The Minnesota Energy Storage Alliance (MESA)
About the Minnesota Energy Storage Alliance (MESA)
The Minnesota Energy Storage Alliance (MESA) was formed by interested volunteer stakeholders, based on the shared view that our state and region will be a strong market for energy storage. We aspire to be a Midwest forum to share knowledge; connect industry, utilities, researchers, policymakers, regulators, experts, and clean energy advocates; and advance smart policies to support energy storage. MESA is convened by the University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab with support from the McKnight Foundation.
Our Mission
To lead in accelerating the development of energy storage in Minnesota and the Midwest Region. Click Here to Read More About Our Vision and Principles.
What We Do
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Organize and host the annual Energy Storage Summit. Learn more about the Summit here.
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Monitor and comment on energy storage-related activities at the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the U.S. Department of Energy. See our comments here.
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Provide expert information and recommendations to Minnesota regulators and policymakers. See our comments here.
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Leverage our expert membership to provide thought leadership in many forums. Click Here to learn more about becoming a member today
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Support energy storage research, industry, and economic development.
Our Structure
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee represents a broad cross-section of energy stakeholders and experts. Current members include:
Ellen Anderson, Convenor Massoud Amin, U of MN
Holly Lahd, Fresh Energy Christine Andrews, Attorney
Hari Osofsky, U of MN Laureen Ross McKalib, Great River Energy
Ralph Jacobson, IPS Solar Brent Bergland, Mortenson Construction
Bria Shea, Xcel Energy Lise Trudeau, MN Department of Commerce
W. John Frederick, Energy Consultant Matt Prorok, Great Plains Institute
Phyllis Reha, Par Energy Solutions Beth Soholt, Wind on the Wires
Jenny Edwards, Center for Energy and Environment (CEE)
John Kearney, MN Solar Energy Industry Association (MNSEIA)
Rao Konidena, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
Committees
- Policy & Markets Barriers and Solutions Committee, focuses on overall energy storage legal, regulatory, policy, and market issues.
- State Policy Sub-Committee focuses on the Public Utilities Commission and State Legislature.
- Regional Markets Sub-Committee, focuses on MISO rules and wholesale market policies.
- Committees in Formation: Knowledge Sharing and Outreach Committee, Industry & Research Development Committee
Funding
Minnesota Energy Storage Alliance (MESA) funding is provided by the McKnight Foundation and the Energy Transition Lab. The Energy Transition Lab (ETL) is funded by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the Law School, as well as by grants from the McKnight Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. ETL is actively seeking additional funding to support MESA’s work.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Energy Storage Summit and to our excellent speakers!
Florida International University’s solar thermal collector system. Photo Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon
The Energy Storage Summit hosted by the Energy Transition Lab on July 15th at the University of Minnesota Law School, featured a blend of presentations by national and local energy storage experts on topics related to the policy, regulatory and market drivers affecting energy storage in Minnesota. Summit participants from a variety of sectors convened to network and participate in a high level discussion about the future of energy storage in the state. The full agenda including presentations for the event can be seen below. Click here to view a list of presenters for the energy storage summit.
Local Energy Security in Transition
Dr. Osofsky at the MEPC Making Connections Summit. Photo Credit: MPEC 2015 Energy Summit by Great Planes Institute CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
This month Dr. Hari Osofsky, the Energy Transition Lab’s Faculty Director presented the keynote address at the Metropolitan Energy Policy Coalition’s Energy Summit held held in St. Paul. Read more →
Ten things we learned about the energy transition
Energy Transition Lab executive director Ellen Anderson and Energy Transition Lab faculty director Hari Osofsky explored the “Top 10″ key areas of energy transition and the Energy Transition Lab’s role in them. This story originally appeared on the Institute on the Environment blog.
Written by: Anya Moucha
