6.1f ERMUSR 09-09-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING TO: FROM: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Tom Sagstetter- Conservation and Key Accounts John Dietz—Chair Manager Al Nadeau—Vice Chair Daryl Thompson—Trustee MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: September 9th, 2014 6.1f SUBJECT: Staff Update DISCUSSION: • Met with representatives from Amjet Turbine Systems about the possibility of installing hydroelectric generation on the Lake Orono Dam. The turbine systems can be installed without major reconstruction as they can be installed in the existing spillways. First impressions from the Amjet Turbine representatives were encouraging. The current design of the dam would allow for up to 6 MW of generation. The technology is relatively new to Minnesota. Brainerd Public Utilities will be installing a system in 2015. Attached is a copy of an International Water Power&Dam Construction Brochure which spotlights turbines and generators. • Participated in a conference call sponsored by NISC to learn about different approaches for pricing community based solar projects. The focus of the pricing options outlined by the three utilities was to avoid customers not participating in the program from subsidizing customers that did. The most effective way to do this was to charge customers an initial cost that ranged from$1,400 to $2,200. The costs varied based on the amount of grants received from 3rd parties and if operation and maintenance was factored in up front. • This past month we experienced an extremely high call volume from customers regarding their high bills. This was due to the fact that July was the first month that air conditioners ran consistently and based on the high humidity many folks were using dehumidifiers. The customers were surprised to learn that a dehumidifier is like plugging in a refrigerator and leaving the door open. Dehumidifiers are large energy users. One customer learned that she used 150 kWh by running her dehumidifier for a week to dry out a room that had a water leak due to a clothes washer. • Attended the 25 Anniversary of the GRE Resource Recovery Project. The program was well attended. ATTACHMENT: • International Water Power& Dam Construction Brochure ■- IP- WII 0 EED 01 ■tr$ Page 1 of 1 NATURE Reliable Public Power Provider P O W E R E D T o S E R V E 97