This blog was originally published August 15, 2019. The calculator was updated in 2023 to include a mechanism that allows users to input EV charging station customer pricing by the kilowatt-hour instead of only by the minute. Please contact the Transportation & Fuels team with any questions about the calculator. Continue reading »
DOE Selects Awardees to Deploy Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs
August 11, 2023 in Carbon Management, Energy Systems Author: Ben FinzelThe following statement may be attributed to Patrice Lahlum, vice president of Carbon Management (interim) at the Great Plains Institute:
“The Great Plains Institute welcomes today’s announcement by the US Department of Energy (DOE) of their selection of two commercial-scale and 19 early-stage projects for award negotiations for the Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs program. This selection is pivotal for advancing the development and implementation of direct air capture (DAC) technologies essential for curbing US carbon emissions and achieving midcentury climate goals. Continue reading »
Statement on Vice President Doug Scott’s Appointment to Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission
March 13, 2023 in Energy Systems, News & Press Author: Darren GoodeMINNEAPOLIS—The Great Plains Institute released the following statement by President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom:
“We are excited about the announcement that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has appointed longtime Great Plains Institute (GPI) Energy Systems Vice President, Doug Scott, to serve as Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) beginning in June 2023.” Continue reading »
Electricity and Efficiency Program Name Change to Energy Systems Program
February 24, 2023 in Energy Systems Author: Doug ScottWe are excited to share important news regarding the evolution of the Electricity and Efficiency program area at Great Plains Institute—this program area will now be called Energy Systems. Continue reading »
NextGen Highways to Develop Coalitions on Transmission Infrastructure
January 15, 2023 in Energy Systems, Transportation & Fuels Author: Rolf Nordstrom
On January 9, 2022 NextGen Highways issued a press release announcing continued funding from Breakthrough Energy to develop national and state-level coalitions in 2023. The primary focus of these coalitions will be to advocate for the use of existing public rights of way (ROWs) to enable the transmission development needed to meet the nation’s aggressive decarbonization and electrification goals. Continue reading »
Colorado’s Exploration of the Community Choice Energy Model
January 10, 2023 in Energy Systems Author: Aileen ColeWith support from the Great Plains Institute, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) conducted an investigation into the potential implications of community choice energy (CCE) authorization in Colorado. CCE is an alternative to traditional investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative electric supply models and is currently authorized in several other states. Continue reading »
GPI’s Top Ten Stories of 2022
December 30, 2022 in Carbon Management, Communities, Energy Systems, Renewable Energy, Reports & Whitepapers, Transportation & Fuels Author: Jennifer ChristensenFind out what made our list of most-read stories in 2022, which includes posts we’ve published over the last year and a half. Continue reading »
Q&A: Blackout Risks Underscore Resilience & Reliability Investment Needs for US Power Grid
August 31, 2022 in Energy Systems, Renewable Energy Authors: Brian Ross, Jennifer Christensen, Matt ProrokThe US power grid faces a perfect storm—aging, underfunded infrastructure, extreme weather fueled by climate change, and a changing electricity generation portfolio. Experts warned earlier this year that huge regions of the US could have shortfalls in the power supply during times of high demand, which could lead to rolling blackouts. While blackouts haven’t occurred thus far, the system remains vulnerable to extreme weather events. Continue reading »
The Race to Expand Electric Transmission in America Has Finally Begun
August 1, 2022 in Energy Systems Author: Matt ProrokThe recent approval of a slate of long-range transmission lines in the Midwest moves the US closer to realizing a reliable, resilient grid for a net-zero carbon economy. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Board of Directors unanimously approved the $10.3 billion grid expansion that will increase grid reliability, lower system costs, and remove barriers to renewable energy projects waiting for grid interconnection. Continue reading »
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers unveiled the state’s comprehensive clean energy plan this week. The Great Plains Institute played a key role in assisting the Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy in developing the plan. Continue reading »