Minnesota Energy Center
MN Renewable Energy Roundtable
October 24, 2013
Bruce Peterson
Director
320-308-6639
bpeterson@sctcc.edu
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The Minnesota Energy Center was established in 2013 to support energy-related
programs in the State to meet current and future workforce needs
Minnesota West
Community and
Technical College
Bruce Peterson
Director
St. Cloud Technical and
Community College
Fiscal Lead
Minnesota
Energy
Consortium
MnEC
Leadership
Team
MnEC
Partner
Institutions
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2013 accomplishments to date…
• Improve connections for businesses to communicate their need for
prepared college and university graduates;
• MN Energy Consortium Strategic Planning
• Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund
• Coordinate business and higher education collaboration to support
educational opportunities for K-12 students to learn more about
industry;
• 2014 Concurrent enrollment project
• Assess and develop industry (career) pathways to increase student
program completion and program efficiencies; and,
• Energy Technical Specialist consortium degree
• Revise curriculum and programs to address the occupational-specific
and non-technical
• MnSCU Institution survey
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As we look forward to the year ahead, our priorities have been identified
Minnesota Energy
Consortium (MEC)
Minnesota Energy
Center (MnEC)
Improving the pipeline for
technical experts to teach energy
curricula
Kyle Ault, ALLETE
Provide support to the MEC
Qualified workforce
Peter Wasburg, Ottertail Power
Andy Zieglmeier, SCTCC
Analysis of ETS curriculum
Career awareness and creating a
diverse pipeline
Malinda Mehrhoff, Dakota
Electric Assoc.
Nancy Juntunen, Great River
Energy
K-12 career awareness and
outreach
Assessment of MnSCU programs
and resource
Creation of resource website
Initiate the Xcel Energy RDF grant
program
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To recap highlights of the Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund opportunity
• Proposals were considered for various-sized projects in three
categories:
• Energy Production,
• Research and Development which
includes a new initiative for renewable
electric energy delivery projects, and
• Research Funding for Minnesota higher
education institutions*
$30 million
$10 million
• MnEC submitted a block grant application for $5.5 million
• Anoka-Ramsey Community College submitted a R&D
application for $828,900: Research Coordinated Solar PV
Demonstration Project
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*Change in RDF based on 2012 Legislation (S.F. 2181)
Thank you for everyone’s patience
RFP Phase
Initial WebEx
with Xcel Energy
7/16/12
Xcel Energy
filed intent
with MPUC
11/29/12
RFP
released
2/15/13
Proposals
due
4/1/13
2nd public
comment
deadline
10/11/13
3rd public
comment
deadline
12/12/13
Evaluation & Public Comment Phase
Recommendations
submitted to
MPUC
7/29/13
1st public
comment
deadline
9/27/13
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The good news is that we made the cut!
• The RDF advisory group strongly supported providing a $4.5 million
block grant for the MnSCU proposal. The RDF advisory group believes
the proposal has the potential for the development of a coordinated and
well-managed program to solicit research projects that are relevant to
Minnesota and also the ability to have the research incorporated into a
jobs training program. The statewide aspect is very attractive and the
proposal anticipates beneficial partnerships/linkages between
academics, industry, agriculture, existing workforce specialists, students
currently enrolled in workforce training programs, and local community
stakeholders. The program also allows researchers at smaller campuses
to compete for funds.
• Although the RDF advisory group recommended a $4.5 million block
grant award to MnSCU, the Company is proposing Commission approval
of MnSCU’s request for $5.5 million. The RDF advisory group and the
Company are proposing RDF grants awards for EP and R&D projects in
the full amount requested by the applicants, and propose to do the same
for MnSCU. The Company believes MnSCU’s proposal is exemplary and
their grant request should also be fully funded. If the Commission
approves a grant award for MnSCU, we will then enter into a RDF grant
contract with the institution and submit it to the Department of
Commerce for review and approval.
Source: Xcel Energy RDF Selection Report
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In addition the Anoka-Ramsey project also made the cut!
Project Goal: To demonstrate three types of solar energy deployment
which will be a living, hands-on laboratory for research and skills
development.
Project Description: ARCC will be installing two photovoltaic (PV)
arrays, a unique ground-mount array and a roof-mounted array on its
Training Center, as well as a solar electric vehicle (EV) charging station
that is integrated with a carport outside its main administrative
building. The solar arrays and the EV charging station will be
monitored for performance data and will also be hands-on
laboratories integrated with solar energy related coursework and
energy research activities at ARCC.
Installed Capacity: 458.38 kW
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Contact: Jon Olson, jon.olson@anokaramsey.edu
Source: Xcel Energy RDF Selection Report
We anticipate the next steps for the MnSCU block grant are:
Activity
Deadline
MPUC issues decisions selection report
January 2014
Info WebEx open to all MnSCU
Mid-January 2014
MnSCU Block Grant team reassembles
Mid-January 2014
Grant Contract Negotiation Complete
February 15, 2014
MnSCU First Round sub grant RFP issued
March 1-April 30, 2014
(call for proposals – award)
MnSCU Second Round sub grant RFP issued
July 1-August 31, 2014
(call for proposals – award)
Grant ends
Q4, 2016
Goal is to fund up to 14 projects with a maximum request of $275,000 (+ 15%
indirect costs)
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Next steps for the Minnesota Energy Center
• MnEC Partnership Agreement
finalized and signed
• MnEC Leadership team finalized
• MnEC committees and project teams
identified and activities begin
• Xcel Energy RDF grant program
begins
To follow the RDF activity:
www.puc.state.mn.us, select “Search eDockets”
Enter the year (12) and the docket number (1278)
Contact Bruce
Contact Jaime
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Contact Information
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•
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•
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Bruce Peterson
Executive Dean for Academic Initiatives
St Cloud Technical and Community College
320-308-6639
bpeterson@sctcc.edu