Co-op Innovation: Green Energy and Reliability

Green Energy:

   Your member-owned utility continues to expand its array of clean energy sources. These projects help to reduce carbon emissions and provide members with sustainable sources of electricity. In the summer of 2013, DEC energized a 20-acre solar energy farm on East Trap Pond Road near Georgetown. The solar farm is capable of producing four megawatts of energy—enough power for 500 homes. Since September of 2013, the facility has produced more power than expected. The farm could be expanded to 40 acres in the future if Co-op leaders find the addition to be cost effective.

    In April of this year, Delaware Electric Cooperative began purchasing power produced at the Delaware Solid Waste Authority’s landfill in Sandtown, Del. Methane produced from decomposing garbage is retrieved from the landfill and then burned in large engines to produce electricity. DEC is purchasing enough energy from the site to power 1,000 Co-op homes. The electricity is being purchased at a very competitive price and has reduced carbon emissions from the landfill by 60 to 90 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Co-op Vice President Mark Nielson said, "We are working to invest in projects that are affordable, sustainable and reduce the Co-op’s impact on the environment. By 2025, in compliance with state laws, 25 percent of our energy will be produced or purchased from renewable energy sources."

Infrared Scanning:

   When a child says they don’t feel well, the first thing many parents do is feel their son or daughter’s forehead to see if they have a fever. Much like the human body, hot electrical equipment can be stressed or in danger of malfunctioning. We all have tools to deal with temperature problems. A mother will use a thermometer to take her child’s temperature. A lineman will use an infrared scanning device to gauge the health of electrical equipment. In 2014, DEC expanded its infrared scanning program. Linemen are now scanning substations and power lines all over Kent and Sussex counties searching for what engineers call "hot spots," or equipment that has a warmer surface temperature than normal. Once linemen identify equipment that is hot and in danger of failing, the equipment is quickly replaced. Already in 2014, possible problems have been identified and fixed in 17 substations. Infrared scanning saves the Co-op money and prevents many outages from occurring.