University of Minnesota Solar Development Roadmap
University of Minnesota Campus Development Roadmap
Solar energy provides Universities with the opportunities to expand experiential learning and research, diversity and increase the resiliency of campus infrastructure, engage alumni, donors and prospective students/faculty, advance sustainability goals, and enjoy monetary savings. In 2015, the University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab created the SUN Delegation with guidance from MREA and Institute on the Environment. Between 2015 and 2017, the Delegation worked with University staff and faculty to identify pathways to invest in solar energy. These efforts were an instrumental catalyst in encouraging University decision makers to invest in solar. Since the SUN Delegation was formed in 2015 the University has taken the following steps to invest in solar:
Community Solar Gardens (CSG): In 2016, the University subscribed to two megawatts (MW) of solar power from a CSG developed by Geronimo Energy. This investment will save the University approximately $800,000 and offset ~55,300 metric tons of greenhouse gases over 25 years. In 2017, UMN subscribed to a total of 22.5 additional MW. The additional subscriptions are expected to produce 1,095,187,000 kWh of electricity and generate $35,661,070 in savings over 25 years.
On-Site Solar: Ameresco, Inc will install 2.255 MW of solar panels on the Twin Cities campus. The University’s new Bell Museum will also include several small educational solar arrays. Delegation students also developed a transportable solar testbed that students will be able to use on campus.
Duluth Campus Student Services Fee: UMD students successfully petitioned and received $100,000 from the Duluth Campus Student Services Fee and another $50,000 from UMD’s Revolving Loan Fund. The funds will be used to install an 11kW PV array on campus in 2016.
Xcel Energy Renewable Connect: UMN recently signed up to participate in Xcel Energy’s program, which allows ratepayers to subscribe to energy produced from wind and solar.
The University recognizes this as a step forward towards sustainability and a wise financial investment.
Benefits of Solar
In addition these investments are expected to have a number of benefits over time:
Cost Savings: Financial viability was a major factor that stakeholders at the University considered when deciding whether or not to invest in solar. The University expects to enjoy a positive ROI on solar investments. In addition, diversifying its energy portfolio allows the University to improve its resilience against foreseen and unforeseen energy price changes that may occur in the future.
Sustainability: Encouraging solar on campus has provided valuable opportunities to improve the University of Minnesota’s leadership in sustainability. The University of Minnesota recognizes climate change as one of the grand challenges humanity will have to overcome in the 21st century and is dedicated to research and is “driven to discover” new knowledge and solutions for the world. Renewable energy technology, combined with energy reduction strategies, have a huge potential to mitigate climate change without sacrificing our quality of life.
Educational Value: Solar arrays will advance research and education at the University. Data produced from a solar array and weather stations will allow researchers to create and enhance photovoltaic system models. The solar arrays would also allow educational site visits for classes and student groups across the University. In addition, this work has helped to make University of Minnesota a pioneer in university solar investment. For example, there are no case studies in existence of other universities who have a CSG subscription of more than one MW. The University of Minnesota is a pioneer in this endeavor.
Support for Research: Participation in the Solar Endowment program provided additional resources and legitimacy to students and faculty interested in solar. For example, students encouraged the University to consider opportunities for solar projects aimed at generating low carbon energy while providing valuable pollinator habitat.
Positive Public Image: Solar investment will increase the visibility of the University’s position as a leading institution on clean energy and combating climate change. While efforts such as energy efficiency and the CHP project have also had a tremendous effect on the campus’ carbon emissions, the visibility of solar panels will help the University to demonstrate a public commitment to sustainability. This could potentially help the University recruit sustainability-minded students and donors.
The University of Minnesota Campus PV Development Roadmap describes the process that UMN students, faculty and staff undertook to investigate and invest in solar. The SUN Delegation compiled this roadmap to guide other higher education institutions considering a path to solar.
Learn More about the Midwest Energy Storage Summit Speakers
Energy Storage Summit Speaker and Moderator List
Mary Powell
CEO/President
Green Mountain Power
Mary Powell is nationally recognized as an energy visionary, positioning Green Mountain Power as a leading energy transformation company. Mary Powell will be the Keynote Speaker at the Summit and Green Mountain Power was recently featured in this New York Times article for its efforts to rethink carbon-based power systems
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Mary has served as president and chief executive officer for GMP since 2008. She initiated and implemented a strategic and comprehensive restructuring of the company that dramatically transformed GMP, and she has been the backbone of a cultural transformation and service quality improvement. Fast, fun, and effective is her motto. Under Mary’s leadership, GMP became the first utility in the world to become a certified B Corp, showing a commitment to use energy as a force for good.
Mary has delivered on an ambitious energy vision to provide low-carbon, low-cost and highly reliable power to Vermonters. As a result, GMP became the first utility to offer to help customers go off-grid, built Vermont’s largest wind farm, made Rutland, Vermont, the Solar Generation Capital of New England, and installed smart grid technology across GMP’s service territory.
In 2012, Mary led the acquisition of Central Vermont Public Service, with a promise to generate $144 million in savings for customers. GMP has grown from serving 88,000 customers in 2008 to serving over 260,000 customers, with revenues of more than $640 million and $2 billion in assets.
And in 2015, Mary led another partnership with Tesla, with GMP becoming the first utility anywhere to offer customers the Tesla Powerwall battery.
In 2014, Mary was recognized by Powergen as the Woman of the Year, in 2015 The Burlington Free Press named her Vermonter of the Year, in 2016 Fast Company named Mary one of the 100 most creative people in business, and in 2017, Mary was named one of the top 25 Most Influential Women of the Mid-Market by CEO Connection.
Chistopher B. Clark
President
Xcel Energy– Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
Chrisopher Clark is responsable for the strategic plan and financial results of Xcel Energy as well as the company’s customer, community, regulatory legislative and governmental relationships in Minneosta, North Dakota and South Dakota.
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George Crabtree
Director
Joint Center for Energy Storage Research
Argonne National Laboratory
George Crabtree is Director of the Joint Center for Energy Storage (JCESR) at Argonne National Laboratory and Professor of Physics, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC).
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Kelly Speakes-Backman
Chief Executive Officer
Energy Storage Association
Prior to coming to the Energy Storage Association Kelly Speakes-Backman spent over 20 years working on energy and environmental issues in the public, NGO and private sectors.
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Ellen Anderson
Executive Director
Energy Transition Lab, University of Minnesota
Prior to coming to the Energy Transition Lab, Ellen Anderson served in the Minnesota Senate, was a senior advisor to Gov. Mark Dayton, and served as chair of the MN Public Utilities Commission.
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From 2012 to 2014, Anderson was senior advisor on energy and environment to Gov. Mark Dayton and assisted the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board on energy and environmental issues. Anderson helped coordinate state climate change planning, led the implementation of Gov. Dayton’s Executive Order 11-32, including organizing the EQB’s Minnesota Environmental Congress, issuing Minnesota’s Environment and Energy Report Card, and initiating and drafting the EQB’s Minnesota and Climate Change: Our Tomorrow Starts Today report.
In March 2011 Gov. Dayton appointed Anderson chair of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, where she served until early 2012.
Anderson served in the Minnesota Senate from 1993 to 2011 and was re-elected five times, representing several neighborhoods of St. Paul and the city of Falcon Heights. She chaired the Jobs, Energy and Community Development Committee; the Commerce Committee; the Energy and Telecommunications Committee; and the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Finance Committee. Her signature legislation includes the Renewable Energy Standard, the Community Based Energy Development law, the Next Generation Energy Act, and many other energy and consumer protection laws, including a law raising the minimum wage; the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment (co-author); the Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Act; and the first law in the nation, now in federal law, protecting nursing mothers in the workplace.
Anderson holds a B.A. from Carleton College and J.D. cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School. She was an adjunct faculty member at Metropolitan State University and the University of Minnesota, teaching courses in law, energy, and sustainability. She has served in numerous leadership and community volunteer positions and received dozens of awards for her leadership in energy, environment, and economic and social justice. Most recently, Anderson received the 2013 Ecological Society of America Regional Policy Award for Informing Policy with Ecological Science and served on the advisory committee for the 2014 Midwest Innovation Summit. She currently serves as a member of the Citizens League Electrical Energy Study Committee, an observer to the e21 project on new utility business models, and the advisory boards for the U of MN Joint Degree Program in Law, Science & Technology, and the Will Steger Foundation.
Eray S. Aydil
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
University of Minnesota
Dr. Eray S. Aydil is the Ronald L. and Janet A. Christenson Chair in Renewable Energy.
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Ed Burgess
Senior Manager
Strategen Consulting
Ed helps to lead Strategen’s utility and government consulting practices. He specializes in evaluation and design of policies and programs to advance deployment distributed energy resources, demand-side management programs, energy storage and grid integration of renewable energy.
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Christopher Clack
Founder, CEO
Vibrant Clean Energy
Dr. Clack is an expert in Renewable Energy, Atmospheric Science, Energy Modeling, Computer Programming, and Optimization. Dr. Clack recently collaborated with the Energy Transition Lab and Strategen Consulting to conduct an analysis of the energy storage opportunities that exist in Minnesota.
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Lin Franks
Senior Strategist, RTO, FERC & Compliance Initiatives
Indianapolis Power & Light Company
Ms. Franks has worked towards the creation of appropriate FERC and RTO tariff and business practice rules to incent interconnection of batteries with the grid.
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Ms. Franks is the Senior Strategist, RTO, FERC & Compliance Initiatives for Indianapolis Power & Light Company (“IPL), an AES company. As part of IPL’s active engagement with the Midcontinent ISO (MISO) Stakeholder process, she represents IPL for market, reliability and transmission issues. She has over the past three years worked toward the creation of appropriate FERC and RTO tariff and business practices rules to incent interconnection of batteries with the grid. She spearheaded integration of the first lithium ion battery, IPL’s Harding Street BESS, into MISO. She also coordinates the drafting and submittal of comments to FERC for all US AES Entities.
Ms. Franks was the sponsor of and Chairman of the Electric and Natural Gas Coordination Task Force from its beginning in 2012 till September 2015. She previously served as the Chair of the MISO Ancillary Services Task Force and as the Chair of the State Ratemaking Study Group, and the Long-Term FTR and Planning Task Force, the Vice Chair of the Interconnection Process Task Force, the Supply Adequacy Working Group and the Stakeholder Governance Working Group.
Ms. Franks has more than forty years industry experience in the United States and Western European energy industries. Her electricity experience covers real time operations, transmission and generation planning and more. She has held both line and officer positions in the electricity and natural gas sectors and contributed to the success of the two most notable natural gas hubs/market centers in the world, Henry Hub and Zeebrugge. Her natural gas experience includes designing and drilling natural gas wells, physical and financial trading of hydrocarbons as well as hub and pipeline operations. She was a contributing author in a book published by Risk Publication, “The US Power Market” and the March 2000, “Telecommunications Revolution.” She also contributed to the Energy Publishing Enterprises 2000 publication “Energy Derivatives: Trading Emerging Markets.”
William Grant
Deputy Commissioner, Division of Energy Resources
Minnesota Department of Commerce
As Deputy Commissioner of the Energy Resources Division within the Minnesota Department of Commerce, William Grant oversees Utility Planning and Advocacy, Low Income Home Energy Assistance and Weatherization programs, and the State Energy Office.
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Mike Gregerson
Energy Infrastructure Program Consultant
Great Plains Institute
Mike Gregerson has over 30 years of management, executive and consulting experience in the electric utility arena including environmental and regulatory affairs, customer service and energy policy negotiations.
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Dr. Imre Gyuk
Director of Energy Storage Research
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, US Department of Energy
Dr. Gyuk has managed the Electrical Energy Storage research program in the Office of Electricity for the past 12 years.
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Jessica Hellmann
Director
Institute on the Environment (IonE), University of Minnesota
Jessica Hellmann provides overall strategic leadership for IonE, an internationally recognized organization working to solve grand environmental challenges.
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Jessica Hellmann is the director of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota. She provides overall strategic leadership for the institute, an internationally recognized organization working to solve grand environmental challenges while promoting interdisciplinary research, teaching and leadership across the university and engaging external partners and stakeholders. She is also the Russell M. and Elizabeth M. Bennett Chair in Excellence in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior in the College of Biological Sciences.
Hellmann’s research focuses on global change ecology and climate adaptation. She was among the first to propose and study ways to reduce the impact of climate change through new techniques in conservation management. Hellmann led an important paradigm shift in ecology and natural resource management by showing that adaptation — living with climate change — is just as crucial to the future of humanity and Earth’s ecosystems as slowing and stopping greenhouse gas emissions. Her research and that of her students also has shown that differences in the way populations respond to climate change are key to predicting and managing their future.
Hellmann regularly counsels state and national governments on habitat management, restoration and endangered species conservation so future generations can enjoy the beauty and function of nature as we do today. In addition, building upon her seminal findings in ecology, Hellmann has extended her work on climate change adaptation to human systems, including health, infrastructure, food and water. She works with governments and corporations to build investment in climate change adaptation and co-authored several climate assessment and adaptation planning efforts, including the biodiversity and ecosystem portions of the Chicago Climate Action Plan and the 2014 National Climate Assessment. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Great Plains Institute, the Science Advisory Council of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, and the Visiting Committee of the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources.
Before coming to the University of Minnesota in 2015, Hellmann was on the faculty at the University of Notre Dame in the Department of Biological Sciences. She also served as research director of the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index, which assesses and ranks the vulnerability of nations around the world to climate change and their readiness to adapt to climate change. She continues to collaborate with ND-GAIN as a core research member, mentoring several ND-GAIN researchers based at the University of Minnesota and elsewhere around the country. In addition, she led the climate change adaptation program at Notre Dame’sEnvironmental Change Initiative and directed GLOBES, an interdisciplinary graduate training program in environment and society, among numerous other high-level academic and scientific responsibilities. She also founded Notre Dame’s undergraduate minor in sustainability.
Hellmann earned her Ph.D. in biology from Stanford University and served as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford’s Center for International Security and Cooperation and the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Biodiversity Research. She is an alumna of Stanford’s Leopold Leadership Program and a recipient of a career enhancement fellowship from the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. She became a member of the Notre Dame faculty in 2003.
Hellmann is a frequent contributor to leading scientific journals such as Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, BioScience and PLOS ONE. She serves on the editorial board of the journal Evolutionary Applications, is an associate editor with both Conservation Biology and Elementa, and serves on committees for the Ecological Society of America, the College Board and the National Academy of Sciences.
A skilled science communicator, Hellmann is routinely called upon by leading media outlets around the world such as CNN, NPR, Fox News, The Telegraph and the Chicago Tribune to provide expert input on topics related to global change and ways to minimize adverse impacts to people and nature.
Originally from Indiana and Michigan, Hellmann enjoys a wide range of activities, including marathoning, traveling the world, exploring the Midwest, gardening and spending quiet time with her husband and daughter.
Alexandra B. Klass
Distinguished McKnight University Professor
University of Minnesota Law School
As a Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota Law School Alexandra Klass teaches and writes in the areas of energy law, environmental law, natural resources law, tort law, and property law.
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Bradley Klein
Senior Attorney
Environmental Law & Policy Center
As a senior attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center, Bradley Klein works on renewable energy and clean water litigation and policy.
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David Kolata
Executive Director
Citizens Utility Board, Illinois
The Citizens Utility Board has been called the “gold standard of consumer groups nationwide” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
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Nancy Lange
Chair, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Chair, Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment, NARUC
Chair, Midcontinent States Environmental and Energy Regulators
Nancy Lange was appointed Commissioner to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by Governor Mark Dayton, effective March 4, 2013, and appointed Chair, January 23, 2017.
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Clair Moeller
Executive Vice President, Operations
MISO
As an executive leader of the office of the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Moeller is responsible for MISO’s transmission planning functions and transmission services. He is a well-respected industry expert with more than 25 years of experience in the operation of power systems in the Upper Midwest.
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Lissa Pawlisch
RSDP Director
University of Minnesota Clean Energy Research Teams
Lissa Pawlisch is the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) Director for the University of Minnesota Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships.
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Phyllis Reha
Principal
PAR Energy Solutions
Reha served as a Commissioner of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for a dozen years. While on the Commission, she was appointed to and served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), Chair of the Energy Resources and Environment Committee, and as a key member of the NARUC-Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Collaborative on Smart Response which is the venue for State and federal regulators to discuss issues and make recommendations for State and federal policies to support both smart grid and demand response.
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Brett Simon
Energy Storage Analyst
GTM Research/Greentech Media
Brett Simon is an energy storage analyst at GTM Research, focusing on both U.S. and international behind-the-meter energy storage markets.
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Ken Smith
President and CEO
Evergreen Energy
Ken Smith, PE, MBA was named the president and CEO of Ever-Green Energy and District Energy St. Paul in 2010. A recognized leader in community and campus scale energy systems, Ken is actively engaged in industry, policy, and academic forums addressing our energy future.
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has participated in an energy policy exchange between Germany and the State of Minnesota. Prior to joining Ever-Green Energy in 2006, Smith worked globally in the engineering and construction industry for over 20 years: planning, designing and implementing highly reliable energy projects, including central plants, micro-grids, datacenters, and other mission critical facilities for advanced tech industry, campuses, international airports, and U.S. Department of Defense. Smith currently serves as vice president of the Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System Board of Directors (M-RETS); executive board member of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce; and is a Fellow of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment (IonE). From 2014-2015 he served as Chair of the International District Energy Association board of
directors. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, MN. Smith is a registered professional engineer in several U.S. states.
Beth Soholt
Executive Director
Wind on the Wires
Beth Soholt is the Executive Director of the non-profit organization Wind on the Wires (WOW). WOW is the Midwest’s premier organization focused on significantly expanding the penetration of wind power and overcoming the barriers to bringing wind power to market.
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Ted J. Thomas
Chair, Arkansas Public Service Commission
Vice President, Organization of MISO States
Ted Thomas of Conway was appointed Chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission by Governor Asa Hutchinson in January 2015.
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Chairman Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors in Political Science from the University of Arkansas in 1986 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1988. He is licensed to practice law before the United States Supreme Court, the Arkansas Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the Eight Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas.
Chairman Thomas is Vice President of the Organization of MISO States (OMS) and serves on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Washington Action Committee and the Committee on Electricity.
Sarah Van Cleve
Energy Policy Advisor
Tesla
Sarah manages Tesla’s energy storage policy development, collaborating with regulators and legislators on policies affecting the development of energy storage in US electricity markets.
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Learn more about the Midwest Energy Storage Summit and register today!
Don’t Miss These Upcoming Energy Transition Events!

Photo Credit: CERTS
MREA Energy Fair St. Paul, Minnesota Sept 9-10, 2017
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is hosting its first Energy Fair in St. Paul, Minnesota this September. The Energy Fair brings people together to learn about clean energy and sustainable and to connect with others. The fair provides fun for the whole family and will feature interactive workshops, exhibits, live music, local food, and inspiring keynote speakers. Exhibits will focus on sustainable living and clean energy products. Workshops will focus on sustainable living, energy efficiency, renewable energy and more! Click here to learn more about the Energy fair!
Midwest Energy Storage Summit Minneapolis, Minnesota Sept 15, 2017
The University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab, in partnership with the Minnesota Energy Storage Alliance, will host the Midwest Energy Storage Summit on Friday, September 15, 2017, at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The Summit will include over 300 participants from throughout the Midwest representing energy leaders from industry, the public sector, academia and non-profit sectors. The goal of the Midwest Energy Storage Summit is to gather energy stakeholders from a variety of sectors in order to reach a shared understanding of energy storage trends, opportunities, and barriers in our region and nationally. We will connect Midwesterners to learn from each other and explore opportunities for regional cooperation. Click here to learn more about the Midwest Energy Storage Summit.
2017 OATI Energy Conference Minneapolis, Minnesota Sept 19-21, 2017
Energy Transition Lab Executive Director Ellen Anderson will be providing the keynote address at the SPARK 2017 OATI Energy Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Anderson will be speaking about grid modernization. Conference Attendees will learn about the evolving energy industry and have the opportunity to network with top leaders and professionals in the industry. Click here to learn more and register for the OATI Energy Conference
Energy Transition Lab at Energy Storage North America 2017

Ellen Anderson Speaking at Energy Transition Lab’s Energy Storage Summit
Energy Transition Lab Executive Director Ellen Anderson will be speaking at Energy Storage North America (ENSA) about how Minnesota has worked to optimize existing transmission distribution and generation assets with storage.
Ellen Anderson will join Brian Burandt of Connexus Energy, Ed Burgess of Strategen Consulting, and Jessica Harrison of MISO for a discussion detailing Minnesota stakeholders’ efforts to evaluate the value of storage across grid generation, transmission, and distribution domains and jumpstart the local energy storage market. The presentation will review key model findings on the cost-benefits of storage to Minnesota’s grid, update attendees on energy storage RFPs, and detail next steps to engage in this emerging market.
Midwest Energy Storage Summit 9-15-17: Video, Slides & More
The University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab, in partnership with the Minnesota Energy Storage Alliance, hosted the Midwest Energy Storage Summit on Friday, September 15, 2017, at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The Summit included over 300 participants from throughout the Midwest representing energy leaders from industry, the public sector, academia and non-profit sectors.
- Click here for the Summit agenda, videos and slide decks.
- Click here to download the 2nd edition of Energy Storage 101: A Quick-Reference Handbook.
- Bios of our speakers can be found here.
Thank you to all our participants and sponsors!
About the Midwest Energy Storage Summit
Our energy systems are undergoing a significant transition, and energy storage is linchpin for a more flexible, resilient, reliable, efficient, and low carbon grid. Whether considering grid or distribution scale or customer applications, furthering deployment of storage in the Midwest will require an integrated, collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach, as well as a deep understanding of technology advancements and the market and regulatory environments.
The goal of the Midwest Energy Storage Summit was to gather energy stakeholders from a variety of sectors in order to reach a shared understanding of energy storage trends, opportunities, and barriers in our region and nationally. We connected Midwesterners to learn from each other and explore opportunities for regional cooperation. Goals of the conference included:
- Understanding MISO operations and rules relating to energy storage and current and future implications for the regional grid;
- Learning about storage from different perspectives, including
- Policy and regulatory pathways,
- The role of research in bringing technology to market, and
- Implementation – how “doers” get projects off the ground; and
- Capitalizing on networking and collaboration opportunities.
Click here for more information about Summit lodging and transportation
Kilowatt Sponsors
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
PAR Energy Solutions
Supporting Partner: Midwestern Governors Association
Media Sponsor: Midwest Energy News
Is energy storage the game changer we’ve been looking for? Find Out February 23 at 12:00

Photo Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Why is energy storage called the “Swiss Army Knife” of the electric grid? It can potentially provide many different services to enhance renewable energy, reduce unnecessary infrastructure expenses, and help smooth out demand/supply curves. But is this a good deal for customers? Is the technology ready for prime time? And is it just about batteries? Attend the next presentation for the Institute on the Environment’s Frontiers in the Environment series and find out. The presentation will feature a panel discussion moderated by Ellen Anderson, Executive Director, Energy Transition Lab. The panel will include: Brian Burandt, Connexus Energy; Ron Nelson, Attorney General’s office; Ned Mohan, Engineering Professor, University of Minnesota, and Don Fosnacht, Associate Director, Natural Resources Resource Institute. Burandt, an electric cooperative and Nelson, a ratepayer advocate, will discuss the value proposition for utilities and customers. Mohan and Fosnacht will discuss technology advances in energy storage.Join YouTube Live here for 2/23.
Date: Thursday, February 23 at 12:00 PM
Location: Digital Technology Center, Walter 402, 117 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis
Report from Marrakech: UMN at the U.N. COP22 Global Climate Negotiations

COP22 Source: 350.org
Report from Marrakech: UMN at the U.N. COP22 Global Climate Negotiations
Marrakech Reflections: the University of Minnesota at COP22 by Ellen Anderson

Photo Credit: Climate Alliance Org (CC BY 2.0)
Ellen Anderson
11/18/16
Marrakech Reflections: the University of Minnesota at COP22
We are winding up the final day of COP22, the international gathering of 190+ nations of the world in Marrakech, Morocco, with the goal of carrying forward the Paris Agreement on climate change. This COP, or Conference of the Parties, marks the 22nd year of efforts to build international cooperation under the umbrella of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, (UNFCCC). It is the first COP meeting since the historic Paris Agreement came into effect on November 4, following the approval of at least 55 countries representing at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions—including the U.S. Marrakech has built a conference center resembling a sprawling, modern conference center tent city. Like previous COPs, the “Blue Zone” tents hold the official negotiating sessions, dozens of country pavilions, and high-level representatives from many nations including the U.S. The Green Zone is open to all participants and includes a cacophony of languages, speeches, songs, art, and orderly demonstrations by civil society, innovative businesses, and others. The University of Minnesota’s official U.N delegation for week two of the COP includes 3 professors (myself, Gabe Chan, and Melissa Hortman) and 7 graduate students (please see other blogs here.) Our study abroad program has been supported by the Humphrey School, the Institute on the Environment, as well as the Learning Abroad Center.
I arrived in the beautiful city of Marrakech with trepidation, wondering how the U.S. election and President-elect Trump’s stated intentions to walk away from the Paris Agreement would be received. The Paris Agreement was possible in large part due to the active participation of the United States, in particular the bilateral agreements President Obama forged with China and India, for the first time committing the largest emitting countries to significant CO2 reductions. These agreements and the structure of the Paris Agreement, with each country bringing its own self-determined climate action plan or Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the table, created the foundation for a global agreement with virtually every nation participating. How would the world react if the U.S. were to back out of its commitments, would it threaten to unravel the global consensus?
The answer I heard repeatedly in Marrakech was mostly positive but tempered with realism. At COP22 nations, civil society, business leaders and others are more determined than ever to move forward. The most commonly heard words: momentum, urgency, and action.
Inspiration
While the U.S. election was mentioned as a possible obstacle by almost everyone at the COP, many inspiring speakers insisted that global action on climate change is both necessary and inevitable. My highlights start with Bertrand Piccard, about whom the great grandson of Jules Verne has said: “Everything great that has ever been achieved in the world is the result of exaggerated ambitions.”
Piccard conceived and flew the Solar Impulse solar-powered plane around the world, although the aviation industry thought it was impossible to fly that distance without carrying fuel. Piccard said that innovation requires breaking old paradigms. He compared internal combustion engines, leaky homes, and incandescent lightbulbs—which waste roughly half their energy—with our new smart phones. Our energy systems rely on 100 year old technology, and if we break through to new energy innovations, “imagine the market growth, jobs, and wealth creation.” Thus, Piccard suggested, the new President must promote renewable energy in order to “make America great again.” Significantly, Piccard’s innovation for economic growth argument does not even mention climate change. When asked how he flew virtually without sleep for 3 days, Piccard closed with these comments:
“We are prisoners of our habits, our beliefs, our certitudes. As soon as we jump out of our comfort zone, through the magic of adventure, you can learn what you are capable of….When you fly Solar Impulse it’s like science fiction—no fuel, no sound—you are in the future—then you land and you are still in the world that burns millions of barrels of oil a day and that is the hardest part.”
Erik Solheim, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) spoke to the need to keep “fundamental optimism” that we will move forward. Regarding the U.S. election he said “If US decides not to lead, then China will step up and lead the world” on tackling climate change.
Jonathan Pershing, the lead U.S. negotiator, speaking in Marrakech, stressed his belief that the US economic community, business community, state and local government communities, and civil society will continue to move in the direction set by the Paris Agreement. “Heads of state can and will change, but I am confident that we can and we will sustain the durable international effort to counter climate change…Markets are moving and countries are following. Prices for renewable energy are continuing their dramatic fall.”
Outgoing Secretary of State John Kerry made an emotional pitch to COP22 attendees: “Climate change shouldn’t be a partisan issue in the first place. No one has a right to make decisions that affect billions of people based on solely ideology or without proper input….climate change is bigger than one person, bigger than one president.” Kerry asserted that an overwhelming majority of US citizens know climate change is happening and are determined to keep the Paris commitments.
Matt Rodriguez, California Secretary for Environmental Protection, said the federal election is unlikely to affect the trajectory of clean energy and carbon reduction in California, because it has momentum, it is “working,” and it has partners from around the world.
Finally, a welcome boost to momentum came from 300 businesses who signed an open letter to the president-elect this week in support of the Paris Agreement. The business and investor community, including Minnesota companies General Mills, Aveda, and Sheerwind, reaffirmed their “deep commitment to addressing climate change through the implementation of the historic Paris Climate Agreement.” The companies said they “want the US economy to be energy efficient and powered by low-carbon energy….Failure to build a low-carbon economy puts American prosperity at risk. But the right action now will create jobs and boost US competitiveness.”
Reality Check
While the speeches have been inspiring and focused on the positive, participants are not naïve about the repercussions of the U.S. election. Around the COP numerous discussions with informed experts analyzed the different scenarios for U.S. actions on climate—all very uncertain. As the President-elect’s transition team begins its work, it shows a bifurcated approach that is characteristic of the uneasy alliance in the campaign itself. The split is between Trump’s media allies who provided an echo chamber for many of his personal and campaign statements, and the Republican Party leadership “establishment.” It is unclear which camp will be his ultimate influencers.
The new administration has stated its intent to reverse the centerpiece of the U.S. climate plan, the Clean Power Plan. This could come in the form of repealing rules promulgated under the Clean Air Act, defunding the EPA’s clean air program, or an unfavorable Supreme Court decision. In the short term, research shows we are already on track to achieve significant reductions in coal power emissions, and many planned coal plant retirements will likely continue for economic reasons regardless of the rule.
Commentators and participants at the COP2 have a broad range of opinions about how the Trump presidency will affect the Paris Agreement. Some suggest that he is unlikely to follow up on this campaign pledge, and are hopeful that, like many comments he made during the campaign, he may not plan to act on those statements and his position on climate change and the Paris Agreement could “evolve.”
Others think it is likely a “first day issue.” If the new administrative wants to back out of the Paris Agreement, there are several possible pathways, all facing different legal, political, and diplomatic barriers. Perhaps the most straightforward approach is to sign an Executive Order that cancels out President Obama’s ratification of the Paris Agreement. The exit could not take effect until 2020, because it requires three years from entry into force of the Agreement, followed by a one year waiting period.
Another more complex but potentially more permanent approach would be rescind US participation in the UNFCCC which was signed by President HW Bush in 1992 and ratified by the US Senate. If the US were to withdraw, it would require a Senate vote to reinstate.
A third approach would be to simply ignore the Paris Agreement, by not participating in UN COP meetings or negotiations. This would be likely accompanied by defunding or reducing the authority of the key government agencies charged with leading the negotiations and implementation (State Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Energy (DOE)).
Another option would be to ask the U.S. Senate to take a vote on the agreement with the intent to defeat it. However, this could be very unpopular with conservative U.S. Senators who could find it a lose-lose political proposition. If they voted against the global climate agreement, they risk criticism from many of their constituents and targeting by environmental advocates. If they vote for it, they face the threat of a primary challenge from the Tea Party or others in the Republican Party who oppose it.
Trump has sent some signals that this will be an area for early action. However, there seems to be a possible middle path forward. His background and history are focused on negotiating “deals” to achieve his goals. He could give 1-year notice as a negotiating strategy, and then use his leverage to accomplish trade goals, which were a top priority in the campaign. “He seems to be an opportunist, not an ideologue. He takes positions that are expedient to take in any one political moment,” said a Sierra Club top attorney in an interview in Marrakech with E & E (Environment & Energy) news.
Other Republicans have suggested he use the agreement for positive diplomatic ends, to help build stronger alliances with other countries. While the outcome is uncertain, two things seem likely: first, the Trump administration will attempt to weaken or slow efforts to reduce coal plant emissions, which may not overcome the market forces driving more renewable energy, more natural gas, and less coal generation; second, Trump will likely target climate finance obligations and reduce U.S. contributions to less developing countries.
Some experts at the COP have suggested that the Paris Agreement will continue through its implementation phase over the next four years, and the remaining parties could ramp up ambition beyond what the U.S. would have accepted. Then after the next presidential election, a new administration could join again, but with more stringent carbon reduction, finance, and other obligations than the US would have otherwise faced. This could put the U.S. at a disadvantage, as its emissions may rise during the Trump administration, forcing more costly mitigation later. But it could have the additional salutary effect of strengthening the Paris Agreement so it is more likely to meet the ambitious targets limiting warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees.
In the final days of the COP, the draft Marrakech Action Proclamation is taking shape with negotiators. This was intended to be the “COP of Action” but may end up as more of a statement of intent to continue taking action. A recent draft welcomes the rapid entry into force of the Paris Agreement, reiterates the urgency to act on a warming climate, and recognizes the extraordinary momentum this year has seen. The draft recognizes specific needs and special circumstances of least developed countries and those particularly vulnerable to climate change, and calls for the “highest political commitment’ to combat climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve adaptation; additionally it pushes for urgently raising ambition, strengthening cooperation, and increasing the flow of finance.
A final theme of the Morocco draft is a positive call for action and implementation, which will bring opportunities for prosperity. In a nod to the election, it specifically calls on all non-state actors, like U.S. states and cities, to “join us.” As we return to the U.S., at the top of my mind will be two final points: that the U.S risks losing its global influence by standing on the sidelines, and that progress on climate action will be up to states, cities, businesses, universities, and local communities in this power vacuum. As I return home, I will focus on how we can help enable those local, state, and regional efforts to fill that leadership gap.
Wind and solar energy projects could bring 5,000 new jobs to rural Minnesota: Energy Transition Lab report measures the impact of federal and state policies to expand renewable energy

Source: Centre for Alternative Technology. (CC BY 2.0)
Minnesota has undergone a remarkable transformation in its energy landscape over the past decade. Coal, once the dominant fuel source for Minnesota’s electric utilities, has given way to new types of energy resources — wind and solar among them. While Minnesota’s state energy policies have been a large driver in the shift from fossil fuels to renewables, the federal Production Tax Credit and Investment Tax Credit have played a major role in shaping the state’s clean energy economy while keeping rates affordable for utility customers, according to a new report from the Energy Transition Lab.
The report “analyzes real proposed projects, not theoretical ones,” says Ellen Anderson, ETL’s executive director. “Extension of federal policies for wind and solar development are helping Minnesota residents, businesses and schools save on their energy bills and procure locally-produced wind and solar energy,” says Anderson.
Among the report’s highlights:
- The clean energy economy is continuing to expand in Minnesota, providing low-cost energy, creating jobs and economic impact.
- Federal and state policies, especially extension of the Investment Tax Credit and Production Tax Credit, are helping Minnesota see significant new renewable energy projects, jobs, ratepayer savings and economic benefits.
- Modeling shows that planned additions of wind and solar projects in the state will result in approximately $7.09 billion in direct investment, over 5,000 jobs related to construction alone and 3,987 megawatts of newly installed energy capacity.
- Distributed generation of solar energy has almost doubled in the past two years, with businesses citing the ITC as a major driver in their success.
“These projects will not only expand renewable energy in Minnesota, they will create more than 5,000 jobs and over $7 billion in direct economic impact in 18 mostly rural Minnesota counties,” says Anderson.
Minnesota Energy Storage Strategy Workshop

Energy Storage System Photo Credit: Portland General Electric (CC BY-ND 2.0)
DOWNLOAD THE FINAL WORKSHOP REPORT HERE.
In September the Energy Transition Lab convened and hosted an informal Energy Storage Strategy Workshop in partnership with the Energy Foundation and a number of key local and national storage and utility industry leaders. Workshop partner and co-facilitator, Strategen Consulting, provided technical assistance and case studies of storage projects from around the country and is working to analyze specific energy storage use cases in Minnesota.
The goal of the workshop was to identify and prioritize key electric power sector challenges in Minnesota which can potentially be addressed cost-effectively by energy storage. Additionally, the workshop served to inform Minnesota stakeholders about various grid services energy storage can provide such as reliability, peak shaving, efficiency, flexibility, power quality, and renewable energy enhancement.
The workshop was the first of its kind in the nation, bringing together a diverse set of key Minnesota energy ecosystem stakeholders in an informal, small group meeting format to form hypotheses for how energy storage can be locally deployed across electric power sector silos, and to develop methodologies and approaches to evaluate its cost-effectiveness. The Energy Transition Lab and Strategen Consulting envision this informal approach as a potential model that can be expanded to other states looking to evaluate if and how energy storage can be integrated into their electric power sector.
The workshop included several presentations on energy storage which can be accessed below:
- Energy Storage 101 by Edward Burgess and Janice Lin of Strategen Consulting
- Energy Storage 101 PowerPoint
- Minnesota Energy Landscape by Christine Andrews of the Energy Transition Lab
- Minnesota Energy Landscape PowerPoint
- Global Trends in Energy Storage by Lon Huber of Strategen Consulting
- Global Trends In Energy Storage PowerPoint
See the resources below for additional information: