Balanced Energy Mix Met Summer Demand and is Ready for Winter

This past summer, Lake Region’s wholesale provider, Great River Energy (GRE), was able to meet high electricity demands because of its well-rounded energy mix including a growing fleet of wind resources backed up with natural gas peaking plants.

Peaking plants, essential during times of high demand, are designed to quickly ramp up electricity production when needed. With natural gas producing about half as much carbon dioxide as coal, they support renewable energy adoption without compromising reliability or environmental considerations. Even during this year’s relatively mild summer, GRE’s peaking plants helped ensure grid reliability on 49 days from June through August.

Flexibility for Winter Reliability

As we transition into the colder months, generation flexibility remains critical. Most of GRE’s peaking plants operate on fuel oil if natural gas becomes supply constrained or too expensive. This ensures that homes stay warm and businesses continue to operate without interruption, even during challenging winter conditions such as February 2021, when the central United States experienced below-freezing temperatures from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.

To further enhance reliability, GRE is upgrading its Cambridge Energy Center by adding this same dual-fuel capability. Cambridge will also be home to the first commercial deployment of Form Energy’s long-duration iron-air battery. This breakthrough technology is capable of storing and discharging energy over several days, surpassing traditional capabilities — a key reliability asset during extreme weather events in the future. Both projects are expected to be completed by 2025.

A Commitment to Innovation and Sustainability

Through a diverse energy portfolio, upgrades to existing resources, and a continuous focus on innovation, GRE is well-prepared to meet the needs of LREC and its members – not just this winter, but for many years to come.