You might think this is about food, love, or coffee. Nope, this is about electricity. It’s hard to name something you’ll do today that doesn’t require it, and yet we mostly take it for granted, unless you lose power or your cell phone dies. Pause for a minute to consider that without electricity we would not have computers, TVs, microwaves, refrigeration, skyscrapers (no elevators), medicines that require refrigeration, and a very long list of other features of modern life. In short, electricity just might be the most important product you never think of. Continue reading »
A Quarter of the U.S. Senate Comes Together for Bipartisan Support of Carbon Capture Legislation
July 26, 2017 in Carbon Management Author: Jennifer ChristensenLast week, a quarter of the U.S. Senate came together in bipartisan fashion to cosponsor legislation that has the potential to spark deployment of critical carbon capture projects that would have important environmental, energy, and economic benefits for the country. Continue reading »
The Midwest’s First Electric School Bus is Coming to Minnesota
July 25, 2017 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Katelyn BocklundGreat River Energy (GRE), a partner of Drive Electric Minnesota, just wrapped up its tour of the first electric school bus in Minnesota (and even the Midwest). The bus will be back in the fall, transporting children in Lakeville, MN to and from school in all its electric glory, powered by 100 percent wind energy through GRE’s Revolt program. Continue reading »
How a New Project Seeks to Reduce Barriers to Solar in Greater Minnesota
July 21, 2017 in Communities Authors: Sophia Krohn, Trevor DrakeAlmost every time we give a community presentation on solar, somebody asks about how the costs of the technology are changing and whether it’s best to wait to “go solar.” It’s a smart question, and indeed the costs of the physical components of solar projects are being driven down by market forces (though arguably not quick enough to warrant waiting). The trouble with this question is that it misses the target in seeing what’s most important, which is not just the cost of hardware but the final cost of an installed system. Continue reading »
Kristen Peterson Joins GPI as a Sustainable Communities Program Assistant
July 20, 2017 in Communities, News & Press Author: Diana McKeownPlease join me in welcoming Kristen Peterson as the Great Plains Institute’s (GPI) new Sustainable Communities Program Assistant. Kristen will support the work of several projects, including Metro CERT, Minnesota GreenStep Cities, SolSmart, and LoGoPEP. Continue reading »
e21 Forum Convenes Stakeholders to Explore Consumer-Centric Rates and Performance-Based Compensation
July 12, 2017 in Energy Systems Authors: Sophia Krohn, Trevor DrakeOn Friday July 14th, over 50 people convened in St. Paul to learn about and discuss innovations towards a more customer-centric regulatory framework and utility business model for the 21stcentury. The event was the second of several e21 Forums in 2017, which are convened by the Great Plains Institute and Center for Energy and Environment and designed to provide an opportunity for interested parties in Minnesota to hear about and discuss important issues facing the electric sector. Below is a recap of the event along with links to slides and resources. Continue reading »
Eight Questions on Energy: Featuring Ken Smith, President and CEO of Ever-Green Energy
July 11, 2017 in News & Press Author: Jennifer ChristensenKen Smith, President and CEO of Ever-Green Energy answers GPI’s “Eight Questions on Energy,” sharing his insights about maximizing the productivity of our energy system, decarbonizing the economy, and pursuing practical and economical solutions. Continue reading »
Electricity Market Design and Carbon Capture Technology: The Opportunities and the Challenges
June 29, 2017 in Carbon Management, Reports & Whitepapers Author: Brad CrabtreeThe State CO2-EOR Deployment Work Group has released a new report that outlines the opportunities and challenges for integrating power plants with carbon capture into the nation’s wholesale electricity markets. The State CO2-EOR Deployment Work Group works to expand carbon capture from power plants and industrial facilities for use in enhanced oil recovery with geologic storage (CO2-EOR). Continue reading »
News Release: State Work Group Releases New Report on Carbon Capture & Electricity Markets
June 27, 2017 in Carbon Management, News & Press Author: Patrice LahlumWASHINGTON, DC – A multi-state group co-convened by Wyoming Governor Matt Mead and Montana Governor Steve Bullock released a new report today outlining the opportunities and challenges for integrating power plants with carbon capture into the nation’s wholesale electricity markets. The State CO2-EOR Deployment Work Group works to expand carbon capture from power plants and industrial facilities for use in enhanced oil recovery with geologic storage (CO2-EOR). Continue reading »
Four Key Takeaways from Midwestern Leaders’ Dialogue on Energy Storage & Grid Modernization
June 26, 2017 in Energy Systems Author: Matt ProrokIn March, I wrote a blog post describing why so many energy stakeholders are now interested in energy storage and how that interest is beginning to develop into tangible deployments of storage resources across the country. Continue reading »