2022SummerMagazine_Web

Improving Energy for Tomorrow's Generation
The Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is a regulated public utility,
generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity for sale in Indiana and the
Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) regional electricity market.
It serves 480,000 electric customers covering northern Indiana. In addition, NIPSCO
and its parent company, NiSource, provide gas service to 3.2 million customers across
six states.
In 2018, NIPSCO embarked on a decade long transition toward more renewable
energy sources. It all began with a trailblazing Request for Proposals (RFP) in
2018. Hundreds of scenarios were part of a comprehensive review of future
energy options. According to Andy Campbell, Director of Portfolio Planning
and Origination at NIPSCO, the number one priority was to figure out how
NIPSCO could "safely and reliably serve customers at the lowest possible
cost.” To date, NIPSCO has brought three Indiana wind farms online with
two prominent renewable developers – NextEra and EDP Renewables –
and announced plans for additional wind and
solar projects.
"We weren't biased toward any resources, and we were quite
surprised how it turned out in renewables’ favor," said
NIPSCO Communications Manager Tara McElmurry.
NIPSCO is addressing future energy needs through an
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) branded "Your Energy, Your
Future." The plan includes retiring all remaining coal plants
by 2028, reducing carbon emissions by more than 90% by
2030, compared to a 2005 baseline, after retiring its coal-fired
generating stations. But what about reliability?
"What is often lost is we are part of a broader integrated
market [MISO]. All assets are pooled – coal, renewables, gas
generation, nuclear generation, and MISO customers. We can
buy and sell from that market, and we gain reliability by being
part of that integrated market," said Campbell.
MISO is an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates
the power grid across fifteen U.S. states and the Canadian
province of Manitoba. Approximately 42 million people depend
on MISO to generate electricity every day. Being a part of MISO
is not a new concept, as NIPSCO has been a member since 2005.
Customers will continue to reliably receive electric energy from a
mix of resource
fuels bought from the MISO power grid, from which there is ample
power available.
Investments in Renewables
Provide a Significant
Economic Boost
One of the first “Your Energy, Your Future.” projects
was the completion of the Jordan Creek Wind
Energy Center in 2020. Located in Benton and Warren
counties, this 400-megawatt wind farm powers roughly
120,000 homes and was selected through their Request
for Proposal (RFP) solicitation. It was built by a subsidiary
of NextEra Energy Resources, who is also the owner and
operator.
NextEra has invested approximately $186 million in Indiana and
is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind
and sun. The energy from the Jordan Creek Wind Energy project
will serve NIPSCO customers under a 20-year power purchase
agreement. But what about the local community? How do they benefit
from a utility-scale renewable energy project?
Steve Eberly, Executive Director of Hoosiers for Renewables offers a
unique perspective. Eberly lives in the house his great-grandfather built.
It sits on a 200-acre cattle farm that has been in the family for more than
100 years. After graduating from Purdue, he spent the next 35 years at the
university as its Director of Food Stores. In this role he negotiated contracts
for approximately $15 million worth of food and beverages each year, was
responsible for quality control, and worked closely with chefs to develop
quality meals for students and others at the university. The dining halls
were ranked as some of the best institutional places to eat in the country.
Under his tenure, Purdue moved to purchasing Indiana-based products,
like Red Gold tomatoes.
During this time, he also started his political career in Warren County,
eventually rising to County Commissioner. During the last ten years
of his political career, he also became the Economic Development
Director for Warren County. In this position he was tasked with
promoting economic growth and development as an advocate for
Warren County.
Eberly reflected on this time in his career. “It was in this role that it
became very visible, the pervasive absence of needed necessities
in our smaller communities. How were people going to keep the
lights on in our smaller towns in Indiana?”
As Warren County Commissioner, Eberly was a key figure
in negotiating the $400 million Jordan Creek Wind Energy
agreement. Over the next 30 years, approximately $50 million in
additional tax revenue will be provided, money that can be used
to fix roads or enhance schools. Perhaps the biggest development
since the completion of the Jordan Creek project was Warren
County’s $5 million investment in broadband internet, something
most can’t live without, but is completely new to Warren County. >>
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