roll pizza dough, sprinkle the bottom of the pizza pan with cornmeal, transfer the dough to the pan, and poke several times with a fork. Brush with garlic olive oil. Slide dough onto the grill, medium to medium-high flame, and cook for 5 minutes, rotating once. Flip the crust and cook for 2 minutes.

Remove from the grill and reduce the heat to low and close the grill. Sprinkle the crust with the blend of cheese. Top with slices of steak, sprinkle with arugula, onion, the remaining blue cheese, and drizzle with balsamic. Carefully slide back onto the grill, close the cover, and heat for an additional 5 minutes, rotating once. Slice and serve.

Intense summer storms can be beautiful to watch, yet have the potential to be very destructive. They can arise quickly, and lightning strikes, booming thunder, and torrential rain are powerful forces that, when coming in contact with utility infrastructure, can lead to power outages and damage to equipment.

Head indoors at the first sign of lightning and invest in a surge protection device for your home electronics. Here are some lightning safety tips to keep you and your family safe:

• Stay off corded phones, computers and other