CapX 2020 receives State of MN approval
CapX 2020 and Wind Energy

SE Minnesota County Welcomes Wind Energy

 

 

SE Minnesota County Welcomes Wind Energy

WINONA, Minn. (AP)  January 11, 2009- Winona County in southeastern Minnesota is one of the first counties in the state to use wind power, in an effort to use more renewable forms of energy and generate income.

The project includes two wind turbines that could produce about 1.5 five megawatts of energy, enough to power about 600 homes. Officials also project the turbines would generate about $1 million for the county and $3 million for a private investor.

The project would cost about $3.5 million and is expected to be operating by June. In the end, the county will pay about $36,000. State grants will cover some of the cost, with the rest financed by an unnamed private investor, who local officials hope will complete an agreement with the county next month.

"It's going to be really hard to believe," said Linda Grover, director of Winona County's Economic Development Authority. "We've waited so long and nearly given up so many times that when those blades come rolling in on the trucks, it's going to be quite a cause for celebration."

Winona County's effort to bring wind power to the area hasn't been easy.

At first, county officials wanted to build the turbines themselves, but they didn't have the legal authority. They also needed private investors. State lawmakers passed a special bill to allow the county to create a limited liability company, which gave the county authority to partner with the private sector to raise money.

They've also signed an agreement with Xcel Energy, which will buy the power the county's turbines produce. That energy would go toward powering nearby homes.

CapX 2020 receives State of MN approval

On Thursday April 16th, 2009 the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) issued a Certificate of Need for the CapX 2020 project. The Certificate of Need grants approval for the erection of three 345 kV transmission lines that will traverse the state of Minnesota. However, the approval states that only the Brookings, SD, to Hampton, MN, line may be designated to carry wind energy.

While CapX 2020 advocates are excited that the PUC’s decision will help increase the reliability of the nation’s power grid and help reduce carbon emissions through increased efficiency in the lines, many wish more would have come out of the decision. Wind advocates would like to see more of the lines carry wind energy, since Minnesota needs to more than triple its installed wind energy capacity in order to achieve Minnesota’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES). The law requires that 25% of retail electricity sold in the state come from renewable sources by 2025. To adhere to this mandate, new high-voltage transmission must be constructed to carry renewable energy across the state to load centers. Furthermore, utilities would like greater flexibility in determining which lines could be used for wind energy. Beth Soholt, the Executive Director of Wind on the Wires, probably describes the common feeling by CapX 2020 advocates best when she says, “we certainly wanted more… but we think this is a balanced decision.”

On the flip side, those who opposed the project from its impetus are disappointed that the project has come this far and advocate for investment in smart grid and localized generation technologies instead.

One thing seems clear, as with any decision – it is hard to satisfy everyone, particularly when a project has as many intricacies as the CapX 2020 project. However, as we look to improve the transmission issues associated with increasing our country’s installed wind capacity, it is clear that relying on a single solution is not the answer. Our nation needs both smart grid technologies and localized generation combined with an updated electrical infrastructure to efficiently carry large amounts of clean, carbon free energy to where it is needed.

 

CapX 2020 and Wind Power

 

Wind energy in the Midwest is one step closer towards developing the necessary infrastructure changes that will support greater wind energy on the power grid! From June 2008 until January 2009, Administrative Judge Beverly Jones Heydinger held hearings to gather public comments on the need for three of the proposed CapX 2020 transmission line projects. After reviewing the numerous public comments that have been submitted both in written form and throughout various hearings, on Febuary 27th, 2009, Judge Heydinger submitted a report to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The report demonstrated the need for the three proposed 345 kV projects and recommended their approval. If approved, 630 miles of 345 kV power lines will be constructed, connecting Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The three transmission line projects are

 

• the Hampton-Rochester -La Crosse, Wisconsin project,
• the Brookings County, South Dakota-Hampton project,
• and the Fargo-St. Cloud-Monticello, Minnesota project.

If developed, these transmission lines will allow larger quantities of wind energy to be delivered from production areas to load centers.

More construction of high voltage transmission infrastructure will encourage further wind energy development in these Midwestern states due to increased grid capacity. In addition, these new lines would minimize electricity loss of wind energy during transfer, making it easier for wind to compete with conventional fuel sources.

However, there is still one more hurdle to overcome.

In making her recommendation, Judge Heydinger noted that the CapX 2020 transmission lines did not have to necessarily allocate room for renewable energy.

Though the ruling did not come down on the side of the wind industry in its omission of a renewable energy mandate for the CapX2020 lines, the existing Renewable Energy Standards in Minnesota will help get renewables onto the grid. Minnesota’s Renewable Energy Standard now requires utilities to provide 25% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025. Furthermore, Minnesota’s largest utility, Xcel’s energy, is required to supply the population with 30% renewable energy by 2020. Without new high voltage transmission lines, it would be exceedingly difficult to transfer the required amount of renewable energy needed to meet these standards.

In the next few months, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold several public hearings and will decide whether there is a need for the high voltage transfer lines. If they determine there is a need, the CapX2020 projects will have to undergo a lengthy development process that includes applying for route permits and conducting environmental impact statements before the transmission lines can be built.