CERTs Monthly Update - November 2008
Hello CERT members and friends, and welcome to the November 2008 edition of our Monthly Update!
Regional Highlights & Activities
Statewide
Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon applications close on December 15th! With this program you can save your school money and reduce your carbon footprint! The program is focused on helping schools reduce carbon in two ways: (1) Supporting carbon-cutting student-led projects; (2) Improving school building operations and maintenance. Learn More >>
CERTs 2009 Conference Earlybird Participant Registration Extended to December 15th: You won’t want to miss the Third Biennial Statewide CERTs Conference, Harnessing Resources & Teamwork for Minnesota’s Energy Future, February 10-11, 2009 in St. Cloud. Register soon for savings! Click here to learn more >>
The Minnesota Solar Hot Water Rebate Program, which opened on July 2, 2008, has approximately $46,000 remaining of the $100,000 available. Rebate levels are determined upon the housing unit and the system size. For program guidelines and application, see: MN Solar Hot Water Rebate Application
The Minnesota Solar Electric Rebate Program has been fully reserved at this time. While there have been no announcements of plans to extend the program, the Office of Energy Security is accepting applications to be placed on a waiting list pending additional funding. Applicants on the waiting list will be notified it a new state solar PV program is created. At this time the Office of Energy Security will continue to review applications on behalf of applicants whose utilities offer a solar rebate program, including those in Minnesota Power and Great River Energy service territories. All other applicants need not send supporting documentation at this time (shading analysis, photos, evidence of intent.) See the following: Solar Electric Rebate Program Instructions for the application and program guidelines.
The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency is administering the state’s Microenergy Loan Program for residential energy improvements, including energy efficiency, solar, small wind and more. It is being offered as part of their Fix-up Fund program. The current interest rate posted on the agency’s website is 6.75% (11/6/08). Interested parties can apply for this loan through an approved lender on the agency’s website (participating lenders). To get more information about the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, visit www.mnhousing.gov
Micro-Energy and Fix-up Fund Partnership The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency will continuously be updating their state wide home improvement programs. Programs include the Fix-up Fund (FUF) & Community Fix-up Fund (CFUF). On November 13th of this month the Micro-Energy and Fix-Up Fund was added to their online archive. The Micro-Energy Fund allows homeowners financing for renewable energy sources such as solar energy systems, wind turbines and generators to reduce their energy costs. Homeowners are also eligible for smaller energy efficiency improvements, and include insulation and air sealing. For additional information on financing and improvements available, click here.
For a comprehensive list of available federal, state, and utility incentives for solar and other energy improvements, please see www.dsireusa.org.
Next Generation Energy Grants: On November 6th Governor Tim Pawlenty announced the Next Generation Energy grants at the University of Minnesota- St. Paul Campus. Eight projects were awarded to share nearly $3 million in funding from the Next Generation Energy Board. The projects will accelerate the development of renewable energy and advanced biofuels in Minnesota. The Next Generation Energy Board was established by Governor Pawlenty as part of the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007. The board develops next generation energy and biofuels policy, and makes recommendations to the Governor and Legislature about how the state can invest its resources to most efficiently achieve energy independence, agricultural and natural resources sustainability, and rural economic vitality. A total of 28 proposals were submitted to a technical review committee comprised of staff from the Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Commerce, Employment and Economic Development and the Pollution Control Agency. After ranking the projects, eight were selected for funding. The eight projects are:
- Central Minnesota Ethanol Partnership, Little Falls – $910,000: The development of Minnesota’s first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant is closer to reality because of this joint venture between the Central Minnesota Ethanol Cooperative, SunOpta BioProcess, and Bell Independent Power Corporation. The grant will fund the final stage of a study to determine the feasibility of building a commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant that would be co-located with the existing Central Minnesota corn ethanol plant.
- Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company, Benson – $700,000: This project will introduce new technology that will allow the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company facility to use farm or woodland biomass to power plant operations, replacing up to 90 percent of its current dependence on natural gas. The technology will also allow the facility to eventually transition from corn-based ethanol production to cellulosic ethanol production. Demonstrating the feasibility of this technology is a critical step in making biomass gasification a commercial reality.
- Rick Neuvirth Farm, Elkton – $220,000: Anaerobic digester technology uses methane gas produced from manure or other waste materials to generate electricity. This technology helps livestock facilities meet their energy needs and reduce operating costs while improving air quality and reducing odors. Anaerobic digester technology has proven to be very successful on dairy farms, but it has yet to be implemented in swine operations in Minnesota. Mr. Neuvirth, a hog producer, plans to use anaerobic digester technology on his swine operation, generating electricity to meet nearly 100 percent of his farm’s energy needs.
- Northern Excellence Seed, Williams – $200,000: This seed company’s project will demonstrate the viability of burning waste biomass such as grasses to produce electricity, which will bring the state closer to commercializing small-scale gasification technology and use of turfgrass biomass to produce electricity.
- Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers, Raymond – $400,000: One of the challenges facing biomass-to-energy technology is how to efficiently store and transport various raw materials such as crop waste, grasses and woodland biomass. This farmer-owned cooperative will demonstrate a promising approach called “pelletizing,” in which a variety of biomass materials are processed into uniform sized pellets that can be more easily stored and transported.
- University of Minnesota Department of Forestry, St. Paul – $100,000: The U of M will study the sustainability of the state’s approximately 16 million acres of forests. As the demand for woody biomass increases, the study will provide key information for public officials and private investors about the supply of woody biomass in order to ensure sound policy and investment decisions.
- Central Lakes College Ag Center, Wadena – $100,000: The project will provide significant insight into the production feasibility and energy content of five perennial energy crops, including four native prairie plants. The project is a partnership between a MnSCU campus, local farmers and University of Minnesota faculty in evaluating switchgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, Survivor false indigo, prairie cordgrass and miscanthus. The project will demonstrate best-management practices for growing and harvesting the grasses for use as cellulosic energy crops.
- University of Minnesota, Morris – $50,000: The University of Minnesota, Morris is in the process of installing a biomass gasifier to serve as the campus heating plant and help reduce campus energy costs. This project will lead to the development of a contract with a biomass producer and establish a model for biomass production.
Central Region
Rural Renewable Energy Alliance: RREAL is having their big year end shin-dig this weekend. Learn more >>
ARC at HUG: Exciting things are happening at the Hunt Utilities Group campus in Pine River! HUG is working on what they call Agricultural Resilient Communities (ARC)! HUG believes that houses should: (1) Heat and cool themselves without fossil fuels (even in Minnesota); (2) Feed the occupants as much as possible; and (3) Recycle their own water and nutrients. Neighborhoods full of these buildings will be known as ARCs. Agricultural Resilient Communities (ARCs) are a way to live closer to the earth and to our needs as humans. They emphasize healthy foods, local economies and knowing your neighbors…
Click here to view HUG’s ARC photo journal >>
Metro Region
Shoreview Green Community: On November 5th Metro CERTs met with the Shoreview Green Community Sierra Club group. They are interested in exploring ways to engage their city and community members to take actions to reduce their energy use and encourage the city to consider sustainability in their plans and operations. We hope to conduct a workshop about saving energy and money in their homes this winter.
Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) and Minnesota Land of Lakes chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Annual Conference: On November 6th, Metro CERTs participated on a “Saving Energy” panel with Energy Smart and Hunt Utilities Group. We shared information with the group on how to save energy in their homes, businesses and communities. For more information about the conference and RAM/SWANA go to www.RecycleMinnesota.org.
Lake Elmo: The Metro CERTs staff has started working with the Lake Elmo Rotary club to create a series of community workshops around sustainability issues. We will be focusing on energy, food and water in 2009. We hope to provide useful information and opportunities for residents and businesses to take action. The first workshop, “Saving Energy and Money in Your Homes and Businesses” will take place on January 14, 2009 at the Lake Elmo Event Center from 7pm to 8:30pm. For more information about the Lake Elmo Rotary go to www.LakeElmoRotary.org.
Northeast Region
New Wind Energy Resource Map for Northeast Minnesota: The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Center for Sustainable Community Program has monitored wind at 7 sites along the Northshore of Lake Superior made possible with funding from NMSDP, MN’s Lake Superior Costal Program, NE CERTs and UMD’s CLA. The data collected from the 7 sites has been used to develop a new, high resolution wind resource map of the region which shows significantly more wind than current statewide wind resource maps. This new information has inspired interest in small-scale community and larger-scale commercial wind development. Smaller scale projects have begun in Silver Bay, Lutsen, Grand Portage and Grand Marais as a result. For further information contact Dr. Mike Mageau at mmageau@d.umn.edu or 218-726-6133.
Update from NE CERT Coordinator Bill Mittlefehldt (Yeah Bill!): Bill has been working on a number of projects including (read the following in one breath, we dare you): Participating in the Green Jobs Taskforce meeting, working with Chuck Hartley of LHB on energy efficiency projects, storyboarding for the 2008 Twin Ports Interfaith Initiative on Global Warming DVD, meeting with staff at City of Duluth to explore use of Climate-Energy-Community Grant funding, attending the CERT-sponsored event at Proctor High School where all students shared in an exciting Earth Fair, providing grant writing support for civic teams in Ely and Silver Bay, communicating with Dan Thiede about the currently developing CERTs Clean Energy Documentary, and providing support and direction for a Silver Bay plan for an Eco-Industrial Park off highway 61 and Lake Superior. Zowie!
Duluth Port Keeps Itself and Others Busy With Wind Turbine Components: (Thanks to Windustry for passing this information along). The head of the Great Lakes has become a major funnel of wind turbine components and is set to handle a record 2,000 this year. The increasing popularity with alternative energy has pushed wind turbines to the majority of the port’s heavy lifting work. Most of the machines that pass through the Duluth-Superior region arrive from Germany and Denmark and are bound for wind farms in Montana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. Click here to read the full article from the Star Tribune.
Cleaner Energy Cleaner Duluth: This documentary film put together by Northeast CERT steering committee member Wendy Grethen highlights nine businesses and organizations in the Duluth area that are taking steps to move toward a clean energy future. Watch it online now, and spread the word!.
Northwest Region
Crookston’s Students for Sustainable Development tour Morris’ Sustainable Campus Projects This month the University of Minnesota: Crookston’s Students for Sustainable Development toured the University of Minnesota: Morris’ Biomass facility and Wind Turbine on campus. The tour was led by MCSA Vice-Chancellor Lowell Rasmussen and Troy Goodnough who explained the sustainable projects on campus and provided an in-depth overview of the Morris recycling program. The trip was successful in leaving the Crookston’s Students for Sustainable Development doubtless about their ability to be responsible to the environment and the earth as a campus and the ability to leave clean energy confidence for future generations.
Southeast Region
Passive House Construction Method Gains Momentum in the US: The home construction method, Passive House has been widely adopted in Europe, and is slowly gaining support in the United States. On November 15th this expanding method was the subject of a meeting at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center near Lanesboro. The speaker, Tim Eian, is a German architect who promoted the method that strives to build a structure which requires minimal use of heating and cooling. Passive House advocates emphasize construction methods requiring minimal energy use rather than the use of renewable energy after construction. Passive Housing also features triple-paned glass windows, insulated window frames, glazed windows, overhanging roof, passive ventilation system and a heat recovery system. Most Passive House buildings result in a 75 percent reduction in the use of energy, in comparison with other types of buildings. In Passive House buildings in Germany no furnace is required. Joe Deden, director of the Eagle Bluff center, is interested in forming a team to study the feasibility of retrofitting the director’s residence to function as a Passive House. For more information regarding the Passive House method, or if you are interested in working with Joe Deden’s feasibility team, visit the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center website.
Southwest Region
A Greener MnDot: In an effort to be more environmentally friendly the Minnesota Department of Transportation has proposed several wind turbine pilot projects throughout the South West region of Minnesota. The proposal of a 35-killowatt wind turbine to assist in powering the stations in Lincoln county and the Slayton area have been fashioned in response to a mandate by the governor to use renewable energy. Wilmar MnDOT physical plant manager Kenneth Schmidtz feels they are in a good location to use wind energy, and the senior management in St. Paul agreed to assist with funding. Though the return investment may be small, county highway engineer Lee Amundson says “It’s monetarily and also environmentally beneficial. I think it’s going to be a close one as far as being a break-even on the dollars. If you can generate some electricity and have a little less pollution, that is going to be the benefit.” The project could be completed as early as next summer. Further details on the proposals can be found at the Marshall Independent.
Energy Education Seminar: On November 17th the Marshall Municipal Utilities and Marshall Community Services hosted a free Energy Efficiency Education Seminar. Information presnted included rebates and programs from Marshall Utilities and Great Plains Natural Gas customers. Western Community Action also spoke about energy assistance programs.
Xcel Uses Gigantic Batteries to Store Wind Energy In Southwest Minnesota: Near the town of Beaver Creek, where the wind is blowing most days, but not all, Xcel will be testing the use of bus-sized batteries to store wind energy. Electricity storage will become increasingly important in the years to come says Xcel Energy’s Frank Novachek. Xcel will be increasing the number of wind turbines in their system and on days when too much energy is produced they expect the batteries to store the unused energy generated and release power during times of the day when electricity demand peaks. The state’s first utility-sized electricity storage facility is nearly the size of a double-decker bus and contains about 20 battery packs, the unit is expected to be fully on line next spring. For more information about the system and additional energy storage techniques, check out this story from MPR. Learn more about the software used in the project in this article from Colorado Energy News.
West Central Region
Corn cobs as renewable energy source in Willmar: By 2025, under the state mandate, all utilities must have at least 25 percent of energy needs generated by renewable sources. In response, the city of Wilmar hopes to comply with a wind turbine and the use of corn cob biofuels. Wilmar’s Municipal Utility will conduct a test burn of corn cobs and coal this February. The corn cobs will be added to coal to generate electricity. Corn cobs are beneficial as biomass because they are abundant, rarely used by farmers, decompose leaving little residue and have low sulfur and ash content. If the test burn proves successful, corn cobs will help the utility comply with the state’s renewable energy mandate as well as help boost local farm income. The test will also provide data to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency which will determine whether or not a permit will be issued to allow Wilmar to permanently burn cobs and coal. For further details, click here to read the article.
Link of the Month
Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon
www.SchoolsCuttingCarbon.org
OK, we’ve told you about this one before, but the December 15th deadline is drawing near and we really want to make sure that public high schools, colleges and universities across the state take advantage of the grants and technical resources they are guaranteed to receive as well as the grants they can apply for later.
Highlights include:
- There will be $50,000 in “mini-grants” – $500 for each student group to help them implement their carbon-cutting project(s).
- There will be ten (and potentially twelve) $20,000 competitive grants for schools with the most creative and effective projects to reduce energy use.
- There will be $375,000 of technical assistance available across the state for the participating schools to reduce their energy usage.
- There will be a website that links and tracks all participating schools. It will provide a platform for students and teachers to share resources and ideas, raise additional funds, and calculate their carbon savings.
Action Alert
CERTs Clean + Green Film Festival
Submit a digital short for a chance to win
fabulous cash and clean energy prizes!
Make a 30 second to 3 minute video on your clean energy project, and enter it to win! We will have a two-week public voting period in January, and finalists will be screened at the 2009 CERTs Conference Reception on the evening of February 10th!
Videos must be received by Jan. 9th. Click here to get the camera rolling!
Clean Energy Resource Teams