MAINTAINING RELIABILITY

If you attended the 87th Annual Meeting, you heard me talk about the volatility the energy industry expects in both the short term and long term with regards to electric reliability. We have seen the retirement of a multitude of baseload generation resources, which have been replaced by intermittent sources.

That’s why I’m recommending you look at considering purchasing a home generator.

There are several factors you should consider when purchasing a generator. First, do you need to provide power to your entire home, or would you be better served by selecting specific circuits to power during an outage? Keep in mind, your cooperative does have plans in place to stay as reliable as you have always come to expect. The issue we’re facing revolves around a lack of generation resources during peak events. That means, for the majority of the time, you will not need the generator. However, during those times when the energy consumed by the grid exceeds the energy produced, you may need to be able to provide for yourself.

For residential consumers, having a generator ensures continuity of power during outages, allowing you to maintain a comfortable living environment. You can keep running essential appliances, such as refrigerators, heating/cooling systems, lighting, and communication devices, ensuring the wellbeing and safety of your family.

For small businesses, a generator ensures that your critical business operations continue running smoothly, preventing loss of revenue, productivity, and customer trust during power outages.

For farm operations, reliable electric service remains an even greater priority. Farms require consistent access to electricity for critical processes such as livestock feeding and watering systems, ventilation, milking equipment, and grain drying. Additionally, livestock farms heavily rely on electricity to power heating and cooling systems, fans, and automatic feeders. During extreme weather conditions, a generator ensures the comfort and wellbeing of animals, preventing losses and ensuring the success of your farming enterprise.

For all uses, you will want to first evaluate your specific needs by determining which appliances and circuits are essential during a power outage. Residential consumers may want to prioritize heating/ cooling or refrigeration. Small businesses will need to assess critical equipment, machinery, and systems, while farmers should consider the power requirements of livestock feeding and watering systems, ventilation, milking equipment, and grain drying.

Ed VanHoose PRESIDENT/CEO

There is also the question of the type of fuel supply you should choose to power your generator. Consider factors such as fuel availability, cost, and storage requirements to choose the most suitable option for your circumstances. Generators can be powered by gasoline, propane, natural gas, or diesel. Additionally, you will want to give some thought to whether you want a portable or standby generator.

Finally, all these considerations come with a cost. You will need to evaluate your budget to ensure you make a good decision by considering the costs versus benefits of the type and size of generator you choose.

As your trusted energy provider, North Central Electric Cooperative aims to empower our community members, small businesses, and rural farmers with reliable electricity solutions. By considering the benefits and options of generators tailored to each group’s unique needs, you can make informed decisions that ensure uninterrupted power supply, increased productivity, and peace of mind during outages.

We encourage you to explore the potential of generators, evaluate your specific requirements, and reach out to our knowledgeable energy advisors for personalized guidance and support. Together, we can create a resilient community where electric reliability remains at the heart of our collective success.