Connexus Energy Blog

Minnesota’s power grid is successfully weathering the cold

Historic winter weather in Texas and other parts of the country means an increased demand for electricity. Blackouts and rotating outages in Texas may have you wondering about reliability here in Minnesota. How is our power grid? Is Connexus Energy equipped to handle a similar situation? What effect does renewable energy have on reliability? The short answer is … Minnesota utilities are handling it. This weather is nothing new to us. Here’s some information about our power grid and how it differs from Texas.

Reliability during Polar Vortex

There have been no market issues with the power grid that serves Minnesota during this latest Polar Vortex.

• Minnesota is part of a larger electric grid, MISO North, that powers many states, which allows us to share any increased load or demand for power. Texas’ power grid is isolated from the rest of the country. At no point during the recent cold snap were rolling blackouts even considered in MISO North. MISO requests for targeted times for conservation have been successful.
• Connexus Energy’s distribution system, along with our power supplier, Great River Energy’s (GRE) generation and transmission systems are designed to provide reliable electricity in extremely cold weather.

Reliability with the addition of renewables

Renewable energy is actually helping us weather this latest Polar Vortex in Minnesota. 

• Minnesota’s renewable energy is reliable. We’ve learned how to operate wind turbines in severe weather. 
• Connexus’ solar arrays and battery storage have performed well during the past few weeks. In fact, they have been very productive. 
• The power grid will increasingly be served by wind and solar but the change-over in generation is being carefully and methodically managed. Connexus, GRE, and MISO North are all working together to make sure that our members and the entire region have sufficient energy, capacity, and transmission.

Thank you

Thank you to our members who are on load management programs. You help us save energy on days when electricity is most expensive. In return, you see the savings on your bill. For information on our programs visit us at connexusenergy.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2020

For more information contact:
Samantha Neral, Communications Specialist
Phone: 763.323.2636
E-mail: samanthan@connexusenergy.com

Connexus Energy held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 17, celebrating the start of construction on its 3 MW solar project in Baldwin Township.

Those involved with the building and permitting of Sunflower I – Baldwin Renewable Station, attended the ceremony. They included representatives from Connexus Energy, Baldwin Township, City of Princeton, Sherburne County, Prairie Restorations, Inc., and EDF Renewables, the solar developer. Representatives from nearby U.S. Distilled Products, were also at the event. They are looking forward to the additional renewable energy that will be available.

Sunflower I, aptly named because of the single axis tracking panels, which like sunflowers, turn and follow the sun, will be located on 16 acres at the Prairie Restorations site. The new solar array is expected to be complete later this year or early next year. It will produce 5,400 MWh of annual energy which is equivalent to the usage of 530 homes.

This is Connexus Energy’s 4th solar project, following the successful completion of it’s solar plus battery storage projects in Ramsey and Athens Township. There is also another community solar garden at Connexus headquarters in Ramsey.

Interested in getting more renewable energy for your home or business? Find out more.

Connexus Energy is the largest member-owned utility in Minnesota providing electricity and related products and services to approximately 136,000 homes and businesses in portions of Anoka, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Sherburne, and Washington counties. Additional information about Connexus Energy is available online at connexusenergy.com.

From our plans for more renewable energy to a spotlight on a local brewery, our summer 2020  newsletter is filled with stories that are meaningful to our members. And, of course, we have recipes, including one for your favorite four-legged friend. If you didn’t get your newsletter in the mail, check it out. It’s all here.