Local Energy Initiatives

Local Energy Initiative Collage

Meetings a Huge Success!

 
In early September, nearly 450 people in the five greater Minnesota transmission districts got together to discuss the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 and the Dispersed Generation Study, as well as what can be done to promote community-based energy development in Minnesota. Attendees included electric utility representatives, zoning and planning officials, city officials, county commissioners, economic development professionals, renewable energy developers, large end users of electricity, and other citizens interested in community based renewable energy.

Statewide Summary of Meetings (10mb)

Prior to the start of the Dispersed Generation study and at other key points in the process, the Minnesota Department of Commerce (DOC) is statutorily required to hold meetings in each of the five greater Minnesota transmission planning zones. The morning sessions of the Local Energy Initiatives meetings were the first of these required meetings. At these initial meetings, the DOC collected feedback related to the study and gathered input on regional interest and plans for dispersed renewable generation. The information collected from these meetings will be a key input to the study. The recommendations from regional stakeholders on potential locations for renewable energy projects will be combined with information on existing, committed, and contracted renewable projects, with renewable resource geographical information (e.g. wind maps), and with information on projects in the Midwest Independent System Operator interconnection queue to formulate the generation scenarios to be studied.

These meetings were the first of three; the next meetings will be held after the impact analysis for the first phase is completed and when a draft final report for the first phase is available. The first phase of the study is to be completed by June 2008. Next meeting dates are yet to be determined.

Agenda

 
Morning Session: Dispersed Generation Study
Attendees learned from the MN Department of Commerce about recently passed legislation such as the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 and the Dispersed Generation Study. They then took part in a working session to provide feedback related to the study and to gather input on regional interest and plans for dispersed renewable generation.

Afternoon Session: Working Together; What is Your Role?
Attendees learned how the new renewable energy legislation provides opportunities for them and their communities to participate directly in community-based energy development. Comments provided in the afternoon sessions indicated strong interest in the following areas:

  • A strong need for technical assistance to advance projects and to understand the economics (return-on-investment) related to C-BED projects
  • Overall continued education and public awareness (topics vary by region)
  • More information and focus on conservation and energy efficiency
  • Improved collaboration and knowledge of available resources
  • Further understanding of transmission studies and needs
  • Continued support for renewable energy and conservation in state and federal legislation

Information gathered in the afternoon will be used by the collaborating host organizations to coordinate technical assistance resources to support both the project initiatives and needs identified at the meetings and to strengthen the network of folks working on projects within each transmission zone and across the state. Additionally, the afternoon sessions identified approximately 125 proposed and planned projects throughout the state. This list was given to the Department of Commerce to allow comparisons with data collected in the morning session.

Locations & Dates

  • Southwest: September 5, 2007; Host: Southwest Initiative Foundation
  • West Central: September 10, 2007; Host: West Central Research and Outreach Center
  • Southeast: September 11, 2007; Host: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
  • Northeast: September 13, 2007; Hosts: Silver Creek Institute, Northeast CERT, and Northeast RSDP
  • Northwest: September 19, 2007; Host: Northwest RSDP and Northwest CERT

Resources

 
Statewide Summary of Meetings (10mb)

Presentations:

Handouts:

  • Summary of 2007 Minnesota Legislation Relating to Community Wind >>
  • C-BED Overview >>
  • C-BED-related Chapter 136 of Next Generation Energy Bill >>
  • Southwest Initiative Foundation Renewable Energy Resource Guide >>
  • Participating organizations >>

Maps:

  • Minnesota Transmission Zones >>
  • MN Average Solar Radiation, 1998-2002 >>
  • MN Ethanol DDGS: Energy Content by County >>
  • MN Dairy: Energy Content by County >>
  • MN Hay, Straw and Stalks: MW BioPower Capacity by County >>
  • MN Soybean Oil: Energy Content by County >>
  • Wind Planning Maps with Electric Transmission Lines & Substations >>

Other online resources:

  • Minnesota Department of Commerce C-BED Info >>
  • C-BED Legislation >>
  • State wind maps >>
  • C-BED Organization >>
  • Minnesota Electric Transmission Planning >>
  • West Central CBED Study Data >>
  • CERTs Regional Strategic Energy Plans >>