Clean Energy Resource Teams

Northeastern Minnesota is not a region of our state usually touted for its wind resources, but a dedicated group of researchers in Duluth are beginning to measure what they hope is the North Shore’s hidden wind energy potential.

Suzanne Peterson runs Azariah Acres Farm, a sustainable farm in Morrison County that raises pasture-fed sheep, yak, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, and guinea hens. A geothermal system was installed for heating livestock drinking water during the winter months.

With funding from the Central CERT, University of Minnesota’s Central Regional Partnership, Minnesota Power, Itasca Mantrap, and local donations of goods and services, the Park Rapids School District is conducting an integrated wind study to measure the wind speed and is moving ahead with plans of erecting a wind turbine at the K-8 Century School, which is also located near the High School in Park Rapids.

At the Eco-domes Conservation™ Campus in Brainerd, MN, used fryer oil has a new purpose—to powerengines. When David Winkelman wanted to run a diesel engine on a clean fuel, he didn’t grow energy crops. Instead, he went to a local restaurant. He discovered that an abundant energy source sitting in restaurants—used fryer oil.

The goal of the assessment was to determine what fuel sources the plant has available to it, characterize the fuel sources, and then look at long-term viability of the fuel source to power the plant for the remainder of its lifespan. The assessment covered a wide range of potential biomass fuels, including urban waste wood, oat hulls, corn stover, grasses, and forest residues.

The Hartley Nature Center, in collaboration with BJ Kohlstedt at North Shore Community School, created Energy Education—6th grade curriculum including six classes that pertain to energy education and alternative energy. The classes spanned October, November, January, February, March and April of 2006-2007.

Bemidji State University received $8.3 million in funding from the state legislature in 2006 to renovate their science building, Sattgast Hall. Funding from CERTs provided financial resources for evaluating the existing ventilations system and for creating a proposal for evnergy and money-saving improvements.

A strong sense of community is important for members of the White Earth Indian Reservation, especially among the elders. Last year, John Shimek, Alternative Energy Organizer for the White Earth Land Recovery Project, saw a need for a reduction in energy use for members of the White Earth Reservation, not only to reduce energy costs, but also to decrease the amount of power needed from power plants.

Todd Juwizak and Eva Barr are combining traditional homesteading practices with modern renewaable energy technology at DreamAcres Farm, an off-grid 60-acre organic farm in Southeast Minnesota.

The Hunt Utilities Group (HUG) research campus has been described by some as a “playground for energy geeks.” Their research campus is a center for sustainable building design and materials use, and houses non-profits Rural Renewable Energy Alliance and Happy Dancing Turtle.