Cyberattacks Shut Down Four Gas Pipeline Systems
Many of us have been victims, in one form or another, of electronic attacks on our credit cards, debit cards or various other forms of personal information. Just this week my debit card information was skimmed and used to make several purchases before the card was cancelled.
Computer hackers from all over the world continuously attempt to hack into our national infrastructure systems. Recently some hackers were successful in accessing the electronic data systems of at least four major pipelines in the U.S. forcing the pipelines to shut down their systems. The Department of Homeland Security is currently working to gather information on the attacks.
The pipeline companies do not believe that any of the customers information was compromised but who really knows what data may have been gleaned from these systems. The government has repeatedly warned of these attacks on our energy infrastructure. There is an interesting article in the Gulf Times that goes into more detail.
http://www.gulf-times.com/story/587809/Four-gas-pipeline-data-systems-shut-down-as-cybera
KMEA Closes on Dogwood Energy Facility Purchase
Thursday was an exciting day for KMEA. KMEA General Manager Paul Mahlberg and Dogwood Energy Vice President Dave Strong congratulate each other as they signed the contract for the sale of approximately 62 megawatts of the Dogwood Energy Facility to KMEA.
The Dogwood Project will provide capacity and energy to five KMEA member cities; Garden City, Gardner, Ottawa, Russell and Lindsborg. The closing was completed on Thursday and KMEA will begin taking energy from Dogwood on Friday.
Congratulations to everyone!
Cooling Tower Roof, City of Goodland
Here's a great example of how innovation can make us more efficient. The City has newly installed a retractable roof at the Power Plant cooling tower which allows us to release heat when operational and retain heat when we are not generating. The installation of this new roof will pay for itself in under five years thanks to the energy it saves, with taxpayers reaping the benefits every year after that!
Posted by City of Goodland on Thursday, March 22, 2018
Here’s a great example of how innovation can make us more efficient. The City has newly installed a retractable roof at the Power Plant cooling tower which allows us to release heat when operational and retain heat when we are not generating. The installation of this new roof will pay for itself in under five years thanks to the energy it saves, with taxpayers reaping the benefits every year after that!
The Struggle Continues
It seems like the conversation of wind generation never really ends. It was only a few years ago that wind penetration in the U.S. generation mix was irrelevant in the whole scheme of providing electrons to the power grid. Well, my, how that has changed. In the last few months SPP has reported records for both Wind Penetration in the SPP generation mix of 60.56% on March 16, 2018 and a Wind Generation Peak of 19,690MW on December 15, 2017.
Many people have called the electric power grid of North America the greatest engineering marvel ever by man. Currently the grid is being tested to its max by the overwhelming amount of megawatts of renewable energy being generated. One big problem is that wind generation is typically installed where the load is low and the power grid lacks the robust buildout to support the additional generation.
Ok, now that I have told you what you probably already now, let’s compound the problem with renewable energy subsidies. Take a look at the following article that illustrates how all of this creates issues beyond the power grid. The struggles for Oklahoma are just one example of how renewable energy has become much larger than any of us ever realized.
Employment Opportunity
The City of Halstead is currently accepting applications for the position of Assistant City Superintendent. Applications available at Halstead City Hall or online at www.halsteadks.com. Applicants may also apply at www.hrepartners.com.
Northwest Cities Meet in Oberlin
The cities of Colby, Goodland, Sharon Springs, Oberlin and Norton met at the Gateway Civics Center in Oberlin to complete strategic planning for future pooling efforts. Oberlin City Administrator, Halley Roberson led the discussion and the group worked through a complete strategic process.
Hesston police chief receives Medal of Valor
HESSTON, Kan. (KWCH) Hesston Police Chief Doug Schroeder Tuesday was honored by President Donald Trump with the Medal of Valor for his life saving actions during the workplace shooting at Excel Industries in 2016
“The Medal of Valor is the highest national award for public safety officers and is awarded for exceptional acts of heroism, extending above and beyond the call of duty,” Hesston City Administrator Gary Emry says. “This award signifies Chief Schroeder’s exemplary action during a time of crisis which saved many lives and is well-deserved.”
That Darn Weather
By far the biggest cause of power interruptions in 2017 was weather events. With two major hurricanes striking the U.S. just weeks apart the power industry’s resilience was tested once again. The response in the field and the restoration of electric service to thousands of homes and businesses was amazing. Not wanting to be outdone, 2018 has already produced a weather event that affected millions of people. The “bomb cyclone” as it has been called tested the entire northeastern U.S. Record levels of natural gas were consumed for power generation and the electricity price soared. The U.S. Department of Energy has detailed the event and it’s affect on the power markets in the attached article. It goes without saying that with all the planning and weather forecasting we still can’t avoid the hazards of nature.
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