Resiliency Series Session 4: Towards a Resilient Energy Infrastructure

The Morris Model team is excited to bring to you a discussion on the complex and continually-evoloving ways in which state agencies and regulated utilities work together to design, implement, and operate a 21st century electrical grid that ensures affordable, reliable, resilient, and environmentally-responsible energy supplies to citizens of Minnesota.  The production and use of energy touches every facet of life our society and, as shown by the recent outages in Texas, policy makers and consumers need to be aware of the potential consequences of failing to plan for the realities imposed on the electrical system from changing, volatile climatic conditions.

This fast-paced and informative session will start with presentations from Morris Model member and local utility provider Otter Tail Power.  Representatives will discuss the existing practices and considerations involved in the 24/7 operation of ensuring adequate generation capacity to meet demand, priorities and risk analysis in planning grid improvements, and ways in which consumers can work with the utility to improve conservation and efficiency in their operations to increase grid resiliency.  Following that, the MN State Energy Office in the Department of Commerce will discuss findings from the MN 2020 Quadrennial Energy Report, the office's work in exploring least-risk, best-value strategies for meeting the State of Minnesota’s renewable energy goals, and thermal district heating integration opportunities in Minnesota.

Speakers of this session include:

Jason Grenier is the Manager of Market Planning for Otter Tail Power Company. His team oversees the development and marketing of Otter Tail’s energy conservation, demand response, small-scale solar, electric vehicle, and other emerging technology customer offerings. Jason has worked in the electric utility industry for 18 years and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Dean Pawlowski is the Interconnection Manager for Otter Tail Power Company.  He graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.  He also has a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Pastoral Ministry.  Mr. Pawlowski has 30 years of experience in the utility industry.  His present role at Otter Tail Power is to assist generators with interconnecting to Otter Tail Power’s distribution and transmission system.

Nathan Jensen is the Manager of Resource Planning at Otter Tail Power Company.  The Resource Planning department is responsible for making long term generation investment recommendations that balance Otter Tail’s goals of providing reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible electricity to its customers.  Nathan has a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration from the North Dakota State University and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Minnesota.

Lori Moxness is the Energy Management Representative for the Morris area at Otter Tail Power.  She is responsible for helping small businesses and local governments in identifying and evaluating energy-efficient productivity-increasing technologies that will help grow profits and increase efficiency.  She has over 25 years of experience in the electric utility industry with focus on Conservation, Load Management and Load Growth and Renewable Energy Solutions.

Lise Trudeau is the Emerging Technology Planning Director at the State Energy Office within the Minnesota Department of Commerce.  She analyzes energy system trends and works with stakeholders to bridge technology and policy in the transition to a clean energy system.   Lise holds a Bachelor’s in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

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Information on the Community Resiliency Discussion Series:

The Morris Model plans to bring together our community leaders and members to discuss resiliency every 4th Tuesday of the month from 6-7 PM virtually. Resiliency is the ability of a system or a community to survive disruption and to anticipate, adapt, and flourish in the face of change.

The Morris Model is proud to announce for Morris Model Resiliency Discussion Series that will occur this year.  Continuing on the momentum of the Rural Climate Dialogues in 2014 and the creation of the Morris Model Strategic Plan in 2018, the Morris Model team will be facilitating a series of seven monthly, hour-long online discussions with regional experts on the importance of incorporating resilience-minded strategies and forward-thinking, cost-effective investments to improve the readiness of the community for future predicted impacts to the following aspects of the community:

1) Agriculture

2) Outdoor recreation and natural resources

3) Infrastructure and utilities

4) Community Health

5) Business/industry/finance

6) Culture and community identity

Visit www.morrismodel.org/resiliency-series to view the upcoming meetings, see recordings of previous sessions, and learn more about the discussion series, and reach out to morrismodelinfo@gmail.com with any questions.