CROSS-INFRASTRUCTURE POSSIBILITIES
ELECTRIC Natural gas and electricity are energy delivery systems that are interchangeable in many applications. As South Dakota moves into the future, these should be seen as branches of a single, larger energy supply system, rather than as separate utilities. To promote future growth, it is important to understand the solutions each offers. Innovative approaches may help remove barriers that traditional methods fail to solve. Expansion of the natural gas system can bring growth that benefits electricity infrastructure expansion and vice versa.
ROADS + RAIL Expansion of the existing natural gas distribution system could bring service to areas that are currently served only by liquid propane. This could reduce traffic on roads by eliminating the need to haul propane to these areas. Existing road, rail, and natural gas infrastructure does not always align, so growth may necessitate expansion of the road and rail system.
WATER Opportunities exist to create shared right-of-ways for multiple infrastructure types, including natural gas and water. Growth created by water infrastructure expansion may encourage natural gas service to expand to new areas of the State. Sunsetting thermal power generation plants may affect water and natural gas supply concurrently as the plants are major users of both.
BROADBAND Most natural gas utilities set goals for reducing pipeline leaks and emissions. Broadband instrumentation expansion is necessary to measure and complete these goals. Expanding RNG production in South Dakota requires broadband availability at the production facilities, which are typically located in rural areas.
Infrastructure First Project
Natural Gas | 61
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