{"id":10452,"date":"2023-04-05T12:34:48","date_gmt":"2023-04-05T17:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.electric.coop\/?page_id=10452"},"modified":"2024-08-13T12:14:50","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T17:14:50","slug":"energy-innovation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.electric.coop\/issues-and-policy\/energy-innovation","title":{"rendered":"Energy Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The way we power our world is changing. The future calls for a more reliable, resilient and responsible energy system that both powers\u2014and empowers\u2014local communities. America\u2019s not-for-profit electric cooperatives are building this future today. They\u2019re strengthening our nation\u2019s power grid while pioneering innovative ways to live, learn and earn in communities across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through pivotal partnerships, research initiatives and infrastructure investments, electric co-ops are <strong>ensuring energy reliability, embracing responsibility<\/strong> and <strong>empowering consumers<\/strong> with next-generation technologies. And they\u2019re doing it in ways that make sense for their communities. It\u2019s what they\u2019ve always done: Keep the lights on at a cost their &nbsp;members can afford while paving new pathways to prosperity for their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-119f058171182e29ff0f7904354985d6\" id=\"h-ensuring-energy-reliability\" style=\"color:#35bbc3\"><strong>Ensuring Energy Reliability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From state-of-the-art power plants and transmission lines, to long-duration battery storage and microgrid systems, to the use of innovative technology to prevent outages and hasten recovery after storms, electric co-ops are delivering more reliable services to consumers while making our electric grid more resilient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Big Rivers Electric Corp.:<\/strong> A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.burnsmcd.com\/news\/coal-to-gas-conversion-big-rivers-electric\">coal-to-gas conversion<\/a> at the Robert D. Green Generating Station in Kentucky now ramps up twice as fast using natural gas, maintaining reliability while reducing emissions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jeff Davis Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> Construction of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.electric.coop\/louisiana-co-op-is-using-fema-grant-to-harden-its-system-against-hurricanes\">105-mile transmission line<\/a> in Louisiana, including 10 substations and two switching stations, will improve storm resiliency. Completion is expected by June 2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flint Energies:<\/strong> A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.army.mil\/article\/264527\/partnership_powers_microgrid_infrastructure_at_fort_benning\">microgrid<\/a> consisting of 15 natural gas generators provides up to two weeks of backup power for a U.S. Army base in Georgia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rappahannock Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/eastpointenergy.com\/brokenburg-bess\/\">Brokenburg Battery Energy Storage System<\/a> can power 1,000 homes for eight hours. It\u2019s the first grid-scale energy storage project by a Virginia electric co-op.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Northeastern Rural Electric Membership Corp.:<\/strong> Members of this Indiana co-op are saving money thanks to Northeastern REMC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nremc.com\/Areas_largest_energy_storage_project_gains_attention_from_local_legislators\">battery storage project<\/a>, one of the largest in the region. The batteries are charged when electric costs are low and can help meet electric needs during times of peak demand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pedernales Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> This Texas electric co-op uses an <a href=\"https:\/\/texascooppower.com\/drones-an-overview\/\">unmanned aerial system<\/a> to complete line inspections 23 times faster than manual inspections.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wildfire Assessment and Resilience for Networks:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2023-10\/DOE-GRIP-Holy-Cross-Energy.pdf\">WARN<\/a> project uses advanced analysis to reduce wildfire risks in 39 areas served by co-ops in 16 central and western states.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Great River Energy:<\/strong> More than <a href=\"https:\/\/greatriverenergy.com\/power-generation-resources\/co-ops-register-virtual-power-plant-in-regional-capacity-market\/\">370,000 residential appliances<\/a> including air conditioners, water heaters and heat pumps have been voluntarily enrolled into demand response programs operated by Great River Energy and its 27 member cooperatives. Great River Energy can \u201ccycle\u201d these appliances to reduce electricity demand during periods of high stress in exchange for a reduced electric rate or other incentives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Delaware Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.delaware.coop\/btp\">Beat the Peak program<\/a> helps keep electric rates affordable by asking members to conserve energy when the cost to purchase and produce power is high. Members receive billing credits for enrolling thermostats and electric vehicles and can use an app to track the money they\u2019re saving.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e7183d3c253e3bdfee8f8f38b7829370\" id=\"h-embracing-responsibility-nbsp-nbsp\" style=\"color:#35bbc3\"><strong>Embracing Responsibility &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Co-ops are advancing cutting-edge carbon management and other technologies to reduce their environmental impacts\u2014and supporting their communities as they do the same. Over the past decade, electric co-op renewable energy capacity has skyrocketed 192%, with co-ops owning or purchasing about 10% of renewable capacity in the U.S. Co-ops also lead the electric utility sector in the number of community solar programs nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Minnkota Power Cooperative:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.projecttundrand.com\/\">Project Tundra<\/a>, one of the world\u2019s largest carbon capture facilities, will capture and permanently store 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually in North Dakota. That\u2019s the equivalent of taking 890,000 gasoline-powered cars off the road.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Basin Electric Power Cooperative:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basinelectric.com\/News-Center\/news-releases\/carbon-capture-project-at-dry-fork-station-begins-phase-3-testing\">CarbonSAFE Project<\/a>, funded by the Department of Energy, is studying the feasibility of underground carbon dioxide<sub> <\/sub>storage in Wyoming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Buckeye Power:<\/strong> This Ohio generation co-op\u2014among others\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohiocoopliving.com\/hidden-value\">converts a byproduct of sulfur dioxide<\/a> into synthetic gypsum, which is used in wallboard, fertilizer and other products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> Students across the country are getting a clean ride to school thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.electric.coop\/along-those-lines-electric-school-buses\">electric school buses<\/a> funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative helped bring the first one to Missouri and partners with schools to support their adoption.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wolverine Power Cooperative <\/strong>and<strong> Hoosier Energy:<\/strong> Two Midwest generation and transmission co-ops reached a historic deal to <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/michigan-nuclear-plant-restart-276a7d06e639d66d434e393b42b4d392\">recommission a nuclear plant<\/a> for the first time in the nation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Western Farmers Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> This Oklahoma co-op is developing the <a href=\"https:\/\/oaec.coop\/2020\/12\/wfec-skeleton-creek-wind-project\/\">Skeleton Creek Project<\/a>, the nation\u2019s largest combined wind and solar energy and battery storage site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Central Iowa Power Cooperative:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/solarbuildermag.com\/news\/wapello-solar-project-becomes-largest-solar-project-in-iowa\/\">Wapello Solar Project<\/a> is the largest in Iowa and one of the largest in the Midwest. It can power 21,000 homes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Laclede Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> This Missouri co-op has <a href=\"https:\/\/americanhomefront.wunc.org\/news\/2023-04-13\/the-military-is-converting-to-electric-vehicles-on-bases-but-charging-them-remains-a-challenge\">signed a contract with Fort Leonard Wood<\/a> to help the U.S. army base transition its non-tactical vehicles to all-electric by 2035.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> An $865,000 investment helped create <a href=\"https:\/\/www.electric.coop\/idaho-co-op-helps-launch-ev-charging-network-made-up-of-8-western-states#:~:text=On%20Sept.,Nevada%2C%20New%20Mexico%20and%20Utah.\">ChargeWest<\/a>, a vehicle charging network through eight states with chargers near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Seminole Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> This Florida co-op\u2014which already operates its Cooperative Solar facility\u2014is working with Florida Renewable Partners to build new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seminole-electric.com\/seminole-contracts-solar-facilities-with-florida-renewable-partners\/\">solar generating facilities<\/a> that will power approximately 60,000 homes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9bf470b1a22af8192aa7e45b8ce9dc2b\" id=\"h-empowering-consumers-and-communities\" style=\"color:#35bbc3\"><strong>Empowering Consumers and Communities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Innovative co-op programs are empowering consumers to make more informed energy choices. Electric co-ops are also on pace to connect 3.6 million homes with world-class gigabit fiber optic broadband by 2027, alongside other investments that support economic growth. These investments ensure that co-op communities remain great places to live, learn and earn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ouachita Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oecc.com\/help\">HELP PAYS<\/a> program offers Arkansas homeowners a financing tool for energy efficiency upgrades, with average monthly savings of 20%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vermont Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> The co-op\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/vermontelectric.coop\/energy-transformation-programs#:~:text=VEC%20offers%20bill%20credits%20to,expensive%20over%20the%20long%20term.\">Energy Transformation Program<\/a> offers free Level 2 chargers and bill credits for induction cooktops, plug-in EVs, heat pumps, pellet stoves and more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bandera Electric Cooperative:<\/strong> This Texas co-op\u2019s trademarked <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cooperative.com\/remagazine\/articles\/pages\/thinking-big-bandera-ec-apolloware-app-puts-demand-response-in-members-hands.aspx\">Apolloware app<\/a> allows consumers to monitor and control their electricity usage in real time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diamond State Networks:<\/strong> In May 2022, 13 Arkansas electric cooperatives joined together to invest $1.6 billion in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telecompetitor.com\/meet-diamond-state-networks-an-arkansas-statewide-fiber-network\/\">fiber network infrastructure<\/a> to serve 600,000 new locations.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Great Lakes Energy Cooperative:<\/strong> This Michigan co-op is using part of $182 million in infrastructure funding to install a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganfarmnews.com\/-270m-coming-to-connect-mi-customers-to-electric-grid-broadband-service\">2,420-mile fiber backbone communication network<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Broadband Cooperatives of South Carolina:<\/strong> Eight electric co-ops joined forces with local telephone cooperatives to bring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newberryobserver.com\/news\/41010\/electric-telephone-cooperatives-join-forces-for-broadband-expansion\">high-speed internet<\/a> to unserved areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>North Carolina Electric Cooperatives:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncelectriccooperatives.com\/economic-development\/economic-development-sites\/\">Cooperative Ready Sites<\/a> is an online resource that identifies development-ready lots for commercial and industrial investment in North Carolina.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Electric co-ops embrace locally led solutions that strengthen America\u2019s electric grid.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"parent":5763,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page_issue_policy.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"class_list":["post-10452","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-energy-innovation"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - 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