Greetings!
Welcome to another edition of the Energy Innovation Corridor e-Newsletter. Thank you for your continued interest in how we are partnering to develop a cleaner energy and transportation future for Minnesota. Questions or comments? Send us an e-mail. |
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Electric transportation coming to the EIC |
 The Minnesota Electric Vehicle Coalition is a group of government, private and non-profit organizations working together to bring transportation electrification to the Twin Cities and the state. Initially, the focus will be on hybrid to plug-in hybrid conversions and purchases of first generation electric vehicles, as well as installation of the charging infrastructure to support vehicles at homes and destination locations. Installing, demonstrating, and tracking the charging technology will be critical to building consumer confidence while learning how and where the charging infrastructure is best utilized.
A handful of electric vehicle charging stations will be installed along the Energy Innovation Corridor (EIC). Solar power to fuel the stations will be a focus along the EIC. Final charging station locations are still being determined, but the emphasis will be on high-visibility public parking lots. Vendors and contractors for the electric vehicle supply equipment, solar fixtures and installation will be identified this fall and winter, with construction to begin in mid-2011.
Funding for this project has been provided in partnership with Xcel Energy, the State of Minnesota's Office of Energy Security and the Department of Energy, using a variety of sources including, Xcel Energy's Chairman's Fund and the Renewable Development Fund. |
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Nice Ride releases three-month update |
 The nation's largest public bike sharing program kicked off in Minneapolis this past summer, and many of the most used Nice Ride Minnesota kiosks are located within the Energy Innovation Corridor (EIC). Interesting facts, like 57,645 total bike trips were made, can be found in a recently released three-month update.
Daily, monthly, and yearly subscriptions are available, and bikes are available between April and November. Subscribers get a report on gas saved and greenhouse gas emissions avoided! Take a Nice Ride the next time you visit the EIC! Sign up for Nice Ride, or find the closest kiosk on the system map. |
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Vikings promote energy efficiency |
The Minnesota Vikings, along with the Neighborhood Energy Connection, CenterPointe Energy and Xcel Energy, hosted Home Energy Squad Day on Aurora Avenue in Frogtown. Several Vikings players, cheerleaders and Viktor the Viking assisted Home Energy Squad technicians as they performed installations of energy-efficient materials in four homes. The Vikings helped to promote the program to neighborhood residents. The children enjoyed meeting Viktor, receiving prizes, and getting Vikings players' autographs!
The Home Energy Squad is a joint program of Xcel Energy and CenterPointe Energy designed to help customers reduce their electric and natural gas use by installing products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats and weather stripping. During a visit, technicians arrive at the customer's door, quickly identify saving opportunities, discuss product options with the customer, and perform the installations all in two hours or less. Customers pay only for the cost of materials. Labor costs are paid by the utility companies. As a result of customer participation in 2010, the program will save enough energy to supply nearly 900 homes for an entire year. |
| Energizing Welcome Week at the U of M | 
Over 5,000 new students arrived at the University of Minnesota for Welcome Week this fall. This week-long event engaged new students in campus activities and prepared them for the transition to college life. The organizers integrated sustainability education into the new student programming.
Students learned about the U's new energy reduction goal to save $2 million and 20,000 tons of carbon emissions, and the waste reduction goal to increase recycling collection by 5 percent (450 tons). They toured the new Leadership in Energy Efficient Design (LEED) Gold Science Teaching and Student Services building. Students learned about alternative transportation - Nice Ride Minnesota, Zip Car, and Zimride. Information about residence hall in-room recycling, the University's Reuse Center and the on-campus Farmers Market was part of the Welcome Week programming. Students also enjoyed a zero waste lunch provided by Dining Services.
The Institute on the Environment hosted an Open House that brought together student groups, external organizations, the Sustainability Studies minor, and the University's Sustainability Team. The "It All Adds Up" energy campaign volunteers collected energy pledges and gave out wristbands.People spotted wearing energy wristbands had a chance to win prizes. Riding the Power Bike was a fun way to demonstrate the energy needed to light an incandescent bulb versus a fluorescent bulb.
Welcome Week activities helped create an awareness of the University's commitment and leadership to campus sustainability. Check out the U's fall energy conservation update. |
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Solar on Minneapolis Convention Center |
 Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak along with representatives from the City Council, the Convention Center, IBEW Local, Westwood and Xcel Energy climbed onto the Minneapolis Convention Center roof on Tuesday to check out progress on what is shaping up to be the Upper Midwest's largest solar photovoltaic system. Visitors were able to see the first completed section of the array - 403 of the 2,613 panels that will produce 750,000 kWh of renewable energy per year by year's end. The project is being funded with a $2 million grant from Xcel Energy's Renewable Development Fund and fits with the City of Minneapolis' goal of increasing its share of renewable energy. This system will produce the equivalent of powering 85 homes annually while offsetting 539 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions (the amount given off by 60,587 gallons of gasoline). All of the energy will be used onsite, supplying 15-20 percent of the Convention Center's daytime use and 5-8 percent of overall use. Check out more on the project. |
| 2010 Minnesota Solar Tour |
 The 2010 Minnesota Solar Tour took place on October 2 and included over 50 homes, businesses, and institutions around the state with solar, wind, and geothermal energy installations. The Energy Innovation Corridor (EIC) was highlighted with the inclusion of the City of Minneapolis' Royalston Maintenance Facility. Royalston's sixteen 165-watt photovoltaic cells generate 2.6 kW of electric power. The solar array is mounted on a mast arm that automatically tracks the sun throughout the day. Minneapolis was excited to show off one of the first solar projects along the EIC, and the city hopes to install a second rooftop array facility in the near future, said the city's Property Services' Brian Millberg. |
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Keep the cold out of your home
Energy and money savings tips for homeowners |
 Seal household windows to prevent drafts
Older homes, in particular, can benefit during winter by covering windows with plastic film. Home improvement stores carry easy-to-install window-sealing kits. You'll block out drafts and could save more than $40 on your energy bill in one heating season.
Maintain furnace filters and vents
Dirty furnace filters reduce airflow, making your furnace work harder and use more energy. Change furnace filters once a month during the heating season to reduce heating costs by 5 percent.
Use a programmable thermostat
You can cut annual heating and cooling bills by as much as 10 percent per year by automatically setting your thermostat to coincide with your daily routine. In the winter, set your thermostat between 65 and 70 degrees when you are at home and at 58 degrees when you are away from home for more than a few hours.
For energy-saving and safety tips, check out Using Natural Gas at Home and Using Electricity at Home. |
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Thanks for your continued interest and support of the Energy Innovation Corridor - Minnesota's showcase area - making energy-efficiency, renewable energy, smart technologies and transportation a reality.
Sincerely,
The Energy Innovation Corridor Communications Team | |
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| About
Energy Innovation Corridor | |
Located within one of the most unique urban communities in the country, the Energy Innovation Corridor was formed to create a sustainable energy and transportation showcase. The first-of-its-kind, this clean energy and transportation model extends along the 11-mile Central Corridor light rail transit project route, from downtown Saint Paul to Target Field in downtown Minneapolis, along Washington and University avenues, via the Minnesota State Capitol and entire University of Minnesota-Minneapolis campus. Visit our website.
Please forward this e-newletter to other interested parties and encourage them to join our mailing list! | |
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Finding resources in the East Metro just got easier |  | |
EnergySmartsPay.com
Easy.
Online. Locate energy assistance and conservation programs. |
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Energy Saver Rebates have returned | |
Two million dollars in Energy Saver Rebates is now available for homeowners who install eligible energy-saving home improvements. These improvements must be financed using a Fix-up Fund loan. Rebates up to $10,000 are available on a first-come first-served basis. For more information, call Minnesota Housing at 651-296-8215 or 800-710-8871 or look online for the Energy Saver Rebate application. |
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Energy efficiency tips for businesses | |
Lighting
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Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, fluorescent T12s with T8s. -
Consider high-intesity discharge (HID) light for parking.
Heating and cooling
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Choose the right HVAC equipment for your office's needs. Don't oversize HVAC equipment; choose high-efficiency models. -
Perform regular maintenance of you HVAC equipment. Replace or clean filters and coils, and have an experienced professional tune up your equipment on a regular basis. -
Use exhaust fans as little as possible, especially during unoccupied hours.
General office equipment
Learn more ways to save energy and money in your business operations. Heating and cooling
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| Interested in LRT progress? |
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Sign up with the Metropolitan Council for updates about the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project construction. | |
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