Greetings!
Welcome to the November 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 email. |
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All-electric Transit Connects hit the streets | |
Five Drive Electric Minnesota members including the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, the State of Minnesota and Xcel Energy recently received all-electric Ford Transit Connect commercial vans to add to their fleets. The City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County have or will receive their vehicles making the fleet total eight. As a part of a pilot project with Xcel Energy, members are testing this emerging technology to help Minnesota get EV-ready.
Drive Electric Minnesota indicates that electric vehicles will play an important role in efforts to protect the environment and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, and are seeking more sustainable fleet solutions by testing promising new technologies that support local, green jobs. Use of the vehicles will also reduce fuel and maintenance costs, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. All-electric Transit Connects emit no tailpipe pollution and represent about a 75 percent reduction of carbon dioxide compared to full-sized gas-powered pickups. The Ford Transit Connect Electric uses an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls to achieve a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge and is rechargeable using either a 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlet. Learn more.
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Saint Paul RiverCentre ramp showcase | |
The Saint Paul RiverCentre parking ramp is an energy efficient, renewable energy, EV-ready showcase in the Energy Innovation Corridor. The ramp features an 82 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic installation on its seven stories. With the help of both federal and state grants, the Saint Paul RiverCentre parking ramp features 348 American-made solar photovoltaic panels that will generate 100,000 kWh of ene rgy annually. (That's enough energy to power nine homes for a year!)
 The ramp also features two electric vehicle charging stations, paid for through federal stimulus funds, and an energy-efficient lighting conversion of 1,087 high pressure sodium lamps to new energy-efficient fluorescent lamps (an annual savings of $50,000!). Lighting costs were offset by an Xcel Energy rebate.
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Solar hot water at Minneapolis Fire Station No.1 | |
A solar hot water system has been installed at Fire Station No. 1. The three collector system, installed by Innovative Power Systems, covers 120 square feet and is expected to meet 70-80 percent of the building's annual hot water needs. |
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District Energy St. Paul wins IREC award | |
District Energy St. Paul's Solar Thermal District Energy project was awarded one of five innovation awards from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). The Solar Thermal District Energy project won under the category of community renewables. District Energy St. Paul, in partnership with Department of Energy's Solar America Communities, developed, owns and operates the 23,000 square foot solar thermal system integrated into an urban district energy system. The project shows that solar energy can supplement existing district systems from both a technological and business model perspective. The solar energy produced for domestic hot water and space heating is used within the RiverCentre convention complex, the host site. Any excess solar energy production is distributed into the district heating network and other nearby buildings benefit. Learn more. |
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Foreclosed homes get energy efficient renovation | |
 Two foreclosed homes along the Energy Innovation Corridor in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood were recently renovated and feature energy-efficient improvements. Each home meets Home Performance with ENERGY STARŪ requirements and qualified for rebates offered through the program. The location of the homes has great transit service and will soon enjoy light rail access. More energy-efficient homes are being renovated across Saint Paul. Projects partners are the Neighborhood Energy Connection (NEC), the City of Saint Paul, Larkins Construction, community developer Sparc and Xcel Energy. Learn more.
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Cracking down on wasted kilowatts | |
 Greater Minneapolis BOMA recently published its November newsletter and on page nine you can check out an article about two companies, many projects and lots of savings. As participants in the BOMA Kilowatt Crackdown contest, sponsored by Xcel Energy, the two featured companies detail some of what they've done and how projects fit into their budgets and sustainability plans. Together they offer this helpful hint to anyone in charge of their building's energy costs: '...use your vendors, utility representatives and electricians for guidance - they've always got ideas on how to save.' Go to the newsletter.
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New HOURCAR hub | |
 HOURCAR has a new hub location in Stadium Village, which is sponsored by Solhaus green apartments. The Stadium Village location is accessible via transit service along University Avenue right in the Energy Innovation Corridor. Learn more.
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SAVE MONEY and ENERGY | |
 Improve energy efficiency by sealing leaks
Sealing air leaks is one of the most important steps a homeowner can take to improve the efficiency of their home. Improving insulation can also reduce energy consumption by more than 10 percent. CenterPoint Energy's Air Sealing and Insulation program helps lower the cost of adding insulation and sealing air leaks by providing qualifying homeowners rebates of as much as 50 percent of the cost of improvements, up to a maximum of $350. To qualify for the Air Sealing and Insulation rebate customers must first receive a Home Energy Audit that includes a blower door test, and that is completed by a certified auditor. Get more details and complete rebate rules.
Bonus Lighting Rebates up to 50% Available
For most businesses, lighting is a main driver of energy costs, accounting for up to 44 percent of monthly energy bills. Every step to lower your lighting use, from installing energy-efficient lighting to limiting lights to where and when you need them, can significantly lower your energy bills and earn substantial rebates. Bonus rebates are available: Due to 2009 U.S. Department of Energy regulations, the manufacture of nearly all inefficient T12 fluorescent lighting will be phased out in 2012 and will no longer be available for purchase. To assist you with this significant change, Xcel Energy is offering limited-time bonus rebates for T12 to T8 retrofits, T12 to T8 delamping and T12 to T5 retrofits. Get specifics of the rebates and bonus rebates. Xcel Energy's Energy Efficiency Specialists can help you start the process to implement cost-effective lighting solutions at 1-800-481-4700 or energyefficiency@xcelenergy.com.
For all types of companies in all types of facilities, upgrading your lighting is often simple and cost effective. Check out this short video. |
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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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Energy Efficient Vehicles Forum
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November 22, 2011
Environment Minnesota hosts the program, which features Dr. Kim Stelson, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and Director of The Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power. Discussion will include hydraulic hybrid vehicles and how they compare to other alternative approaches, including pure electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.
Click here to save your seat today! |
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How do EV charging stations work?
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The City of Saint Paul has produced a handy video to introduce the new and easy-to-use technology. Check it out. |
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The Big Green Conference | |
November 10
Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Airport, Bloomington
Get more details
The Big Green Conference is a unique gathering of public, private and non-profit partners coming together to address key environmental issues. This conference has quickly established itself as the place where 'business and government meet.' The Conference features nationally recognized speakers, cutting edge breakout sessions and a green expo presenting new and innovative technologies. | |
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Solar in Saint Paul | |
Last month, Zenergy completed two 39.7 kilowatt solar photovoltaic installations at the City of Saint Paul's Western District Police Station and Public Works Municipal Building located at 891 North Dale Street. The projects were funded by a Federal Stimulus grant through the Minnesota Department of Commerce and received nearly $180,000 in Xcel Energy Solar Rewards rebates.
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About
Energy Innovation Corridor
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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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| Interested in LRT progress? |  | |
Sign up with the Metropolitan Council for updates about the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project construction. |
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