Clean Energy Resource Teams

 
These presentations were given as part of the April 21, 2010 Northwest Clean Energy Resource Team meeting on Smart Grid Technology in Northwest Minnesota. Together these presentations offer an introduction to smart grid technology general, and highlight its use in NW MN.

 
Smart Meter Basics and Benefits by Darryl Tveitbakk, Northern Municipal Power Agency

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Smart Grid Technology Use at East Grand Forks Water and Light by Corey Thompson, Electronic and Information Systems Manager and Bonnie Abel, Customer and Energy Services Manager

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Smart Grid & Beyond by Joe Jacobson, Eusco

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On April 26, 2010 Southwest CERT and Southwest Regional Development Commission held a workshop in Redwood Falls on wind energy development and land use to educate anyone interested in the issues and provide a forum for discussion and learning.

Introduction & Overview: Annette Bair, Physical Development Director for SRDC and Southwest CERT Coordinator, gave an introduction and overview to wind energy development and land use. Annette set the stage for the meeting by providing: a brief overview of wind in general; who regulates wind; installed capacities in MN from 1999 to 2009; project scale; wind resource maps and locations of state and local permitted turbines in MN, the generator interconnection queue map, and the transmission line map; indicators of project development in your area; and a list of useful resources. Flip through the presentation below.

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State Permitting Process: Larry Hartman & Ingrid Bjorklund, Energy Facility Planners for the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security, reviewed the Minnesota State permitting process for Large Wind Energy Conversion Systems (LWECS). Flip through the presentation below.

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Zoning Panel: The presentations were followed by a local panel of zoning administrators who discussed issues they’ve dealt with regarding wind energy systems. The panelists included Jon Biren, Lyon County Zoning Administrator; Mandy Landkamer, Nicollet County Zoning Administrator; and Jean M. Christoffels, Murray County Zoning Administrator. Click here for the full meeting notes to read more about the panel discussion and Q&A session.

 
More and more of you have been visiting the CERTs site on your mobile phones, and we now have content just for you! You can take CERTs with you on the go with our mobile content.

Take out your phone and save m.mncerts.org into your mobile browser’s bookmarks!

Best Mobile Content:
Get Answers Blog
Case Studies
Press & Media Updates
Learn, Connect or Act
Contacts

Mobile Social Media:
Videos
Pictures
Twitter
Facebook

Let us know about your experience and how we can make CERTs mobile better. Email Dan Thiede at webmaster@cleanenergyresourceteams.org with any feedback.

Thanks to MoFuse.com for providing mobile content for the CERTs blog, press and case studies.

 
February 2-3, 2011
Saint Cloud Civic Center
10 4th Avenue South, Saint Cloud, MN 56301

Join CERTs and hundreds of other Minnesotans for our fourth biennial conference! CERTs connects you and your community members with resources to identify and implement energy efficiency & renewable energy projects. The conference website will continue to grow as the event approaches at 2011.MNCERTs.org.

CERTs 2011 will be a great place for your organization to be seen!
CERTs 2011 sponsor and exhibitor info will be available soon! We anticipate that our rates will be similar to last year, so download the 2009 Sponsor & Exhibitor Packet so that you can plan CERTs 2011 into your budget now. Sign up to stay in the loop at Updates.MNCERTs.org.

Nominate a CERTs 2011 Planning Committee Member Today!
CERTs is working to put together a Planning Committee for next year’s conference, and we need your help. Tell us about an energy geek or sparkplug in your community who would be an outstanding addition to our team! And don’t be afraid to nominate yourself! Email the person’s name, title, organization, email and phone, along with why you think they would make a great Planning Committee member to Maggie Kozak at makozak@umn.edu.

• What makes a good Planning Committee member?
  • Expertise or interest in energy efficiency, renewable energy, or community development
  • Can attend eight conference calls from May to December and work a little in between
  • Connected to the community in a significant way
  • Enthusiastic about working collaboratively as part of a group
  • Interest and experience planning events
  • Understands CERTs’ audience
  • Plans to attend CERTs 2011 on February 2-3, 2011
• What will the Planning Committee members do?
  • Help set goals and key themes for CERTs 2011
  • Identify and recruit event sponsors and exhibitors
  • Outline overall agenda sessions, keynote speakers, and more
  • Plan individual sessions in their area of expertise or interest
  • Spread the word about the conference in their circles of influence
  • Attend CERTs 2011 and enjoy the fruits of their labor!
  • Get recognized for your leadership by people across the state!

Learn more about the CERTs 2011 and past events at 2011.MNCERTs.org.

 
A recent forum, Energy Conservation in Minnesota: Meeting the Challenge, was hosted by the Minnesota Environmental Initiative (MEI).

The event featured presenters who overviewed the history of Conservation Improvement Programs (CIPs) and energy conservation in Minnesota, described how Minnesota’s efforts compare to other states’, and explained what is included in the current Minnesota savings goal.

The program concluded with a panel of experts who discussed the challenges of meeting the 1.5% energy savings mandate, and their perspectives regarding the future of energy conservation in the state.

Forum presentations (click to download):

• Bill Grant – Izaak Walton League of America
• Jeff Haase – Office of Energy Security, Minnesota Department of Commerce
• Dan York – American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

 
Global Warming Solutions Coordinator, Fresh Energy: Work with Fresh Energy’s innovative and aggressive Global Warming Solutions program. The program aims to advance global warming policy solutions by promoting smart state and national legislation to reduce global warming pollution, catalyzing innovative approaches to business and local government, and making the case to businesses, government, and citizens that global warming must be confronted now. The Coordinator will work with the Science Policy Director on specific outreach and analytical projects, and will have writing and public outreach responsibilities. The position includes extensive contact with collaborators and community members. Some travel and attending occasional weekend and evening meetings may be required.
Applications accepted until position is filled   |   Click to learn more and apply >>

Energy and Sustainability Coordinator, Ramsey County: This is a one-year position that is funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) provided to Ramsey County by the Federal Government out of ARRA funds. It is possible that this position could continue beyond one year. The person in this position will work with Public Health and Property Management staff to help plan, organize, guide and coordinate the County’s efforts to create an internal County energy/sustainability plan, with an aim to implement sustainable and energy-related practices within the organization, including addressing current methods and practices that could be made more sustainable, researching new and emerging technology and sustainability practices, educating the organization regarding sustainable practices and developing and implementing sustainability goals and strategies. This is professional and administrative work to identify, develop, implement and coordinate innovative and effective programs to improve sustainability and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from County operations, and related duties as assigned.
Applications accepted until Friday, December 4th, 11:59pm   |   Click to learn more and apply >>

 
Hello CERT members and friends! Please check out our October 2009 Monthly Update for clean energy news and announcements from across Minnesota! Included in this update:

• Regional Highlights & Activities
• Link of the Month
• Action Alert
• Upcoming Events

 
NOVEMBER 9th, SLAYTON, MN — The Southwest and West Central Clean Energy Resource Teams seek temporary appointment of Southwest and West Central CERT Regional Coordinator(s).

The Coordinator will be instrumental in working with various organizations and individuals to move community-scale projects forward within the region by connecting people with the technical resources they need to identify and implement local energy efficiency and clean energy projects.

Position will be paid by contract with CERTs $16.00 – $20.00 an hour for either a 40-hour/week appt or two 20 hours/ week appointments from December 2009 – June 2010 (no benefits) and with the potential for renewal through June 2011. Southwest and West Central CERT Coordinator(s) will be supervised by and report to the CERT Coordinator for the UM Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. Position may office out of a home office or may be provided space with one or more of the Project Partners.

BA or BS, technical background in energy research and data analysis desired but not required. Travel is required to perform the responsibilities of this position, personal vehicle is required, reimbursement of travel will be made according to State policies.

Position general responsibilities, qualifications and additional information can be accessed at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org. Send resume to Annette Bair, Southwest Regional Development Commission and Southwest CERT coordinator by 11/20/09 4:30 pm at either phydev@swrdc.org or 2401 Broadway Ave, Slayton, MN 56172. Position to be filled by January 2010.

Download release & position description (Word) >>
Download release & position description (PDF) >>

Contact:
Annette Bair
SW Clean Energy Resource Team Coordinator
Physical Development Director
Southwest Regional Development Commission
2401 Broadway Ave
Slayton, MN 56172
Email: phydev@swrdc.org
Phone: 507.836.1631
Fax: 507.836.8866

 
SEPTEMBER 8th, SAINT PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) seek to provide limited financial assistance for energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects requiring technical assistance.

Project funding can support technical assistance services (labor costs only, such as for a consultant, design professional, installer or student labor) for projects across the state in all seven Minnesota CERT regions: Central, Metro, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and West Central.

CERTs awarded seed grants to Minnesota projects in 2006, 2007, and 2008, funding nearly 80 projects during that time, and providing non-financial assistance to many more. Lists and maps of past CERTs-supported projects can be seen at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-projects/certs-support....

“CERTs offers seed grants with two primary objectives in mind: to encourage implementation of community-based clean energy projects across the state, and to provide an educational forum for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and their economic, community and ecological benefits,” says Lissa Pawlisch, CERTs Statewide Coordinator.

Each region has a $40,000 pool of funding. Generally teams have funded projects in the $5,000 range, however should a larger project best help a team achieve its goals, that team may consider funding at a level up to $10,000. Each Regional Team’s Steering Committee will make its own selections and the funding level will vary by region. Projects approved for funding must be completed by December 30th, 2010.

Funding for these projects is provided through the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security. Proposals must be submitted no later than November 2nd, 2009 at 4:30pm.

To learn more, visit www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/community-projects/request-for-proposals.

Click here to download a press release >>

 
Are you an outgoing, detail-oriented individual interested in advancing clean energy solutions in Minnesota? Then we are looking for you. The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) are seeking a full-time Events Programming Coordinator to help further our mission to catalyze community-scale clean energy projects.

Staff from three of the CERT partnering organizations—the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, the Southwest Regional Development Commission, and the Green Institute—provide coordination to the seven regional CERTs. The partnering organizations are seeking someone to aid with outreach, scheduling and implementing regional clean energy forums.

The events programming coordinator will work cooperatively with the CERTs coordinators across the state on a variety of event, meeting and conference coordination. Responsibilities may including but not limited to the following:

• Schedule and organize CERT steering committee conference calls and meetings
• Coordinate speakers and venues for CERTs events in all seven regions—quarterly team meetings, workshops, and tours
• Help create meeting agendas, press releases and flyers for CERT regional events
• Coordinate with all regional coordinators to plan multi-region events and forums
• Implement robust outreach for both media and target audiences for all CERT events
• Assist in preparing all handout materials, making travel arrangements and procuring needed technologies (projectors, video cameras, etc.) for all CERTs events
• Create meeting summaries, add new CERT members to list serves and add presentations (and perhaps video clips) to the website after CERT events
• Follow up with speakers after CERT events
• Plan virtual workshops/webinars that would allow individuals from all regions to participate in brief technology-specific forums
• Support the biennial CERTs conference as needed

Applications are due September 4th, 2009. Please click here to see the full job posting and apply today >>