Winter impacts on generation resources

Winter has a way of slowing us down. We have to set aside time to shovel the driveway, drive slowly on icy roads and bundle up the kids with extra warm layers. It’s no different for electric generation resources. They all have an Achilles heel in the winter – some more detrimental than others. Minnkota Power Cooperative, CCEC's wholesale power provider, uses a diverse mix of several resources to ensure a reliable power supply during the coldest, darkest months.

Solar

• Winter impacts:
  • Shorter winter days mean fewer hours of sun hitting the solar panels.
  • Snow and ice can accumulate on the solar panels, reducing overall generation.
• The good news:
  • Solar panels can still generate some power in freezing temperatures, but efficiency decreases significantly.

Wind*

• Winter impacts:
  • Wind turbines can go into shutdown mode when temps drop below -20 degrees.
  • Blade icing can decrease a turbine’s ability to catch wind efficiently.
•  The good news:
  • Cold weather packages can be added to wind turbines, but they add cost and lower efficiency.

Coal*

• Impacts:
  • In extreme cases, blizzard-like conditions may halt coal extraction and delivery to the power plant.
• The good news:
  • Many northern coal-fired power plants like Minnkota’s Milton R. Young Station are mine-mouth, which means transportation to the plant is minimal (and a couple of weeks of coals is stored directly onsite in case of interruption). These plants are also fully winterized and prepared for subzero temperatures.

Hyrdo*

• Impacts:
  • Rivers and reservoirs can quickly ice up, and that ice buildup can slow water intake and affect turbine performance.
  • In rare occasions, extreme cold may lead to reduced water flow due to frozen or reduced precipitation.
• The good news:
  • Hydropower is generally less affected by extreme cold compared to other forms of energy generation, as long as water flow is maintained.

Nuclear

• Impacts:
  • Nuclear plants often use rivers or lakes for cooling purposes, and those water intake and discharge systems may freeze up if not weatherized.
• The good news:
  • Cold weather can enhance the efficiency of nuclear cooling systems by providing a cooler environment for heat exchange during fission.

Natural Gas

• Impacts:
  • Gas supplies may be diverted to home and business heating during extended cold snaps.
  • Natural gas generators, wellheads and pipelines face operating challenges during extreme cold.
• The good news:
  • Natural gas is often stored in underground reservoirs, which are less susceptible to extreme cold.

*Found in Minnkota's power supply portfolio