This is an exciting time in the electric vehicle (EV) landscape. Tesla just posted a profit for the first time, Volkswagen is helping to build up charging infrastructure across North America, and many other auto manufacturers are committing to an EV future. EVs are gaining traction and slowly transforming car-based mobility in the United States. And here in the central US, momentum is growing with collaborative efforts to drive EV adoption and infrastructure development. Continue reading »
We’re grateful for the incredible support we received over the last year as people invested in expanding the Great Plains Institute’s impact by helping us succeed in meeting two challenge matches. Continue reading »
System Design for a High-Renewables Future: Insights from the MN Solar Pathways Analysis
January 14, 2019 in Communities, Energy Systems Author: Brian Ross
If sunlight strikes a solar panel, but we don’t use the electricity generated, is it “wasted”? In some parts of the country, so much solar energy is produced at midday that there is no use for it. Demand for electricity has already been fully met by solar and other sources of generation; the value of additional electricity on the grid is actually negative. Continue reading »
Lightning Talks, Live Polling Spark Engaging Discussions at Metro CERT Annual Event
January 10, 2019 in Communities Author: Kristoffer Acuña
The Metro Clean Energy Resource team recently brought people together from the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area for its 11th annual event. Highlights from the event, which took place in November 2018, include live polling, a panel of lightning talks focusing on clean energy actions in the metro area, and clean energy action postcards that will be sent to attendees. In this blog, we’ll share some of the results of the discussions and resources shared with attendees. Continue reading »
Innovation, Collaboration Lead to First-Ever Commercial Flight Using Low-Carbon Fuel Produced from Captured Waste Gas
January 8, 2019 in Carbon Management, Transportation & Fuels Author: Jennifer Christensen
Manchester, United kingdom – August 30, 2015: Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 747-443 cn 30885-1268 G-VROS moment after take off from Manchester Airport.
The power of innovation and collaboration was on full display as the first-ever transatlantic, commercial flight using fuel produced from waste gases captured at a steel plant flew from Orlando, FL to London’s Gatwick airport last fall. The flight was the result of a collaboration between Virgin Atlantic and LanzaTech, with support from their partner Boeing. Continue reading »
Powering the Future in Rural Minnesota: Assessing Views of Solar Energy as a Local Resource
December 7, 2018 in Communities Authors: Brian Ross, Jenna Greene
Like many parts of the US, communities in rural Minnesota are experiencing growing interest among residents and businesses in development of an untapped, local economic resource: solar energy. To help communities understand and plan for development of solar resources, the Great Plains Institute has engaged local leaders to identify key gaps in information, challenges, and opportunities associated with such development. Continue reading »
Cities Need Forecasted Data to Make Impactful Emissions Reductions
December 6, 2018 in Communities Author: Abby Finis
Cities have a greater ability than they realize to bend the emissions curve toward a low-carbon future. From zoning, to line-items in the city budget, to projects included in a capital improvement program; there are touchpoints in the regulatory, policy, and planning authority of local governments that can be leveraged to influence carbon emissions within their jurisdictions. Continue reading »
Enabling Local Action on Energy Goals through Engagement on State Policy
November 29, 2018 in Communities Author: Jenna Greene
Local governments of all sizes are setting energy goals across Minnesota. They see the rapid advancements in technology and the economic benefits that come with renewable energy and electrification of transportation. Yet when it comes to implementation, communities regularly face barriers to enact the programs and projects that will help them achieve their goals. Continue reading »
Governors’ Partnership for Carbon Capture Releases Letter in Support of USE IT Act
November 19, 2018 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Patrice Lahlum
A recently formed governors’ group aimed at advancing the development and deployment of carbon capture projects and CO2 pipeline infrastructure across the United States sent a letter to Congressional leaders today urging passage this year of the bipartisan Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act, S. 2602. Continue reading »
GPI Receives 2018 Nonprofit Partner Award from the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association
November 14, 2018 in Communities, Energy Systems, News & Press Author: Gail Nosek
The Great Plains Institute (GPI) is proud to be recognized by the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA) with the 2018 MnSEIA Nonprofit Partner Award. GPI President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom accepted the award at MnSEIA’s annual conference this week. Continue reading »
