Clean Energy Resource Teams

Our Mission

West Central CERT wants to fundamentally change the way energy is produced and consumed in its region’s communities and across the state. Its overarching vision is to use local resources to make both the region and the state energy self-sufficient. Much of the team’s efforts have focused on how to provide better education to the general public on each of their project priorities. This approach has led the team to develop projects that focus on demonstration, applied research and educational initiatives within each focal area.

“CERTs is a tool for all of our communities to actually start implementing renewable systems and discussion.”
Michael Reese, Renewable Energy Coordinator,
UofM West Central Outreach Center

The West Central region includes Traverse, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, Pope, Stearns, Big Stone, Swift, Kandiyohi, Meeker, La Qui Parle, Chippewa, Yellow Medicine, Renville, McLeod, Sibley, and Nicollet Counties.

Get Involved!

Join Us! Attend a meeting or keep up to date.
Contacts, Events, Get Involved, or Ask an Expert.

Meeting Notes

• June 27, 2008 (presentations)
• April 29, 2008 (presentations)
• October 29, 2007
• September 27, 2006
• September 14, 2006
• June 15, 2006

Case Studies

Past projects in the West Central Region

Presentations

Regional Presentations

Project Focus

WC CERT is working primarily to implement projects in wind and biomass coordination linked to education; education on hydrogen, geothermal and solar technologies; conservation coordination and demonstration; and biogas coordination of pilot projects coupled with education.

Current Projects

• Pope SWCD: Harvest and Testing of Woody Biomass for Energy from Hybrid Poplar Variety Trial Plantings on the Rosholt Research Farm
• Youth Energy Summit Team: Willmar Community Greenhouse
• Prairie Woods ELC: Solar Thermal and Solar Electric Installations
• Greater Milan Initiative: Milan School Project Energy Planning
• Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producer’s Co-op: Commercialization Plan Surrounding Large Biomass Research Project
• See full list for all regions >>

Publications

Strategic Energy Plan: Each regional team spent considerable time mapping regional energy use and identifying clean energy opportunities in its Regional Strategic Energy Plan. Read all the details on the Regional Plans page.

WC Wind Resource Maps:
Big Stone County
Chippewa County
Douglas County
Grant County
Kandiyohi County
Lac Qui Parle County
McLeod County
Meeker County
Nicollet County
Pope County
Renville County
Sibley County
Stearns County
Stevens County
Swift County
Yellow Medicine County

Other Publications:
Big Stone Wind Business Plan
WC CERT Project Flow Diagram
WC CERT Organizational Chart