Phase I of Minnesota Dispersed Renewable Generation study available

Windustry — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:24:46 -0500

The passage of the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 by the Minnesota State Legislature and Tim Pawlenty requires a study of the potential for dispersed renewable generation statewide. The study consists of two parts, Phase I and Phase II, which focus on installing a total of 1200MW of new dispersed renewable energy projects with a minimal impact on the transmission grid. As determined by the legislation, project sizes under consideration are limited to between 10 and 40MW. For the study the state is split into six regions while focusing on the five out-state regions - the NW, NE, W-C, SW and SE - for potential for dispersed generation The Minnesota utilities affected by the 25x25' (25% by 2025) renewable energy standard are performing the analytical work with oversight by the projects Technical Review Committee (TRC).

On June, 16th 2008 the results of Phase I of the study were released. The first phase of the study, the appendices, and the presentation slides for the study's release can be found at the Minnesota Department of Commerce page.

Xcel Energy RFP for C-BED projects now available

Marin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:12:30 -0500

On June 17, Xcel Energy (through Northern States Power) released their 2008 request for proposal (RFP) for Community Based Energy Development (C-BED) projects.

Here's what it says on the Xcel Energy website: "As a part of Xcel Energy’s Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) program, Xcel Energy is soliciting proposals for Community Based Wind Projects. In 2005, the Minnesota Legislature directed that each utility establish a tariff for the purchase of C-BED wind energy. The purpose of the tariff is to encourage and promote broader local participation in wind energy development.

Beginning June 17, 2008, Xcel Energy will be accepting proposals for new Minnesota wind generation resources to be in commercial operation by Dec. 31, 2009. Xcel Energy will seek approvals for any resulting Renewable Energy Purchase Agreements from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The submission deadline is July 11, 2008."

Click here to go to the Xcel Energy website and download a complete copy of the 2008 RFP.

"Renewable Energy Payments in the US" from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute

christina — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:56:45 -0500

Europe has a very successful feed-in tariff program for renewable energy. Under this type of program priority of interconnection to the grid is given to energy produced from renewable sources, premium rates are paid to generate a reasonable profit for investors of a renewable energy project and standardized 20-year term contracts. Germany is the leading country in this type of payment program and has dramatically increased its renewable energy production so much that it had met its 2010 renewable energy goal by 2007. Germany is now the world’s largest market for photovoltaic and wind energy.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute had a conference on this type of payment program as a likely candidate to increase the renewable energy production in the United States. The presentations and audio of the conference are available here, including a comprehensive paper detailing the European system and the various legislative proposals by the states as well as a Federal tariff proposal, available here.

USDA Farm Bill

christina — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:08:11 -0500

2008 USDA Farm Bill

On May 22, 2008, Congress overrode the President's veto of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the "Farm Bill"). The Farm Bill is an investment in our nation's food and farm economy. It will ensure food security and promote healthier foods and local food networks, strengthen international food aid and reform commodity and farm programs, protect our natural resources and promote homegrown renewable energy.

The Farm Bill has historically addressed not only farm regulations, but also food security and protection of environmental resources. As our country seeks to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, our ranchers and farmers will continue to be vital players in the development and growth of renewable energy resources. Biofuels, wind energy, solar power and ethanol production are all addressed in the new Farm Bill 2008.

There are a total of 14 titles in the Farm Bill ranging from commodity programs to research to energy to insurance to nutrition. Renewable energy, specifically wind generated energy, is mainly addressed by 4 titles: Conservation, Rural Development, Research, and Energy.

Similar to the previous Value-Added Produce Grants and 9006 Programs, the 2008 Farm Bill will offer both grants and guaranteed loans for eligible projects. The procedures for applying under the new Act have not been announced yet, but both the rules and allocations are expected to be the same as they were previously so the application process is not likely to change. The USDA Farm Bill website has some useful samples and guidance documents for applications.

As a result of the delay in passing the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress has
extended many of the programs from the 2002 Farm Bill including the
Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program. On March 6, 2008 the USDA annouced the availability of funding for these programs under Section 9006. The deadline for applications is June 16, 2008. The 9006 Forms for applications can be found here.

For the most up-to-date application information, contact your state Rural Energy Coordinator. Check back here for updates as they are announced and stay tuned to the USDA site for more information. Also, please see the attached "Farm Bill FAQ" .pdf file below.

Useful Resources for 2002 Farm Bill

Value-Added Producer Grant Program

Section 9006 Energy Title Grant Program:

"An American Success Story" (ELPC)

USDA Websites:

Farm Bill Section 9006

Value-Added Producer Grants

Previous Section 9006 Award Winners

2008 Award Winners and USDA 2008 Press Release

2007 Award Winners and USDA 2007 Press Release

2006 Award Winners and USDA 2006 Press Release

2005 Award Winners and USDA 2005 Press Release

2004 Award Winners and USDA 2004 Press Release

2003 Award Winners and USDA 2003 Press Release

Opportunity to Invest in Minnesota Wind Power

David — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:31:56 -0500

We hear regularly from people who would like to support community wind energy development but who don't own windy land. Urban dwellers who wish they could do more to promote wind energy and who want to see wind energy development done in a way that benefits local economies will be interested in this article containing information about an intrastate public offering to Minnesota residents interested in investing in wind energy projects in Dodge, Olmsted and Mower counties.

Please heed the standard investment cautions contained in the press release referred to in "more information" and note that Windustry is not in the business of giving financial advice. Any investment decisions made are solely the responsibility of the investor.

Community Wind Energy 2008 Conference Proceedings Now Available

Marin — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:29:30 -0500

Windustry’s Community Wind Energy 2008 was a national conference bringing economic development, agriculture and wind energy together to advance opportunities for locally-owned clean energy production. Over 400 attendees from 36 states, 4 provinces and 5 countries shared experiences and information to harness the growing momentum for new models, new policies and new projects.

The conference featured dynamic plenary sessions and eighteen exciting and informative breakout sessions covering both Community Wind and Residential and Small Scale Wind.

Presentations topics included everything from policy to new markets to the basic how-to of putting up a wind turbine.

On the proceedings disc, you’ll find more than 28 hours of MP3 audio recordings of the sessions and speakers, including question and answer sessions. You’ll also find PDF copies of presenters’ slides.

If you were a registered participant in the conference, a copy has been mailed to you. If you were unable to attend the event, you may still purchase a copy.

Click here to download a copy of the proceedings order form.

Click here to see the conference program.

Questions? Contact Marin Byrne at 612-870-3469.

Pipestone blade factory featured in the Star Tribune

Windustry — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:05:35 -0500

The Minneapolis Star Tribune ran an article today about the Suzlon blade manufacturing facility in Pipestone, MN. The whole wind energy industry in the U.S. has been feeling the stress that comes with rapid growth, and the article has a nice discussion of how these growth pressures are impacting this particular facility.

You can read the article on the Star Tribune website at http://www.startribune.com/business/19418074.html?page=1&c=y

--Marin

Windustry in the news

Windustry — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:19:32 -0500

It must be the time of year to think about wind leases, because they've been coming up in the media a lot lately. Last Friday a piece was published in the Worthington (MN) Daily Globe about landowners who have been approached in SW Minnesota by a wind development company.

The article does a good job of conveying that while leasing your land to a developer can be a great economic opportunity, you have to go in with your eyes open and be vigilant about understanding a contract before you sign it.

The article also just happens to quote Windustry board member David Benson!

You can read it online here (free registration required): http://www.dglobe.com/articles/index.cfm?id=11437