Many wind and solar energy projects in the Midcontinent will face the decision to repower or decommission as they reach the end of their useful lifespan between 2020-2050. These decisions will impact the energy mix of the existing electricity system—and its carbon emissions. We analyzed potential scenarios for repowering the Midcontinent’s wind and solar energy fleet, sharing potential implications for the region’s electricity system and carbon emissions. These scenarios show why repowering aging renewables in the Midcontinent is important to continue reducing the region’s electricity emissions. Continue reading »
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US Cities Step Up to Join a New Clean Energy Challenge
June 15, 2020 in Communities, News & Press Author: Lola Schoenrich
US Cities Step Up to Join a New Clean Energy Challenge
Initiative supports local clean energy action by 30 cities in 5 states
For Immediate Release: Contact: Lola Schoenrich, Sustainable States Network, Cell: 612-720-9558, Email: [email protected]
Minneapolis, MN—How well do small and mid-sized US cities stack up when it comes to clean energy goals? That’s what the Sustainable States Community Energy Challenge aims to show with tools and support for 30 communities in five states to assess their clean energy goals and initiatives. The challenge will compare clean energy achievements across similarly-sized cities, assess future initiatives, and provide project implementation assistance. Additionally, participating communities will be a part of an in-state peer cohort and will receive technical assistance to completing a pressing clean energy initiative.
Together: Creating Technology for Real-World Impact
June 10, 2020 in Carbon Management Author: Morgan Zehner
This blog is one in a series that celebrates the wide variety of professionals who have been touched by the Great Plains Institute (GPI). Together – GPI’s spring 2020 campaign – showcases people who work in multiple industries and have various constituents and customers, but all play an important role in helping America transform its energy system. Read all the stories in the Together series here.
Together: Collaborative, Multi-Sector Efforts Drive Progress on Clean Energy
June 10, 2020 in Carbon Management Author: Morgan Zehner
This blog is one in a series of stories celebrating the wide-variety of professionals who have been touched by the Great Plains Institute (GPI). Together – GPI’s spring 2020 fundraising campaign – showcases people who work in multiple industries and have various constituents and customers, but all play an important role in helping America transform its energy system. Continue reading »
Performance-Based Regulation in Minnesota: A Decade of Progress
June 9, 2020 in Energy Systems Author: Trevor Drake
Performance-based regulation for electric utilities is gaining increased attention across the US. States like Hawaii and New York are already testing new models to align utility performance with public policy goals. Minnesota took a slow and steady approach to performance-based regulation, building a foundation over a decade to ensure that changes to utility regulation are in the public interest and avoid unintended consequences. The development of performance-based regulation in Minnesota continues to garner national attention and was recently the subject of a Smart Electric Power Alliance case study in their three-part best practices toolkit series on the same topic. Continue reading »
How to Compensate Farmers for Emission Reductions Through a Midwestern Clean Fuels Policy
June 8, 2020 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Brendan Jordan
In working towards a Midwestern clean fuels policy, there’s a great deal of interest in compensating farmers providing feedstock for fuels for the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction benefits they’re creating on the farm. Research from South Dakota State University is playing an important role in informing those discussions. Continue reading »
Mural by Andres Guzman. Photo by William Dunder.
We continue to be heartbroken over the senseless, tragic killing of George Floyd while in police custody just blocks from our doorstep. We have seen anger, grief, fear, and violence unfold before our eyes in our neighborhood and across the country.
Carbon Capture Coalition Welcomes IRS Issuance of Proposed 45Q Rule and Requirements for Secure Geologic Storage
May 29, 2020 in Carbon Management Author: Jennifer Christensen
Great Plains Institute Vice President and Carbon Capture Coalition Director Brad Crabtree issued the following statement responding to the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service issuance of proposed regulations to implement the Section 45Q tax credit. Continue reading »
Together: Putting American Land to Work to Meet Climate Goals
May 28, 2020 in Transportation & Fuels Author: Morgan Zehner
This blog is one in a series of stories celebrating the wide-variety of professionals who have been touched by the Great Plains Institute (GPI). Together – GPI’s spring 2020 fundraising campaign – showcases people who work in multiple industries and have various constituents and customers, but all play an important role in helping America transform its energy system. Continue reading »
Pilot Project Studies Managed Electric Vehicle Charging in a Workplace Setting
May 27, 2020 in Energy Systems, Transportation & Fuels Author: Maggie Kristian
The Great Plains Institute’s pilot project to study managed electric vehicle (EV) charging with on-site solar generation shows how a solar-synchronized EV charging system can function throughout the year—even in wintry Minnesota—and meet the needs of EV drivers at a workplace. This post describes the impacts of the solar-synchronized system on EVs at GPI’s headquarters in Minneapolis. The pilot project findings provide data that can contribute to discussions about building managed charging infrastructure, grid impacts, and factors to consider for future system designs. Continue reading »
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