Great 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 »
Almost 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 »
Please 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 »
On 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 »
Ken 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 »
The 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 »
WASHINGTON, 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 »
In 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 »
Over the last decade and a half, there has been a significant increase in renewable energy generation in the United States. Many states and communities consider renewable energy investments as an opportunity to stimulate local economic development. Continue reading »
Two recent articles by regional and national media outlets recognize the leadership and impact of the e21 Initiative’s efforts to develop a more customer-centric and sustainable framework for utility regulation in Minnesota. Continue reading »
