What’s Minnesota’s future of carbon-free, nuclear power?
Is nuclear power the answer to a carbon-free energy production in Minnesota? Although nuclear power is an efficient energy source, many experts still debate because of the effects of nuclear waste. Executive Director of the Energy Transition Lab, Ellen Anderson says, “It’s really hard to find that bipartisan solution.”
Xcel Energy plans to construct a new natural gas power plant in Becker for times when solar and wind energy decline, but experts are questioning their decision. Ellen believes that, “when you build a new plant you are locking in fossil fuel emissions for decades to come.” As of now, lots of experts are still unsure about the future of nuclear power.
Read this online article to learn more about the future of nuclear power in Minnesota.
Minnesota utilities weigh energy storage as substitute for peaker plants
As of 2019, there is a new Minnesota state law that demands utilities to reconsider and implement energy storage into their long-term energy usage plans. As energy storage becomes cost competitive, the demand of peaker plants will decrease. This gives way for electricity production to become carbon free by 2050 as desired by Xcel Energy.
On hot summer days when utilities face high demands, peaker plants may fail. Ellen Anderson, executive director of the Energy Transition Lab, says “Utilities will have to acknowledge the capabilities storage can provide as an alternative to, say, a fossil fuel plant.”
To learn more about the future of Minnesota’s energy system, read this online article.
