In our work on modeling and projections of electric sector greenhouse gas emissions, GPI often sees analysts using federally published electricity generation and emissions data defined by large geographic electricity regions rather than by an individual state or a specific electric utility. While using these large regions is convenient in terms of data availability, it can miss key differences in electric sector emissions that are available at more granular geographic regions. Continue reading »
Managed Electric Vehicle Charging Benefits Tested in Solar Synchronization Pilot
March 3, 2020 in Energy Systems, Transportation & Fuels Author: Maggie KristianManaged electric vehicle charging can have benefits for two different groups—the demand side (the electric vehicle owner, the building owner, the power customer) and the supply side (the whole electric grid system). This blog looks at the benefits of managed electric vehicle charging and how it works in practice, using 2019 examples from the Greenway Building (GPI’s headquarters) where charging levels are synchronized with on-site solar production. Continue reading »
Northfield Climate Action Plan Puts City on Path to Reach Ambitious Targets
February 26, 2020 in Communities Authors: Abby Finis, Jenna GreeneIn November 2019, the City of Northfield joined several other Minnesota communities in adopting the Northfield Climate Action Plan. Northfield’s efforts are an excellent example of a small city setting ambitious climate goals and planning for long-term resilience. Action on climate at all scales, from small to large cities, is critical to achieving state, national, and global carbon reduction targets. Continue reading »
Capital City Commits to Climate Action with New Plan
February 11, 2020 in Communities Author: Abby FinisThe last agenda item at the final city council meeting of the decade in Saint Paul, Minnesota was the adoption of the Saint Paul Climate Action and Resilience Plan. After more than 30 residents stood in line to publicly share their support for the plan for Minnesota’s capital city, the council unanimously voted to adopt it. It was a momentous and triumphant moment and there is much for the city to be proud of. Continue reading »
Stakeholders Provide Guidance as Xcel Energy Looks at 50 Percent Increase in Demand Response
February 6, 2020 in Energy Systems Author: Trevor DrakeXcel Energy explored increasing its demand response portfolio by 50 percent with Minnesota stakeholders from 2017-2019. The results highlight considerations for utilities looking to deploy larger portfolios of advanced demand response. This blog, the first in a three-part series, shares demand response design principles and filing objectives developed by stakeholders to inform Xcel Energy’s planning for new demand response programs. Continue reading »
Climate Action Work Plans Can Provide Cities More Accessible, Near-Term Strategies
February 5, 2020 in Communities, Reports & Whitepapers Author: Abby FinisI am excited to share that my colleagues and I have developed a new approach for cities to achieve their energy and climate goals more quickly and affordably: climate action work plans. These work plans are intended to support cities in setting near-term targets by creating an implementation schedule with specific steps for completing high-impact actions. Continue reading »
Pilot Project Gets Solar Panels in Sync with Electric Vehicle Chargers
January 9, 2020 in Energy Systems, Transportation & Fuels Author: Maggie KristianWhat if we could harness the energy produced by the sun and maximize its potential to power electric vehicles (EVs) with zero-carbon electricity? That’s exactly what GPI has been working on in a pilot project that studies how managed EV charging can pull varying levels of power from the solar panels on our rooftop based on how much solar is being produced at a given time. This ability to use “solar synchronization” could have big implications for reducing carbon emissions in both the electricity and transportation sectors, and presents potential benefits for consumers and businesses alike. Continue reading »
Approval of Xcel Energy’s Electric Vehicle Pilots Highlights Key Considerations for Electric Utilities
December 12, 2019 in Energy Systems, Transportation & Fuels Author: Trevor Drake
Following a stakeholder engagement process facilitated by the Great Plains Institute in 2018, Xcel Energy received approval and is moving forward in Minnesota with new electric vehicle (EV) pilot programs.
As investor-owned electric utilities seek to meet the needs of shareholders, consumers, and the environment, EVs offer a unique opportunity. If implemented carefully, utility investments in EV infrastructure and programs can provide a series of benefits, including new sources of utility revenue, better services for EV drivers, reduced costs for all consumers by making the electric system more efficient, and reduced pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading »
Impacting Humanity’s Most Important Decade: Annual Giving at GPI
December 11, 2019 in News & Press Author: Morgan ZehnerAs 2019 comes to a close, we are met with the stark realization that the new year marks the beginning of the most important juncture in the history of our climate, planet, and civilization. The 2020s will define the future of both humanity and planet Earth as our society must take profound action to confront the climate crisis or the world that we have known—both natural and economic—will change drastically. Continue reading »
Award-Winning Software Enables GPI to Show Real-World Possibilities for Carbon Capture
December 9, 2019 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Dane McFarlaneGame-changing technology that models the lowest-cost, best placement, and most effective use of carbon capture, transport, and storage has earned a prestigious research and development award. A technology that happens to be at the heart of GPI’s work on carbon capture for the past few years. Continue reading »