Lake Region Electric Cooperative Pilot Program Increases Grid Reliability

Nov 12, 2021 | 10:26 AM

PELICAN RAPIDS (KDLM) – A pilot program established by Lake Region Electric Cooperative last year has increased their grid reliability.

The pilot program established by LREC’s Board of Directors in October of 2020. has worked on improving the reliability of the electrical grid for members and increasing safety and serviceability for employees. In doing this, LREC has focused on 10 selected zones in need of updating and repair. These areas span across LREC’s service territory and affect nearly 2,000 members who experience higher than average outage counts, vegetation issues or other reliability concerns.

With an initial budget of $500,000, LREC employees were encouraged to discover potential projects requiring grid improvement. Using their expertise, crews created a list of projects within the boundaries of the pilot program.

LREC was able to add 904 feet of underground lines in Otto Township; limit main line outages in Scambler Township; and prevented outages in Girard Township.

To date, $320,000 of grid improvements have been identified, with approximately $60,000 of work orders already completed.

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