Combined heat and power (CHP) is a system that not only generates electricity, but also harnesses the thermal energy from power generation for heating and cooling applications (typically burning natural gas for electricity and capturing the exhaust for steam heat). By combining these two processes, some CHP systems can achieve thermal efficiencies of 60-80 percent, which is up to twice the efficiency of traditional power generation. Continue reading »
As part of the Grow Solar Partnership, toolkits have been assembled to equip local governments in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois with information regarding solar development as it relates to planning, zoning, and permitting. The toolkits were created in 2016, then model ordinances are being updated in 2020 to reflect new best practices and lessons learned since 2016. Minnesota and Iowa are updated and Illinois and Wisconsin are in process, with ordinance for Indiana and Michigan under development. The purpose of these toolkits is to provide resources that will assist communities in addressing barriers to solar energy installations in a manner tailored to each community’s needs. Continue reading »
As part of the recent budget bill, Congress passed legislation to expand and reform a key tax credit called 45Q for deployment of carbon capture and storage projects in the United States. Continue reading »
As part of a larger budget bill earlier this year, Congress passed legislation to expand and reform a key tax credit called 45Q for deployment of carbon capture and storage projects in the United States. The legislation, introduced in 2017 as the FUTURE Act, received broad bipartisan support in Congress and was supported by state leaders and by an unprecedented coalition called the Carbon Capture Coalition. Continue reading »
There has been a growing interest from cities in Minnesota to explore options for adding electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure in their communities. Continue reading »
With the adoption of the St. Louis Park Climate Action Plan in early February, the Minnesota city became a leading example of a community moving from setting ambitious energy and carbon emission goals to laying out a roadmap for implementation. Continue reading »
The wide-ranging budget bill passed by Congress and signed by the President includes the FUTURE Act; legislation introduced last year in the U.S. Senate to reform the federal Section 45Q tax credit for capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from power plants and industrial facilities. Continue reading »
Satish Jayaram, director of Cummins Global Energy Ventures, has joined the Great Plains Institute’s (GPI’s) board of directors. Continue reading »
Priti Patel, Great River Energy’s vice president and chief transmission officer, has joined the Great Plains Institute’s (GPI’s) board of directors. Continue reading »
Great Plains Institute co-convened coalition of industry, labor, and environmental interests which boosted support for the FUTURE Act. Continue reading »
