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Energy Innovation Corridor e-Newsletter
Minnesota's clean energy and transportation showcase  

 

June 2013
Greetings!
  
Welcome to the June issue 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.
In This Issue
Science Museum of Minnesota partners to gain efficiencies
Gophers go hybrid
St. Paul teamed up with CERTS on an energy overhaul
Hennepin County looks at recapturing HERC's heat
University Avenue will be eating up energy efficiency
SAVE ENERGY & MONEY
Blogging about the EIC
Did you hear? EI award
Where's my bus campaign wins award

Science Museum of Minnesota partners to gain efficiencies

SMM bldgThrough grants from Target, Ecolab, Wells Fargo, and Xcel Energy, the support of District Energy St. Paul and a loan from the St. Paul Port Authority's Trillion BTU program, the Science Museum of Minnesota is embarking on a $2 million project to replace its obsolete energy management equipment with a state-of-the-art system, make other timely HVAC repairs, and implement a wide range of energy efficiency improvements, including advanced heat recovery. The museum anticipates that reduced energy consumption will save it nearly $300,000 annually. The low interest rate and generous loan conditions of the Trillion BTU program were the capstone opportunities that brought the Museum's whole energy initiative to fruition. Learn more about the Trillion BTU program.

Gophers go hybrid

U of M hybrid busThe first hybrid bus was added to the University of Minnesota campus connector fleet in 2008 with the help of a federal transportation grant. It is powered by a clean diesel hybrid electrical propulsion system that allows for fuel savings. The battery on top of the bus captures and stores braking energy for better efficiency. Compared to non-hybrid buses of the same size, this hybrid gets about 20 percent better mileage. In March 2010, a second hybrid bus was added to serve on the Campus Connector route between East and West Bank Minneapolis campuses, and in September 2012, a third hybrid (a 30-foot Gillig bus) was added to operate on a Campus Circulator route which connects the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses. The future plan is to increase the number of hybrid buses when possible.

St. Paul teamed up with CERTS on an energy overhaul

St. PaulHow does a city go about being a good energy role for its residents and businesses? By taking advantage of tools available. The city of Saint Paul received an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) from the Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and went to work to make the most of it. Through a comprehensive approach, the city decreased its energy load and saved money for itself and taxpayers, which makes for a stronger community. By utilizing and leveraging resources through CERTS, CEE, NEC and Xcel Energy - projects included lighting retrofits, building recommissioning, energy management controls and financing options for residents to name a few. Check out the whole story from CERTS Minnesota Energy Stories.

Hennepin County looks at recapturing HERC's heat

HERCHennepin County is examining the potential to develop a district energy system in the North Loop neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis. In this system, the heat currently lost when generating electricity at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) would be captured and distributed for space heating, hot water and space cooling for customers in the North Loop. Learn more about HERC and the north loop community energy system.

University Avenue will be eating up energy efficiency

NDC pilot

Food establishments will be eating up energy efficiency along the University Avenue stretch of the corridor. The Neighborhood Development Center began the pilot project by identifying high energy consumers like restaurants, convenience and grocery stores. Through its energy and resource efficiency demonstration pilot project, by the end of 2013, more than 60 commercial businesses will have the needed information and resources to significantly reduce costs through energy efficiency and other resource management. The approach starts with innovative outreach, and connects businesses with trusted partners and a full suite of solutions including financing options, energy audits, energy efficiency programs and rebates. Learn more.

SAVE ENERGY & MONEY 

 

50 percent off coupon for the Home Energy Squad is available through Aug. 1, 2013 via the Chinook Book mobile app. The app offers downloadable coupons for sustainable living and the Energy Innovation Corridor is the sponsor of the energy resources section. The Home Energy Squad is an innovative service committed to helping you save time, energy and money. Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy are partnering to help customers reduce energy use. Get the app to get the coupon. Learn more about HES.

 

Get with the refrigerator recycling program to gain some more space, more money in your pocket and help reduce your energy use. Xcel Energy will pick up your old, working, second fridge or freezer and recycle it free of charge. Do it before Oct. 31, 2013 to get a $50 cash rebate, two free compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and nearly $100 in annual energy savings. Learn more.

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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Blogging about the EIC

 CCFC

Check out the May 23 EIC guest blogger post for the

 

Central Corridor Funders Collaborative

 

Did you hear?

EI award  


The Energy Innovation Corridor won the Environmental Initiative award in the energy and climate protection category.

 

Read about it in the

news release, EI blog

or Connect blog.

 

Where's my bus

campaign

wins award

UM bus front  

The communications team from University of Minnesota Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) was recognized with two Northern Lights Awards at the 2013 Minnesota Association of Government Communicators awards banquet. One award was an Award of Excellence in the category of Writing - News Release and the other was an Award of Merit in the category of Plans - Other. Both awards recognized the creative writing and planning for the launch of the "Where's My Bus" campaign tied to the introduction of on-campus bus tracking technology.  Learn more.

 

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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.  

 

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