Blog


The Better Energy Community is constantly growing and evolving.

Read about our latest projects and successes on our blog.

Greenway Office Building in Minneapolis Adds Solar Electric System Using PACE Financing

November 7, 2016 in Communities, Energy Systems Author: Diana McKeown

*This post originally appeared on the Clean Energy Resource Teams website here. To learn more about Metro CERT, please visit GPI’s Metro CERT project page here.*

Built in 1999, the Greenway Office Building (GPI is a key building tenant) includes solar PV, geothermal heating and cooling, and a green roof. Constructed to many of the design points of LEED (Leadership Energy Efficient Design) this ENERGY STAR building hosts many nonprofit and for-profit tenants working toward better housing and a more energy independent future. Wellington Management recently utilized PACE financing to replace the building’s aging solar PV array. Continue reading »

Deciding Whether to Cover New Units under the Clean Power Plan

October 26, 2016 in Reports & Whitepapers

Clean Power Plan Cover

States that decide to pursue a mass-based trading approach to meet federal Clean Power Plan (CPP) requirements have the option of covering new electric generating units in addition to existing units. States that choose to cover new units will receive what EPA calls the “new source complement,” which consists of additional allowances added to the state’s mass-based emissions goal. Continue reading »

New Transmission to Expand Midwestern Wind Power

October 26, 2016 in Energy Systems Authors: Dane McFarlane, Matt Prorok

Wind Turbine

Note: This blog post contains three interactive maps and may take a moment to load

A set of new electric transmission lines, developed with the help of the Great Plains Institute, is under construction to connect more Midwestern wind power to large cities in the east. The Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator (MISO), which operates the electric grid in the Midwest, has been moving forward with the Multi-Value Project (MVP) portfolio since 2011. Continue reading »

Midwestern Governor’s Association 6th Transmission Summit Draws Engaged Crowd

October 13, 2016 in Energy Systems Author: Matt Prorok

On October 5th and 6th, the Midwestern Governor’s Association, with assistance from the Great Plains Institute, convened its sixth transmission summit in Columbus, OH. This year’s meeting focused on modernizing the electric grid, and the emerging technologies and regulatory hurdles that accompany an industry in transition.  Information is available at the Midwestern Governors Association website. Continue reading »

Thank You for Celebrating with Us!

October 6, 2016 in News & Press Author: Will Dunder

As the first speaker kicked off GPI’s second annual Energy Innovation Celebration on Sept. 29, the energy in the room was palpable. The Better Energy Community brimmed with enthusiasm and a cooperative spirit as we began an evening to celebrate human and technological innovation for building a better energy future. It took almost a full minute for the room to quiet as the group of over 300 guests wound down conversations carried in from the evening’s reception at the Nicollet Island Pavilion on the Mississippi River. Continue reading »

Our Newsletter

Sign Up for Better Energy Community News

Sign up to receive the latest news and announcements from the Great Plains Institute.