Lindsborg takes delivery of second transformer at substation

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KMEA is assisting the City of Lindsborg to expand their existing substation with the addition of the second transformer.  In 2022 the City of Lindsborg city council authorized the purchase of the current transformer at the substation from Evergy and add a new 10 MVA transformer.   The goal for this project was to control redundancy and reliability for the city as the current transformer ages.  A key factor in the decision to purchase the old transformer was the peak load on the old transformer was reaching the limit of their 7/10 MVA transformer which serves the city.  The 10 MVA transformer was installed at the substation on Friday, August 18th with operation date expected later this fall.  By adding the second transformer, the City will have the ability to split the load between the two transformers.  It will also allow for maintenance on either transformer without having to take an outage or bring in temporary substations or generation.

4 takeaways from the grid’s record-breaking summer

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Grid monitors issued dire warnings ahead of the summer that Americans could face blackouts during an extreme heat wave — but so far, that hasn’t happened.

Why?

There isn’t a simple answer for the grid’s stability despite record-breaking heat — new wind turbines, solar panels and batteries played a major role on the hottest days, but gas and coal plants remained a bedrock. Grid operators and utilities say they’re better prepared for extreme weather. And there was a dash of luck, suggesting that the outcome could have been worse.

There’s also still plenty of summer to go, and there are signs of strain.

A heat dome continues to scorch the Midwest and Southeast. The grid operators Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which covers parts of 15 states, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued alerts this week signaling tight conditions. On Thursday, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) covering the central U.S. announced an emergency event requiring generators to take additional steps to meet demand but didn’t institute rolling blackouts.

 

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KMEA Develops New Five Year Strategic Plan

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On July 26th and 27th in Salina member city representatives, KMEA staff, and Steve VanderMeer, the moderator, worked on developing a new 5 year strategic plan for the agency.  This exercise helps define the needs of KMEA members from power supply, member services, supply chain, and operational needs of their utilities to name a few, and how KMEA can support those initiatives.  This exercise also develops the needs of KMEA from staffing, facilities, technology, equipment, etc. to help support our members.  This plan will be presented to the Executive Committee in the future and ultimately presented to the full membership for acceptance.  The goal of Strategic Plan for KMEA is to be the trusted partner providing industry-leading service and innovative solutions to our member communities.

 

KMEA Dighton Line Crew assists Garden City

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The KMEA Dighton Lineman Services crew headed to Garden City, Kansas to assist with line work July 24th through July 27th. They assisted with hauling, framing, and setting poles. They helped with moving and wiring a transformer bank, transferring service, and energizing secondary. KMEA line crew worked side by side with the Garden City crew.  Garden City is a participant in the regional line crew program that utilizes the KMEA line crew to aid in the maintenance and repair of multiple member city’s electric utility.

Biden-Harris Administration Launches Rebate Programs for Transformers and Critical Industrial Equipment

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As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $20 million to support the installation of energy efficient distribution transformers and extended product systems that use equipment with electric motors, such as pumps, air compressors, and fans. This funding, made possible by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be distributed through two rebate programs, one focused on transformers and another on extended product systems.

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KMGA Regional Meetings

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In 2023, KMGA started to organize regional meetings for the members. The regional meetings provide the opportunity for member cities and KMGA staff to meet in a small group setting.  Information and updates within the natural gas industry and KMGA are shared.  Regional meetings are a great means of meeting personnel from other member cities to build relationships and networking opportunities. The first meeting was in McPherson in May. They met twice in July, first in Humboldt and then in Spearville. The members just met a couple days ago, on August 1st in Moundridge. The last meeting of the year will be on August 15th in Osage City.

Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $200 Million in States and Tribal Nations to Modernize America’s Electrical Grid

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As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nine states and three tribal nations as the third cohort to receive a combined total of $207.6 million in Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants. Supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, these grants will help modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts of climate-driven extreme weather and natural disasters while also ensuring power sector reliability. This funding will ensure all communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity while helping deliver on the President’s ambitious clean energy goals.

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Solar for All

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On June 28, 2023, EPA released the $7 billion Solar for All Notice of Funding Opportunity. Through this competition, Solar for All will award up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment—enabling millions of low-income households to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy.

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Barry Hodges received the APPA’s Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award

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Barry Hodges, City Clerk/Administrator of the city of Minneapolis was awarded the Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award at the American Public Power Association’s annual conference held in Seattle, Washington.  This award recognizes managers of small utilities serving fewer than 2,500 meters. These managers have a very small staff and must assume multiple roles.  Congratulations to Barry for his recognition of the Larry Hobart Seven Hats award.

Mike Muirhead receives APPA’s Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award

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Mike Muirhead, Director of Public Works and Utilities for Garden City received the Mark Crisson Leadership and Managerial Excellence Award as part of the American Public Power Association’s annual conference held in Seattle, Washington.  This award recognizes managers at a utility, joint action agency, or state or regional association who steer their organizations to new levels of excellence, lead by example, and inspire staff to do better.  Mike has served in his current role leading the city through multiple projects and transitions for 12 years.  Mike has also served in leadership roles for KMEA and KMU, serving multiple officer positions in each organization.  Congratulations to Mike for this well deserved award.