News And Events

There may be many things you don’t understand about the concepts of data mining, blockchain and cryptocurrency. But a concept that is easier to digest is load growth, and that is what Nodak Electric Cooperative experienced with the 2021 arrival of three data processing centers in Grand Forks. “The digital asset mining sector is new territory for Nodak Electric Cooperative, and we’re thrilled to be able to energize an industry that is on the grow,” said Mylo Einarson, Nodak president and CEO. “Digital asset mining is changing the way we use digital information in our lives – Grand Forks is becoming a hot spot for that kind of innovation.”

Digital asset mining uses blockchain, a decentralized peer-to-peer transaction ledger that can store all types of digital information. When an entity “mines,” they use powerful computer hardware to solve complex algorithms that confirm the validity of transactions. Those validated transactions are consolidated into “blocks” and then chained together to create a ledger of all verified transactions since the creation of the first block. As an economic incentive for miners who manage and operate the fleets of specialized computer hardware, each block contains a “reward” of cryptocurrency (like bitcoin). This reward is typically two pronged – a “block reward” that is earned for each new block created, and a transaction fee, which are fees charged to users who access the blockchain and submit transactions to new blocks.

The largest of Nodak’s new data processing loads is Core Scientific, one of the nation’s largest blockchain infrastructure providers and digital asset miners. The company’s work requires large facilities filled with specialized computer hardware that continuously mine digital assets – primarily bitcoin – for clients worldwide. To be most effective, that process requires electricity and a cool climate. Grand Forks is able to supply both.

“This environment should allow our operations to experience a higher efficiency ratio over a typical year when compared to our facilities in the southeast and southwest,” a Core Scientific report to Nodak explained. “Additionally, digital mining is uniquely tailored to be able to use excess local grid capacity when local consumers are not using it and curtail when the community’s grid needs increase.”

Core Scientific says it’s pleased to be a new part of the Grand Forks community and is happy to help contribute to the local economy. The new data processing center offers numerous skilled and technical jobs along with positions for managerial, safety and security personnel.

Nodak energized two other Grand Forks data mining projects in 2021 as well. All three centers will have significant power needs. Nodak and Minnkota Power Cooperative worked together in 2021 to ensure the facilities were supported with the reliable electric infrastructure and rate affordability necessary for the companies to find success in North Dakota.

“Electric co-ops must be strong partners with any businesses sharing their lines,” Einarson said. “Collaboration is key to not only economic development, but also sustaining a robust and resilient electric grid for the community.”

Since the program started, a total of $1,025,147 has been distributed!

Operation Round Up is a program that rounds up members’ monthly electric bills to the next whole dollar amount. The resulting funds are put into a special account to assist others in need. The funds collected through Operation Round Up are used for a variety of projects, programs and items throughout the Nodak service area.

The Round Up board meets quarterly and considers each application that has been received since the previous meeting. It awards funds to the applicants based on how well the application fits the original funding guidelines: 1) Individuals or families in crisis; 2) Services – ambulance and fire; 3) Community youth needs with emphasis on permanent benefit; 4) Scholarships with emphasis on reeducation of displaced agricultural people; 5) Senior needs with emphasis on permanent benefit; and 6) No requests for funding of utility and space heating energy will be accepted.

Operation Round Up is a voluntary program with roughly 52% of the 15,088 members participating. Since the program started, a total of $1,025,147 has been distributed to individuals and organizations throughout the Nodak Electric service area.

2021 Recipients

Altru Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Aneta Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Binford Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Cooperstown Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Drayton Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Emerado Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Finley Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Fordville Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Hillsboro Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Hoople Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Hope Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Lake Region Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Lakota Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Larimore Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
McVille Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Michigan Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Northwood Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Park River Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Pembina County Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Valley Ambulance & Rescue Squad – $ 125.00
West Traill Ambulance Service – $ 125.00
Briar Coppedge – $ 632.00
Devils Lake Juvenile Drug Court – $ 250.00
Jeffrey Guy – $ 1,145.00
Hillsboro Elementary School (Backpack Program) – $ 500.00
Theresia Hoffner – $ 1,150.00
Collin LaVallie – $ 2,000.00
Brian & Barb Milling – $ 2,000.00
Sameia Mansur Muftah – $ 1,560.00
Shirley Peterson – $ 1,000.00
Kennedy Byfuglien – $ 1,500.00
Central Valley High School – $ 50.00
Devils Lake High School – $ 50.00
Grafton High School – $ 50.00
Grand Forks Central High School – $ 50.00
Hatton/Northwood High School – $ 50.00
Minto High School – $ 50.00
North Border Walhalla High School – $ 50.00
Park River High School – $ 50.00
Thompson High School – $ 50.00
Valley-Edinburg High School – $ 50.00
Sawyer Boese – $ 1,000.00
Kristi Cole – $ 2,500.00
Murika Dawes – $ 350.00
Elizabeth Espling – $ 1,200.00
Kyle Everson – $ 1,000.00
Ronald Helm – $ 1,000.00
Troy Hruby – $ 180.00
Emma Larson – $ 1,000.00
Bruce Martin – $ 1,000.00
Titus Prins – $ 736.00
Leila Roberts – $ 500.00
Hunter Vaske – $ 1,500.00
Aaron & Patience Whitney Family – $ 648.00
Jennifer Wray – $ 197.00
Emma Basting – $ 2,000.00
Rilynn Dahly – $ 1,000.00
Dennis Denault – $ 269.00
Debora Heath – $ 1,000.00
Tami Ostlie – $ 2,000.00
James Ottem – $ 369.00
Jose “Jr.” Patlan – $ 390.00
Miranda Spoor – $ 780.00
James Vaughan – $ 1,000.00
Zoe Vaughan – $ 1,000.00
Veterans Honor Flight of ND/MN – $ 2,200.00

Minnkota and its members expect active off-peak season spurred by volatile energy markets

Last winter, a polar vortex event sent energy market prices soaring. Fewer resources across the country were able to generate electricity in the historic cold, and demand was high for the few resources that were generating enough to sell into the electric grid.

Utilities are experiencing those high market prices again – but it’s not because of a single major weather event this time. It’s the climbing cost of natural gas.

“Natural gas is one of those resources that typically help manage the variability in electricity generation, and we’re seeing prices that are significantly higher than what we’ve seen in the past 10-15 years,” explained Todd Sailer, senior manager of power supply & resource planning for Minnkota Power Cooperative (Nodak Electric Cooperative’s wholesale power provider). “We’re seeing prices double and triple what they were last year, or even over the last couple of years.”

While the energy markets soared for only 7-10 days in February 2021’s polar vortex, Sailer says this volatility could last throughout the winter season, or longer. That’s good insight for cooperative members on the demand response – or off-peak – program, which allows the co-op to temporarily interrupt service to a participant’s off-peak loads (electric heating, large-capacity water heaters, electric vehicle chargers, etc.) in exchange for a lower electric rate.

“The projection is that these high prices will likely drive our demand response more than we’ve seen in the past years,” Sailer said.

Minnkota’s energy marketers are preparing for 200 hours of off-peak load control this winter, but Sailer says that could rise if natural gas prices continue to climb. He also notes that load control could be spread out over more days and not always coincide with major weather events. 

“If we have days of low intermittent resources in the region, like wind power, the expectation is that the markets will respond and you’ll see higher markets, which will result in more off-peak control,” he said.

Ultimately, the cooperative will deploy off-peak load control when it needs to protect itself from buying high-price energy from the market. This system was established years ago to avoid building more generation facilities for peak need that only arises a few days out of the year. That, in turn, keeps rates low for consumers. By being a part of the off-peak load control program, consumers can also take advantage of an even lower electric rate without any disruption in comfort.

Sailer urges those who are a part of the off-peak program to make sure they have adequate backup fuel supply. Confirm that all parts of your heating system are running smoothly.

“It’s not just natural gas – it’s propane, it’s all fuel sources that have seen an increase in cost. Which leads to people reliant on their off-peak system,” Sailer said. “Members should be making sure their system works.”

Nodak Electric Cooperative is a member of the Rural Development Finance Corporation (RDFC). As a result, communities in our service area were eligible to apply for a grant of up to $2,000 for community-based projects. RDFC is making these funds available in order to make more people aware of their larger loan program that funds community-based projects and nonprofit entities with low interest loans.

RDFC has recently granted $2,000 to the City of Gilby, N.D. The shingles and underlayment of Gilby’s park shelter are deteriorating. The grant funds will be used to replace the materials and use steel for the roof to help with maintenance. The “Welcome to Gilby” sign located on the south edge of town will be updated and the plants in the planter will be refreshed as well.

The RDFC is a nonprofit corporation that encourages economic diversification and community vitality through the generation of funding that supports sustainable asset building. Funding for RDFC programs comes from fee income generated by Dakotas America LLC, a community development entity providing New Market Tax Credits in economically distressed census tracks across the U.S. 

The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives provides support to RDFC.

Consider Off-peak Electric Heating

Nodak Electric Cooperative member-owners can save money by allowing their electric heating system to be controlled during peak demand periods while using their backup heating system. The savings to Nodak during these control events is passed on to participating off-peak members through a lower electric heating rate. To qualify, an electric heating system must be coupled with an automatic, whole home backup heating system. A device is installed to control the electric heat remotely. The off-peak rate is offered during the heating season months of October through May. Contact us for more information at www.nodakelectric.com/off-peak-electric-heat or by calling Member Services at 800-732-4373.

If during the heating season you experience a control event that seems excessively long or have no hot water, please be sure to give us a call at 800-732-4373 first to determine if further help is needed.

How does Nodak’s $0.062/kWh off-peak heating rate compare to alternative fuel sources?

Dirty air filters cause a heating and cooling system to work harder and break down faster. That’s because unfiltered dust and grime works into parts, creating friction that causes unnecessary wear and eventually failure. 

How much does a dirty air filter cost you?

• Reduced air flow in the home, leading to up to 15% higher operating costs
• Leads to costly duct cleaning or replacement
• Lowers system efficiency

To avoid these expenses, change filters monthly when your heating and cooling system is in regular use. Discuss cleaning the unit and ductwork with your heating and cooling service professional.

Source: High Performance HVAC, U.S. Department of Energy 

If you are planning any kind of construction, grain handling upgrade or any other projects that require an electric service upgrade, don’t forget to contact us at 800-732-4373.

With many projects already scheduled for this construction season, advanced notice helps us plan to better serve you. Lead time for some materials has substantially increased. 

Line Patrol

Line crews will be conducting line inspections starting around January/February. You may see our crews driving around and inspecting overhead lines. Crews will be inspecting services and equipment on members’ properties. 

Please use caution when driving through work zones. You may encounter traffic restrictions, reduced speeds, lane closures, detours and/or delays. Above all, slow down and please drive carefully!