Great Plains Energy Corridor

The Great Plains Energy Corridor was created at Bismarck State College in 2008 through the efforts of former U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan. The Corridor was tasked with providing innovative approaches that bring people together to advance the development of North Dakota’s abundant and diverse energy resources. The GPEC works with Bismarck State College’s nationally recognized energy education programs, which provide state-of-the-art training and education to current and future industry employees.  Renewable, sustainable, green, and environmentally and economically sound sources of energy- these are just some of the big energy topics the Corridor will work on with our partners. Together, we provide information, education, outreach programs and special events on topics ranging from enhanced geothermal systems to renewable fuels, sustainable development, and energy transmission and storage technologies.  The Corridor works with partners in government, education and the private sector to promote the advancement of energy-related activities through federal funds and other sources that will benefit North Dakota. Together, we can help create a vibrant and innovative energy industry along the Corridor.

The Great Plains Energy Corridor office is located in the National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) building on the campus of Bismarck State College. Dedicated in September, 2008, the building also houses the college administrative offices, the energy technology education programs, and the college’s Continuing Education program facilities.  The NECE building was constructed with energy efficiency as a top priority. It is heated and cooled with a ground-source (geothermal) heat pump system, the lighting meets the requirements of the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) specifications, and the ventilation system utilizes a total energy heat recovery system coupled to the geothermal piping system. In addition, the building makes use of Flexcrete, which is a construction material manufactured with fly ash, a by-product of the coal combustion process.

ND Energy Resources

North Dakota is fortunate to have abundant natural energy resources – coal, oil, gas, wind, solar, biomass, ethanol, power generation, transmission, and the list goes on. This website is intended to provide the most current information on North Dakota’s incredibly varied and abundant energy sectors. Choose from the sub-menus under “ND Energy Resources” to explore each topic and find links to more information on North Dakota’s energy industry.  The Great Plains Energy Corridor also provides a printed annual report – the “Spotlight on Energy” – which wraps up statistics and information on each of North Dakota’s thriving energy sectors. Visit the “Spotlight on Energy” page to see a PDF of the document and to request a hard copy.  The Great Plains Energy Corridor, housed at Bismarck State College’s National Energy Center of Excellence, works with partners in government, education and the private sector to promote and enhance North Dakota’s energy development. Together we provide information, education, outreach programs and special events on a wide range of energy topics. As you peruse this website, contact us if you have additional information or links to include. Use the form on the “Contact” page to reach us.

Natural Gas Processing

A technician checks gauges at a Whiting Petroleum natural gas processing plant. Photo courtesy of Whiting Petroleum. A technician checks gauges at a Whiting Petroleum natural gas processing plant. Photo courtesy of Whiting Petroleum.  North Dakota has abundant resources in natural gas. Natural gas in North Dakota is co-produced with oil wells, which means that when an oil well is drilled, natural gas rises to the surface along with the oil. North Dakota companies use natural gas as a resource for producing electricity (see “Peaking” section) and also exports processed natural gas. The North Dakota Pipeline Authority released a natural gas forecast that estimates North Dakota could be producing 2.8 – 3.3 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day in the early 2030s. This is up from 2014 natural gas production of roughly 1.6 billion cubic feet per day.

Petroleum

Petroleum is an integral part of the North Dakota energy picture. In 2012 North Dakota surpassed both California and Alaska to become the second largest oil producing state, behind only Texas.  North Dakota is also a significant point of entry for Canadian crude oil traveling by pipeline to markets in the Midwest. North Dakota’s oil and gas industry has been significantly impacted by the combination of over-production and burgeoning supplies, at a time of reduced demand worldwide. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the price of sweet crude oil fell to $39.26 a barrel in February 2016, as compared to the all-time high price in July 2008 of $133.48 per barrel. Prices in the last half of 2016 have ranged between $44 – $52 a barrel. Despite this, increased efficiencies and technology have enabled operators to continue production and remain competitive at lower prices.

Hydropower

Hydroelectric power (hydropower) accounts for approximately five percent of the electric power generation in North Dakota and is generated by the Garrison Dam and Power Plant.

Biofuels An aerial view of the ethanol plant near Hankinson. Photo courtesy of Hankinson Renewable Energy. An aerial view of the ethanol plant near Hankinson. Photo courtesy of Hankinson Renewable Energy.  North Dakota corn-based ethanol facilities have the capacity to produce a combined total of nearly 450 million gallons of ethanol each year.  The North Dakota Ethanol Council estimates that 156 million bushels of corn are utilized in the state each year to produce ethanol. North Dakota is also home to a canola-based biodiesel facility at Velva. This ADM facility has a production capacity of 85 million gallons of biodiesel per year. Work is also progressing in the development of the next generation of technologies and feedstocks for the biofuels industry.  Researchers at North Dakota State University estimate that bioenergy production could contribute an estimated $800 million in direct annual economic activity in the state.