March - Kevin Lawless

Creating Green, Equitable Car-sharing Services in the Twin Cities

Hourcar has embarked on a journey to build an all-electric carsharing service in the Twin Cities.  Currently this effort encompasses two programs: Evie a one-way car sharing option and a Multi-Family housing program. Both programs specifically target low income and BIPOC consumers in neighborhoods where EV ownership is typically non-existent. This talk will focus on describing how these programs have evolved, lessons learned, and future Hourcar plans.

Board Chair

February - Rose Patzer and Logan Schrader

Powering Minnesota’s Workforce: Engagement Strategies for Building Energy Careers

The Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence is working in collaboration with industry and education partners to develop strategies to address energy workforce needs. We will cover a brief overview of our position within the Minnesota State System, the innovations, and collaborations we have developed this year and our vision for the future of Minnesota’s energy workforce guided by our industry partners. 

Executive Director

Communications Coordinator

January - Jake Reint

Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend Refinery – Powering Everyday Products Responsibly with Solar

Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery is one of America’s most energy efficient fuel producers and is committed to maintaining and enhancing its state-of-the-art facility. Since 2015, Flint Hills Resources has invested $500 million in technology and efficiency improvements to help the refinery lower emissions while producing more of the fuel and other products people need and use every day. These investments contributed to the Pine Bend refinery being ENERGY STAR® certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency three years in a row. 

 Recently Flint Hills Resources announced the construction of what is believed to be the largest solar installation in the country that is designed to directly power a single facility or business. The 45-megawatt, $75 million solar development will include at least 120,000 solar panels and provide direct power to the Pine Bend refinery. The solar development will be located on about 350 acres of the company’s property immediately adjacent to the refinery complex.

The use of solar power will improve the refinery’s energy efficiency, which is already among the best in the nation, and will help reduce emissions. The project will also lower energy costs helping make the refinery more competitive. Forty-five megawatts is enough electricity to power more than 8,400 homes per year, or roughly 30% of the refinery’s power needs during optimal conditions.

Vice President of Public Affairs

November - Alan Wernke

Top 10 Electric vehicle questions after driving an Electric Vehicle for 10 years

This presentation will answer these common questions and more: What is an EV? How to do you charge it? How far does it go? Why do you drive an EV? Do EVs work in the MN winter? How much does cost to buy and drive? How many EVs do we have in MN, in the USA and the world? Have you run out of charge? How long do the batteries last? How do I charge if I live in a condo/apartment? Bring your questions and join us as we cover all them.

Electric Vehicle Consultant

October - Bobby King

Going Solar through a Solar United Neighbor's Solar Co-op

Have you wanted to go solar on your home, farm or small business but weren't sure where to start? Would you like to get the best price on solar by joining with neighbors to leverage your group buying? Joining a solar co-op may be for you. With a solar co-op, you get support throughout the process from Solar United Neighbors and become a part of the solar movement. With the recently passed solar incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act 2023, now is an ideal time to go solar.

Bobby King will share SUN’s solar co-op model and how it can work for you. SUN has completed over 350 solar co-ops around the country, helping over 7,400 people go solar at their home, farm or small business. Topics to be covered include:

• The basics of solar technology

• How a solar co-op works to save you money and connect you with a vetted solar installer

• Solar incentives available to you, including incentives available to low-income homeowners that can cover a substantial part of the cost of going solar 

SUN has 2 solar co-ops open now – the Duluth and Arrowhead Solar Co-op and the Twin Cities Area Solar Co-op with more to open this Fall and Winter. Learn more about Solar Co-ops.

Minnesota State Director

September - Dan Ludwig

Carbon Free Hydrogen From Nuclear Power: Prairie Island Hydrogen Pilot Project

Xcel Energy has announced visions to have carbon free electricity generation and a net zero natural gas system by 2050. Hydrogen has increasingly emerged as one promising pathway to help realize these long term visions. Xcel Energy is exploring various hydrogen related activities, including securing a Department of Energy award to complete a pilot project that generates carbon free hydrogen by using power from a nuclear plant. This demonstration project will generate hydrogen using a process called High Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE) which is about 30% more efficient than other electrolysis methods, while still emitting no carbon in the process (in contrast to the typical process used for generating hydrogen which is carbon emission intensive). While only at demonstration scale, this world leading project is the first step towards understanding the design, licensing, and permitting necessary to generate hydrogen at a nuclear plant and will help lay the ground work for potential future large scale deployments of hydrogen generation systems coupled to nuclear power plants. Dan Ludwig, Senior Engineer at the Nuclear Innovation Group at Xcel Energy delivered this presentation to MRES on September 15th.

Senior Engineer at the Nuclear Innovation Group

August - Nina Axelson

Accelerating Energy Technology and Innovation in Minnesota

Grid Catalyst is the first energy accelerator focused on cold climate solutions and demonstrating emerging technology. The program was launched in 2021 and the first cohort was announced in March 2022. The five startup businesses in the cohort are demonstrating innovative solutions with partners across the state of Minnesota, including large-scale geothermal, grid-forming inverters, glazing window shields, vanadium flow batteries, and a mobile app that promotes climate stewardship. Nina Axelson, program founder, presented to MRES on August 18 on the role of accelerators in the development and deployment of clean energy, the opportunities to bolster the energy innovation ecosystem in Minnesota, and how this work fits in with the investments and priorities at the federal level.

Founder

July - Matt Doll

The Heights: A Carbon Free Community in Saint Paul

Climate action is moving forward on Saint Paul’s East Side. On the former site of a 110-acre golf course, the City of St. Paul and the St. Paul Port Authority are working to create one of the world’s first net-zero communities. Utilizing solar energy, smart water management, climate-friendly materials, and forward-thinking urban design, the Heights development has the potential to show the world how sustainable building is done. On July 21st, environmentalist and Heights neighbor Matt Doll shared the story of how this plan has come together, and how his community hopes to see it come to fruition.

Operations Coordinator

June - Tom Guttormson

Solar + Storage: From Concept To Implementation and Operation

Connexus Energy, a large distribution cooperative in Minnesota, has deployed a grid scale solar + storage system, commissioned in 2018. The deployment includes two sites with a portfolio of 10 MW of solar coupled with 15 MW of storage, all interconnected with 12.5 kV distribution feeders. Tom Guttormson, Principal Technology Engineer, walked us through the life cycle of the project from planning through operation in our June Speaker Series. Key points include an overview of their business objectives, operational strategy, and operations experience. Technical considerations to avoid "breaking the grid" were shared for operating within contractual and operational constraints.

Principal Technology Engineer

April - Will Heegaard

Deploying Solar Generators to Disasters - Challenges and Opportunities

Our April Speaker Series covered Footprint Project's past and future delivering mobile solar to power disaster relief and recovery operations. Operations Director Will Heegaard discussed how Footprint Project got started, its current operations in Louisiana, Kentucky and Ukraine, and where the organization is headed. Will shared some of the hurdles and highlights of starting, growing and leading a clean energy, disaster resilience non-profit organization.

Operations Director

March - Patrick Hamilton

The Potential Multiple Benefits of Solar

Solar energy offers the potential to demonstrate a more cohesive approach to the state’s escalating water quality, biodiversity, and climate change challenges. Solar arrays are likely to crop up on hundreds of thousands of Minnesota’s rural acres in coming years. The more deliberate placement of solar on Minnesota’s croplands with pollinator-friendly perennials could yield significant water quality, wildlife, and climate adaptation benefits. Solar energy won’t resolve all of the issues that we face. But thoughtfully sited, it could demonstrate that perhaps how we realize even more shared economic and environmental benefits is to create more opportunities to serve the needs of multiple constituents.

Director of Climate Change, Energy and the Environment

February - Peter Teiglan

The State of Solar Policy in 2022

Minnesota’s solar policy landscape has shaped the success of a fast-growing and successful industry over the last decade. On Feb 17th, MnSEIA's Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Peter Teigland, showcased some of the key policies that have shaped that success, and highlighted some of the legislative and regulatory initiatives important to the industry in 2022.

Director of Policy & Regulatory Affairs

January - Callie Walsh

Xcel Energy Renewable Choice Programs and Solar*Rewards for Schools

Xcel Energy is committed to a carbon-free future, and is passionate about protecting the environment, embracing clean energy technology and standing with our communities. In addition to the renewable energy that is already included within our energy mix, our customers have renewable choices to do more if they choose. MRES' January speaker Callie Walsh speaks to Xcel Energy’s goals at large, the current renewable program offerings, and the newest program, Solar*Rewards for Schools.

Program Manager for Minnesota Solar*Rewards

October - Brook Bear and Jacob Bunzel

Solar Vehicle Project: Fueled by the Sun, Powered by the Mind

The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project is a student group of over 100 undergraduate students who design, manage, build, and race solar-electric cars. They have built 14 cars since their start in 1990. The organization seeks to educate students through project-based experience, as well as to get the public more interested in solar power. U of M Students Brook Bear & Jacob Bunzel joined us on October 21st to talk about what goes on behind the scenes of this exciting project!

Solar Vehicle Project

September - Bill Moyer

Railroads, Decarbonization and the Public Good

On September 16th, Bill Moyer joined us to discuss his book, the Solutionary Rail, and the book's approach to putting railroads and railroad rights of way at the gravitational center of decarbonization. Moyer explored some of the challenges of getting the kind of infrastructure that truly serves the public interest, community wellbeing, and social and environmental justice. He spoke about the necessity that public investments in transportation be accountable to the external costs they have on society, and what may help us reduce harms and increase benefits.

E.D.

Author of Solutionary Rail

August - Dan Juhl

MidGrid SolarWind/Storage Hybrid

Most energy experts agree that distributed generation will play a major role in the implementation of renewable energy in the US electrical market in the years to come. Dan Juhl spoke with us on August 19th about his MidGrid SolarWind/Storage Hybrid package design that can economically blend clean, renewable energy into the grid at lower cost and efficient land use.

Founder

July - Greg Ridderbusch and Rob Davis

Solar and Innovation for Enhanced Community Benefits

MRES hears how Connexus Energy is innovating to benefit its customers with solar, battery storage, advanced metering data, electric vehicle options and more. CEO Greg Ridderbusch talks about some of the company's efforts to put new green innovations to work for its members and Rob Davis discusses the numerous benefits of combining solar with pollinator habitats and the work being done in this area.

CEO

Communications lead

June - Dave Crawford

Lexington Parkway Passive House

Dave Crawford describes the design and building of a net-zero passive house in St. Paul, MN. He talks about the passive energy conservation and other features of the house, and describes aspects of the project including construction, working with his designer and contractor, supply chain experiences and more.

Volunteer Naturalist

MN State Parks in St. Croix River Valley

may - gabe chan

Equitable Community Solar

Gabe Chan of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota discusses numerous aspects of Community Solar in Minnesota and elsewhere. These include the features and benefits of Community Solar, how much solar is developed as Community Solar projects, and how equity and climate justice, and environmental and economic benefits can be achieved in a Community Solar framework.

Associate Professor

March - Jonee Brigham

Energy Stories: Performance and Paradigms

Our energy transition involves both technical as well as cultural changes. Our March speaker, Jonee Kulman Brigham, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Minnesota Design Center and owner of Full Spring Studio, LLC shares stories of projects that address both these dimensions, including her observations of shifts over the last several decades. From dashboards to guidelines, to games, to energy simulation, to art and story, Brigham discusses projects and resources including her current work both in and out of the University of Minnesota, with a focus on the MN GreenStep Schools Program and how it can improve the energy performance of school facilities while inspiring the next generation of energy leaders and energy-smart citizens.

senior research fellow

February - Bobby King

Expanding rooftop Solar in Minnesota

Bobby King is the Minnesota state director of Solar United Neighbors (SUN). Solar United Neighbors is working to advance rooftop solar as a key element of the renewable and more democratic energy system we need to address climate change and energy justice. Learn about how SUN brings people together to go solar as a group in "solar co-ops" to save money, support each other through the process and grow the solar movement. SUN works to advance state policy that makes more solar possible in our state including legislation to give HOA homeowners the right to go solar.

Minnesota DIRECTOR

January - Gregg Mast

A briefing on Minnesota energy markets and policy

Gregg Mast, Executive Director of Clean Energy Economy MN, speaks to MRES about the US and Minnesota energy markets and the increasing amount of solar and wind generation in our energy mix, thanks to decreasing costs and other factors. He also discusses how jobs, state energy policy, and climate all point to the benefits of increasing renewable energy across Minnesota.

executive director

2020

November - Steve Tuckner, Joe Bowman and Ryan Stegora

In search of affordable net zero

Steve Tuckner, contractor Joe Bowman and energy consultant Ryan Stegora talk about their project building an affordable energy-efficient home with state-of-the-art features in Minnesota, completed in 2019.

Owner

General Contractor

Contractor

october - dale howey

Green rock apartments - Dedicated to environmental stewardship for our buildings and tenants

Explore Dale's journey in property management and how he has leveraged his business to create positive environmental change. Dale will go over how he has been able to integrate renewable energy and other sustainable practices in property management including water sequestration, transportation, building structure, equipment efficiencies, waste reduction, and food production. Dale hopes to inspire you to do the same.

owner

september - Kristel Porter

Building Equity through Renewable Energy

Kristel Porter of Minnesota Renewable Now! talks to MRES about the PowerNorth program and its success connecting people with renewable energy, building strong community relationships and improving economic conditions in North Minneapolis.

executive director

August - Luther Krueger

Solar Cooker Use in The Variety Weather Belt

Luther will sample several unique solar cookers collected over the years, with a brief history and review of each. He will discuss the benefits of solar cooking in the United States, where it's a luxury, and present the need in developing nations for solar cooking as a means to reduce deforestation, health problems caused by indoor cooking fires, and eliminating water-borne diseases. Finally, he will discuss how individuals can adopt solar cooking and spread the word about its importance in local and world environmental causes.

director

July - ann hunt

minnesota leading by example

Anne Hunt is a recognized leader in public policy, organizational leadership, innovative program design and implementation, fiscal management, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and coalition building. As the Director of the Office of Enterprise Sustainability, she shares how the State of Minnesota is leading by example and working to advance renewable energy.

director

April - robert blake

tribal energy sovereignty

Robert Blake, founder and CEO of Solar Bear spoke to MRES about how solar energy provides a way for native communities to not only generate electricity but create jobs, educate youth and build a stronger community. Robert is a full-blooded enrolled tribal citizen of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe Indians. His passion is spreading the word of renewable energy through communication, cooperation, and collaboration.

Founder and CEO

April - jan hubbard

What’s Happening with Solar in Minnesota

The presentation will provide an overview of the programs and policies of the City of Minneapolis Division of Sustainability covering the topics from the recently passed residential energy disclosure policy, a food action climate plan, Carbon Emissions and Clean Energy , Environmental Justice and how every person living, working or visiting Minneapolis can help create a more sustainable city.   

Principle

Natural Energy Solutions

March - Kim Havey

Climate Action in Minneapolis

An overview of programs, policies and how you can make a difference!

The presentation will provide an overview of the programs and policies of the City of Minneapolis Division of Sustainability covering the topics from the recently passed residential energy disclosure policy, a food action climate plan, Carbon Emissions and Clean Energy , Environmental Justice and how every person living, working or visiting Minneapolis can help create a more sustainable city.   

Director

City Coordinator’s Division of Sustainability

January - Greg mowry

ENERGY, THE UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS, AND THE WORLD

Civilization depends on energy yet the very energy systems that make modern civilization possible are also hurting the planet. Hence sustainable energy is essential for modern civilization. This presentation explored engineering at the University of St Thomas (UST), some of the energy outreach, and what is being done at UST to help secure a sustainable energy future.

Engineering Professor

November - Ellen Anderson

Director

Energy Storage & the Clean Energy Transition

Ellen Anderson discussed the important role of energy storage in our transition to a clean energy economy, how the role of energy storage is evolving, and the barriers and opportunities it faces.  She gave an update on energy storage projects in Minnesota, and what's next in our energy transition.

July- Jamez Staples

The Green Economy as an Economic Development Tool

Minnesota has some of the largest racial disparity gaps in the country in terms of education, economic participation, income, employment, homeownership, and others; The green economy presents a unique opportunity to address climate change and poverty, and reduce these plaguing disparities, all at the same time.

By way of personal and professional experience, Jamez Staples has been working to create an equitable future for people of color while mitigating climate change. His lively talk will highlight Renewable Energy Partners and what they have been actively doing to create positive changes. 

President