PowerOn Midwest proposes project through southwest Minnesota – Worthington Globe

PowerOn Midwest: A Strategic Infrastructure Initiative for Sustainable Energy

Introduction and Project Overview

A consortium of energy providers, including Great River Energy, ITC Midwest, Otter Tail Power Company, and Xcel Energy, has initiated the PowerOn Midwest project. This strategic development involves the construction of new electric transmission lines across eastern South Dakota and southern Minnesota to enhance regional grid reliability and accommodate evolving energy demands.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The PowerOn Midwest project is fundamentally aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), positioning it as a critical component of regional sustainable development.

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The primary objective is to ensure reliable and affordable electricity. The upgraded infrastructure will facilitate the integration of new, often renewable, energy sources, contributing to a cleaner energy mix.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): This project represents a significant investment in resilient infrastructure, which is essential for economic growth and innovation. The adoption of high-efficiency 765 kV technology underscores a commitment to innovative solutions.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By strengthening the electrical grid, the project ensures a stable power supply for homes, businesses, and essential services, which is a cornerstone of sustainable and resilient communities.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The collaboration among four major utility companies exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership dedicated to achieving shared energy and sustainability objectives.

Project Justification and Technical Specifications

Addressing Regional Energy Needs

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has identified the need for this transmission expansion following a comprehensive multi-year review. The analysis concluded that the existing grid infrastructure is insufficient to reliably manage projected load growth and the integration of new generation sources. The project is a direct response to MISO’s approval to ensure long-term grid stability and service quality for customers.

Technological Approach and Environmental Considerations

The project proposes the use of a 765 kilovolt (kV) lattice tower structure, a decision driven by efficiency and environmental considerations.

• Enhanced Capacity: A single 765 kV line can transmit approximately six times the energy of a standard 345 kV line.
• Land Use Minimization (SDG 15: Life on Land): The 765 kV technology significantly reduces the project’s physical footprint. It requires a 250-foot right-of-way, compared to the 900-foot right-of-way that would be needed for an equivalent capacity using multiple 345 kV lines. This approach minimizes the impact on land and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Operational Safety: Transmission lines will maintain a minimum clearance of 60 feet above the ground, ensuring that land use, including agricultural activities, can continue safely beneath the lines.

Project Timeline and Regulatory Process

Phased Implementation Plan

The project will proceed through a multi-stage regulatory and construction process, contingent upon approvals from state authorities, including the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC).

1. 2025: Project planning, initial stakeholder meetings, and public engagement.
2. 2026: Filing of a Certificate of Need application and Route Permit applications with the MPUC.
3. 2027-2029: Route permit review process, detailed engineering design, environmental surveys, and easement acquisition negotiations with landowners.
4. 2030: Commencement of pre-construction and construction activities.
5. 2032-2034: Projected in-service dates for the new transmission lines.

Stakeholder Engagement and Route Development

Public consultation is a key component of the planning phase. An open house was held in Nobles County to provide information and gather community input. The final route will be determined by the MPUC after a thorough review process. The initial study area encompasses a broad region, including Nobles, Rock, Pipestone, Murray, and Cottonwood counties, to allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the least impactful routing options.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article’s central theme is the development of new electric transmission lines to “enhance grid reliability” and “deliver reliable electricity for customers.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring access to reliable and modern energy.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The “PowerOn Midwest” project is a significant infrastructure development. The article states that changes in the energy system “require us to adapt and build new infrastructure.” This goal focuses on building resilient infrastructure to support economic development and well-being.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project aims to provide reliable power to “homes, factories, businesses and more,” which are the core components of communities. Reliable infrastructure is essential for making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article explicitly discusses the project’s impact on land use. It mentions the “250-foot right-of-way” and compares it to less efficient alternatives, highlighting an effort to find the “least impactful” solution. The plan also includes “environmental surveys,” connecting the project to the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The project is a collaborative effort, as stated in the first sentence: “Great River Energy, ITC Midwest, Otter Tail Power Company and Xcel Energy have teamed up.” This multi-stakeholder partnership is crucial for achieving the project’s large-scale objectives.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

  The project’s primary objective is to “enhance grid reliability” and “continue to deliver reliable electricity for customers,” directly contributing to this target.

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.

  The construction of new transmission lines is a direct action towards developing reliable infrastructure to meet “growing and changing energy needs” for the entire region.

• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure… with increased resource-use efficiency…

  The article highlights the efficiency of the proposed 765 kV line, stating it is “more efficient” and can “deliver about six times the amount of energy as a single circuit 345 kV line,” which represents a significant upgrade in infrastructure efficiency.

• Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.

  The project connects “eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and the broader region,” strengthening regional infrastructure and planning to support communities across this large area.

• Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes…

  The project plan includes “environmental surveys and permitting” and a stated goal of finding the “least impactful, most efficient solution” regarding land use, demonstrating the integration of environmental considerations into the development process.

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…

  The partnership between four major energy companies is a clear example of a private-sector partnership. Furthermore, the plan for “open houses and public hearings” shows engagement with civil society.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 7.1 & 9.1 (Reliability):

  The primary indicator is the successful enhancement of grid reliability. While not quantified, the project’s success would be measured by its ability to ensure that “when somebody flips the switch, the lights turn on” consistently, especially given the “growth that we’re seeing.”

• Indicators for Target 9.4 (Efficiency):
  1. Energy Capacity: The new 765 kV line can deliver “six times the amount of energy as a single circuit 345 kV line.” This is a direct, quantifiable measure of increased efficiency.
  2. Land Use Efficiency: The 765 kV structure requires a “250-foot right-of-way,” compared to the 900 feet required for equivalent 345 kV towers. This demonstrates “much less land use” and is a clear indicator of resource efficiency.
• Indicator for Target 15.9 (Environmental Integration):

  The inclusion of “environmental surveys and permitting” as a formal step in the project timeline (between 2027 and 2029) serves as a procedural indicator that environmental impacts are being assessed and integrated into the planning process.

• Indicators for Target 17.17 (Partnerships):
  1. Number of Partners: The article identifies four private companies (“Great River Energy, ITC Midwest, Otter Tail Power Company and Xcel Energy”) forming the core partnership.
  2. Public Engagement Activities: The mention of “open house,” “public hearings,” and “stakeholder meetings” are indicators of partnership-building with the public and local communities.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dglobe.com