by Caleb Jones cjones@amec.coop
I firmly believe there’s a fortune to be made in televising fifth grade basketball games. If you haven’t witnessed one, you’re missing out on pure entertainment. The varying heights, speeds and skill levels make for an unpredictable, and often hilarious, game. As a coach for my son’s team, I see this firsthand.
My son, Max, for instance, towers over most of his teammates and dominates the rebounds. His buddy, Ethan, better known as “Wheels” can dribble between his legs and drain three-pointers like he’s been doing it for decades. Orion is a master at always finding the open player for a pass. The most exciting part? You never really know which kid is going to catch fire that day.
People say the hardest part of coaching is dealing with parents, but we got lucky in that department. The biggest challenge is making sure we have the right mix of skills on the court. A team that can only shoot won’t win many games, just like a team without a strong defense will get run over. Success depends on having the right combination of size, speed and skills on the court at the same time.
The same principle applies to keeping your lights on. Your electric cooperative relies on a mix of power sources. A reliable electric grid isn’t built on just one energy source – it takes a team. Natural gas and coal are like your steady, dependable starters, always ready to go when needed. Then there’s wind and solar – your streaky shooters. When the wind is blowing or the sun is shining, they can light up the scoreboard. But what happens when the wind dies down or the sun sets? That’s when the rest of the team steps up, ensuring the lights stay on and your house stays warm.
If you put all your eggs in one basket, you’re in for a rough season. Supply chain disruptions or any other calamity can take an entire fuel source out of the game. That’s why a diverse lineup of energy sources is critical. A mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro, wind and solar ensures when one player is having an off night, another can step up and keep the team – or in this case, the grid – running.
Winning a basketball season is great, but a championship team doesn’t just rely on its current lineup. That kid who couldn’t dribble suddenly figures it out. Then, the next season, another kid shows up 6 inches taller. Your electric co-op does the same by investing in new technologies, exploring emerging energy sources to ensure we can maintain reliable, affordable power well into the future.
Keeping the lights on is all about strategy. We must have the right players in the right positions at the right time. And just like in basketball, a balanced approach is the best path to victory.
Max may never be the three-point king of the court, but I did catch him practicing in the driveway last night. So, maybe there’s hope yet.
Caleb Jones is the executive vice president and CEO of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. He is a member of Boone Electric Cooperative