2024 CPSS SoDaRP Conference and Banquet

This year's banquet will be held on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, at McCrory Gardens in Brookings.

Conference Program

Presentation 1: 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Presentation Title: Scottsbluff Solar Project
- Speaker: Molly Brown, EVP of Corporate Strategy, GenPro Energy Solution, Piedmont, South ��ֱ��
  - Abastract: The Scottsbluff Solar Project was developed and constructed by GenPro and Sol Systems with output contracted to Nebraska Public Power District. The project was installed in 2020 and is a 4.375 MW AC community solar project available to NPPD customers in the area with over 14,000 solar panels on trackers. In June 2023, the project was decimated by a severe hailstorm that brought near softball-sized hail to the facility. In January 2024, the damage sustained by the project had been repaired/replaced and was returned to service. This presentation will discuss the project and design details, damage sustained and steps to rebuild with a focus on design considerations for solar development in our regions related to reliability and resiliency.

Presentation 2: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Presentation Title: AAR/DLR Implications and Implementations, a Transmission Owner’s Perspective
- Speaker: Chris Colson, Ph.D., PE. Transmission System Planning Manager, Western Area Power Administration - Upper Great Plains Region
  - - Abstract: – For most Transmission Owners, it is less than one year from the effective date of FERC Order No. 881 which will dramatically change Facility Ratings “business as usual.” Whether ambient-adjusted ratings (AAR), accounting for ambient temperatures and day/night solar heating, or dynamic line ratings (DLR), using a myriad of current ambient conditions, Transmission Owners face significant challenges updating policies, records, and data systems to ensure proper development and application of their Facility Ratings programs towards meeting impending obligations. Representing a Transmission Operator as well as a large Transmission Owner with over 7,800 circuit miles of Bulk Electric System, Chris is responsible for efforts to comply with FERC directives and will present recent efforts to be ready for AAR and DLR.

Presentation 3: 10:45-11:45 a.m.

Presentation Title: Inverter Based DER Interconnections
- Speaker: Olaoluwa Ilelaboye “Ola”, P.E., Vice President, Renewable Energy Resources, Power System Engineering (PSE), Madison, Wisconsin
  - - Abstract: Inverter-based DERs are seen by some as a black box of power electronics and a mystery to how they respond to the electric power system at high penetration levels and during abnormal system conditions. Unfamiliarity causes uncertainty driving conservative decisions that may have been different if more was understood. The purpose of this presentation is to cover the rapid expansion of inverter-based DER interconnections and their impact on the electric power system. Topics will include the current state of DER, System Impact Study and Hosting Capacity, PV and BESS Installations, Inverter Controls, Capabilities and settings.

Lunch Break: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Presentation 4: 1-2 p.m.

Presentation Title: Leveraging Grant Opportunities
- Speaker: Jim Weikert, Vice President of Utility Automation, Power Systems Engineering (PSE), Madison, Wisconsin.
  - - Abstract: Many grants have become available in the past several years for projects ranging from utility infrastructure to renewables to electrification and energy efficiency. These provide opportunities for utilities. They also provide opportunities for your customers, thereby impacting your utility. This presentation will talk about current opportunities with a focus on both preparation for applications your utility could submit as well as awareness of activities your customers may be pursuing.

Presentation 5: 2:15-3:15 p.m.

Presentation Title: Data Mining Load Addition
- Speaker: Jordan Lamb, CEO and General Manager of Oahe Electric Cooperative in central South ��ֱ��
  - - Abstract: Oahe Electric Cooperative supplies electricity to Big Watt Digital, the largest cryptocurrency and data center in South ��ֱ��, with a peak capacity of 30MWs. We utilize a diversified generation portfolio that prioritizes avoiding future generation capacity costs and enhancing grid resiliency through peak load curtailment capabilities.

Presentation 6: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Presentation Title: Xcel Energy’s Energy Transition
- Speaker: Kelly Bloch, AVP Distribution Engineering and Grid Transformation Delivery
  - - Abstract: Xcel has long been a national leader in wind energy. By early 2021, we became one of the first energy providers in the United States to reach 10,000 MWs of wind power on our system. In 2018, we were the first electric company in the nation to commit to 100% carbon-free electricity. That commitment had two parts – first to achieve 80% carbon reduction (measured from 2005 levels) by 2030 and then to achieve a fully carbon-free electricity system by 2050. This is requiring changes not just to our generation fleet but to the transmission and distribution grid as well. This presentation will cover some of our concerns and some of our plans to address them.

Banquet Program

Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, at McCrory Gardens in Brookings.

5:30 p.m. - Social
6 p.m. - Banquet

Welcome and Invocation
Dr. Steven Hietpas
Professor of Electrical Engineering | CPSS coordinator
6:45 p.m. - Presentation of the CPSS Scholarship ��ֱ��s
- Presentation of Wayne E. Knabach Excellence in Power ��ֱ��
7 p.m. - Keynote Presentation

CPSS Scholarship ��ֱ��ees

Kalen George Meyer is a senior electrical engineering student at South ��ֱ�� State University, set to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in May 2025. During the summer of 2024, Kalen interned for the fourth time at DGR Engineering in their electrical department. His responsibilities included creating protection and control drawing packages and overseeing substation station service and transformer fan modifications. At SDSU, Kalen has been actively involved in Eta Kappa Nu, serving as president during his senior year. He is also a member of Tau Beta Pi, IEEE and the SDSU Wrestling team. After graduation, Kalen plans to pursue a career in the power industry.

Luke Alan Rasmussen is a senior electrical engineering student at South ��ֱ�� State University anticipating earning his Bachelor of Science degree in May of 2025. Luke spent the summer of 2024 interning at DGR Engineering in their electrical department, primarily working on protection and controls design for substations. This was his third summer interning at DGR. While at SDSU, Luke has been part of the South ��ֱ�� Beta chapter of Tau Beta Pi, serving as the Joint Engineering Council representative. Other organizations include Eta Kappa Nu, IEEE and Robotics Club. After completing his degree, Luke plans to pursue an engineering career in the power industry.

Excellence in Power ��ֱ��ee

Michael W. Sydow
NorthWestern Energy, Huron, South ��ֱ��
General manager of operations for South ��ֱ�� and Nebraska (retired)

Mike Sydow has 38 years of experience with NorthWestern Energy (NWE), serving as an operations leader with the utility and as an officer in energy solutions. He holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from SDSU. During his assignments at NorthWestern Energy, he was responsible for the design and implementation of substation additions as well as voltage conversion projects in the Aberdeen division. For many years, Mike was responsible for successful labor relations, contract negotiations and grievance resolutions with the IBEW for South ��ֱ�� and Nebraska at NorthWestern Energy. Turning South ��ֱ�� and Nebraska’s lost-time incident rate from a high of 23 incidents in 2003 to zero in 2012-2016, is an accomplishment Mike and South ��ֱ�� and Nebraska employees have been very proud of. Mike assumed lead roles in large-scale Operations events including, the 2005 ice storm, 115kv transmission line collapse west of Groton, tornado Tuesday wind damage, Midwest Mutual Assistance Group nation-wide resource assistance and coordination and resource/material oversight for several tornado/straight-line wind events across NorthWestern Energy’s territory. During Mike’s tenure, South ��ֱ�� NorthWestern Energy attained and retained a reliability rating that was in the first quartile of the first quartile, in overall CAIDI, SAIDI and SAIFI indices. Mike enjoyed working with Engineering and Legal co-workers to create opportunities for NorthWestern Energy to electrically serve large-scale industry prospects such as ��ֱ�� Access Pipeline and South ��ֱ�� Soybean Processors Inc. He enjoyed working with Lake Area Technical Institute and Mitchell Technical Institute as an industry program advisor in the power line and control systems programs, where Mike encouraged and participated in the development of new options, including substation technician and electric control system operator.

Mike was the southern region manager in Energy Solutions (a NorthWestern subsidiary that assisted large-scale companies with energy utilization technologies), and went on to become the VP of engineering and Delivery. While in this capacity, he worked with large-scale electric customers to develop power factor correction solutions, HVAC solutions and sought out emerging technology applications.

Mike and his wife Tammy live at Pickerel Lake in northeastern South ��ֱ��. His son John (Brooke) Sydow is a SDSU project management graduate and is employed at East River Electric Coop as their project services manager. Mike’s son Kyle (Jenny) Sydow is a SDSU mass marketing and communications graduate and is employed by Daktronics as the High school/parks and recreation market manager. Mike’s daughter Allie is an SDSU graphics design graduate working as a professional baker in Sioux Falls.

Keynote Presentation

Richard McComish -- President, ECI, Billings, Montana

Engineering and Construction Support of HV Power System Reliability

Richard L. (Dick) McComish started his engineering career in January 1976 with SSR, a small, regional consultant located in Montana. He gained exposure in the electrical power industry as a design and field engineer, project engineer, commissioning engineer, project manager and engineering manager on a range of engineering needs for rural electric cooperatives. In 1990, Dick had the opportunity to acquire a majority ownership in a four-person consulting firm, Electrical Consultants, Inc. (ECI), becoming president of the firm in 1993. His love for engineering and business led to forming EPC Services, a professionally led design-construct firm serving the needs of utilities and the energy industry across the nation. He has overseen the growth of ECI and EPC Services to rank among the top ten T&D power delivery and EPC firms. Today, the firms have over 1,000 employees and 30 regional offices nationwide with revenues exceeding $700 million annually.

McComish is a licensed professional engineer in over 30 states. He holds a B.S. in electrical engineering, power emphasis, from South ��ֱ�� State University, where he graduated in December 1975. Throughout his decades-long career, he has been recognized by his peers with the Young Engineer of the Year ��ֱ�� and later, the Distinguished Service ��ֱ�� by the Montana Society of Engineers. He was also recognized by his alma mater as the 2015 recipient of the Wayne E. Knabach ��ֱ�� for Excellence in Power.

Dick and his wife Karen live in Billings, Montana. They have three children and five grandchildren. In addition to his passion for engineering, Dick enjoys professional tennis, classic cars, good rum and fishing with friends, along with the musical musings of Jimmy Buffet.