Peace Garden News

The recent cold snap in February highlighted the critical importance of reliable electricity in North Dakota. An interruption in electricity supply can significantly impact human life, safety, business operations, and food-related processes. Reliable electric power is also essential for healthcare, commerce, manufacturing, energy production, and national security.

However, having electricity is not sufficient; it must be efficiently transported. North Dakota is poised to expand its electric grid significantly soon.

Electricity cannot be easily stored; therefore, a robust transportation system is necessary to deliver power from generators to homes and businesses. High voltage transmission lines connect to substations and ultimately to distribution lines that reach end users. The electric grid requires careful planning and operation.

North Dakota's electrical infrastructure is supported by two regional transmission organizations: the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and the Mid-Continent Independent System Operator (MISO). These organizations gather data from utility members to conduct thorough grid reliability studies. The findings guide the expansion of the state's electrical transmission network.

The studies by SPP and MISO have identified several necessary transmission projects in North Dakota to address congestion, reliability issues, new load demands, and new generation sources. Basin Electric Power Cooperative (BEPC) completed a 35-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission project from Killdeer to Johnson's Corner in December. BEPC also has an approved plan for a 175-mile line from Leland Olds Station to Tioga and two projects connecting with Sask Power at 230 kilovolts each. These initiatives aim to accommodate load growth and enhance grid reliability.

Minnesota Power Allete is upgrading its High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) line capacity from 550 megawatts to 900 megawatts. Additionally, SPP and MISO have identified a project for a 345-kilovolt line extending from Mapleton to Big Stone in South Dakota. Grid United plans a 525-kilovolt HVDC line between Colstrip, Montana, and St Anthony/Center. Otter Tail Power Co. and MDU are working on a 100-mile line between Jamestown and Ellendale at 345 kilovolts.