Greetings!
Welcome to the Energy Innovation Corridor e-Newsletter - this issue we will recap 2010 and look forward to 2011. 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. |
| 2010 Year in review |
As we reflect back on 2010, we are thrilled at what the Energy Innovation Corridor (EIC) has accomplished in the past year. Simultaneously, our vision for 2011 fills us with excitement and new possibilities.
The EIC was launched in 2009 with the vision to develop a partnership to build a model that integrates energy efficiency, renewable energy, smart technologies and transportation in order to achieve Minnesota's vision of a clean energy future with efficient mass transit that drives economic vitality. After a successful launch in 2009 that included forming our Partner Workgroup and setting goals, 2010 was a year of implementation.
The EIC achieved several major successes in 2010 including the launch of new energy efficiency and renewable energy funding programs, a bike-sharing program, a smart capacitor project, and the installation of the first ever electric vehicle charging station in Minnesota and the largest solar array in the Midwest. Take a look at some of our successes in more detail below. |
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Renewable energy |
The Minnesota Department of Commerce's Office of Energy Security kicked off the solar rebate program, funded with $3 million in federal stimulus money, in February. Rebates were available on a first come, first served basis for residents and businesses installing solar systems. The program was fully subscribed in April.
In March, Xcel Energy launched the Solar*Rewards program. The program offers incentives to Minnesota electricity customers to install solar panels on top of their homes and businesses. Through Solar*Rewards, Xcel Energy plans to support the installation of about 2 megawatts of solar energy each year for the next three years or about 450 installed systems annually.
 | | Minneapolis Convention Center Solar Array |
The largest solar photovoltaic project in Minnesota was installed on the rooftop of the Minneapolis Convention Center in mid-November. The 2,613 installed panels are estimated to generate 765,000 kWh of electricity in the first full year of operation. 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. |
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Energy efficiency |
 | | Home Energy Squad with Viktor the Viking |
In January, the new Home Energy Squad and Community Energy Services programs were launched. Over 1,000 homeowners took advantage of the programs that provide a free assessment of their home's efficiency and make necessary installations to improve their efficiency with homeowners only paying for the cost of materials. The programs are part of a partnership with the Center for Energy and Environment, CenterPoint Energy, The Neighborhood Energy Connection and Xcel Energy.
The City of Saint Paul installed new, energy efficient light emitting diode (LED) street lights in the downtown area using two federal stimulus grants they received from the Minnesota Office of Energy Security. The LED lights use significantly less energy and are estimated to last 70,000 hours compared to 24,000 hours for the old, high pressure sodium lamps. In addition, the RiverCentre replaced all lighting in their parking ramp with energy efficient fixtures with the support of a $2.8 million federal grant awarded to the City from the Department of Energy in the Fall of 2009 and Xcel Energy rebates. The new lighting will reduce the ramp's electricity use by 47 percent and save about $66,000 annually.
The Saint Paul Port Authority (SPPA) officially launched its innovative Trillion Btu program in March - one of the first in the nation to use energy conservation as an economic development tool. The SPPA used a $5 million federal stimulus grant, administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, to create a revolving loan fund that helps finance energy efficiency improvements in businesses. Xcel Energy and local Economic Development Agencies also fund the program. Other partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, Minnesota Legislature and the Center for Energy and Environment.
The City of Minneapolis rolled out its Energy Efficiency Business Loan and Grants program, which provides financing to Minneapolis businesses for facility improvements, decreasing the overall impact on the environment. The City of Minneapolis works in cooperation with the Center for Energy and Environment.
 In September, in partnership with Xcel Energy, BOMA Greater Minneapolis and Saint Paul BOMA implemented a new energy conservation initiative, the Kilowatt Crackdown. The initiative challenges members in the commercial office real estate community to reduce energy, save costs and position their buildings for the future. Approximately 85 buildings registered for the challenge. Top performers will be awarded in the Spring of 2012.
In April, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded Target Field LEEDŽ Silver Certification, making it the greenest ballpark in America. The USGBC gave the ballpark its highest ever rating, praising things like the field's efficient lights, recycling program and water saving. The foodservice equipment installed qualified for over $40,000 in natural gas rebates from CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy provided free energy modeling and electric incentives through their Energy Design Assistance program.
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Transportation |
 | | Minnesota's first public EV charging station |
In June the Nice Ride bike sharing program launched in Minneapolis. Over 32,000 trips were taken on the bikes throughout the year. The program is looking to expand into Saint Paul in 2011.
Minnesota's first public-use electric vehicle charging station debuted in December in the EIC. The state-of-the art ChargePoint™ station is located in the First National Bank Building parking ramp in downtown Saint Paul. Drivers who utilize the station can track their fuel and greenhouse gas emission savings, as well as the amount of clean energy used to charge and operate their vehicle. It's also powered by WindsourceŽ. |
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Smart Technologies |
 | | Smart VAr Pilot Project |
Installation of a Smart VAr capacitor pilot project began in August. By using 2-way communications and intelligent centralized software Xcel Energy will be able to minimize system losses on the distribution system. Thus far, the project is covering about 50 percent of the territory surrounding the EIC and will save about 1,360,000 kWh annually while removing approximately 820 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.
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What will 2011 bring? | |
We, the Partners of the EIC, thank you, our readers, for your interest and support. Please feel free to contact us if you wish to discuss any of the information found throughout this Year in Review. This doesn't even scratch the surface of what was accomplished as a team in 2010. For more information on the projects, programs and resources visit our website. |
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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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| Who's involved | |
Several public, private and non-profit organizations are making the Energy Innovation Corridor a reality.
Center for Energy and Environment
CenterPoint Energy
City of Minneapolis
City of Saint Paul
District Energy St. Paul
Greater Minneapolis BOMA
Greater Saint Paul BOMA
Hennepin County
Neighborhood Energy Connection
NRG
Office of Energy Security
Ramsey County
Saint Paul Port Authority
Science Museum of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Xcel Energy |
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Helping communities and businesses along the CCLRT
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The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce created the web-based campaign Discover Central Corridor. The campaign provides a valuable interactive map that allows customers to plan ahead and avoid the frustration of light rail construction reroutes and parking changes when patronizing stores, restaurants, and other businesses along the Central Corridor. In addition, by downloading logos, posters, even postcards, businesses owners can brand a business as part of the Discover Central Corridor campaign and increase their visibility to new and old customers. | |
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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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