Improving the energy efficiency of your home is a win-win-win. It makes your living space more comfortable, saves you money, and is good for the environment. Leading analysis shows that energy efficiency can significantly reduce energy use and is a critical tool for reaching emissions reduction targets. In the US, the residential and commercial sectors account for about 30 percent of energy use (which represents almost all of energy use in buildings), with the residential sector accounting for about 16 percent of that total. Continue reading »
Q&A: Update on Where Things Stand on Standby Rates for Combined Heat and Power
August 8, 2019 in Efficiency, Reports & Whitepapers Author: Lola Schoenrich
Combined heat and power (CHP) projects can deliver significant benefits to the energy system, industries, and utilities and their customers. These benefits include increased energy efficiency, lower emissions, greater system reliability and resilience, and financial savings. Continue reading »
Energy Data Protocol Developed by Minnesota Utility Energy Registry Project
May 7, 2019 in Communities Author: Lola Schoenrich
Access to utility energy data will play a critical role in the level of success communities achieve in shaping their energy future. That’s why the Great Plains Institute, with our partners and other stakeholders, identified opportunities to improve availability of electric utility data at the community-level and developed a data protocol as a resource for communities. Continue reading »
I’m excited to welcome Jessi Wyatt to the Great Plains Institute team as an associate energy planner and analyst. In her role, Jessi will provide technical and analytical support to a variety of projects and programs with a focus on local energy and climate action planning and geospatial analysis. Jessi will also assist with carbon capture and storage modeling and with strategic mapping for policy initiatives, including transportation electrification. Continue reading »
GPI Welcomes Jenna Greene to Communities Program
October 28, 2018 in Communities Author: Lola Schoenrich
I am excited to welcome Jenna Greene to GPI’s Communities Program. Jenna joins us as a program assistant working on GPI’s efforts to expand solar deployment, increase energy efficiency and solar deployment opportunities for small businesses, and support community energy and climate planning. Continue reading »
New Energy Data Project in Minnesota Will be Part of a Multi-State Utility Energy Registry Effort
January 26, 2018 in Communities Author: Lola Schoenrich
*This blog was updated with video from a January 26 webinar to introduce the project (scroll to bottom for video)*
An increasing number of communities in Minnesota are developing clean energy, climate, and resilience goals and launching projects to meet them. These projects include public building energy efficiency, new and more efficient street lighting, solar projects, PACE financing, and many other community-wide initiatives. Continue reading »
Leaders Gather in Saint Paul to Discuss “Solutions from the Ground Up”
October 26, 2017 in Communities Author: Lola Schoenrich
Last month, leaders from local governments, businesses, and other organizations came together at GPI’s third annual Energy Innovation Celebration to discuss energy and climate “Solutions from the Ground Up.” Continue reading »
GreenStep Cities Evaluation Finds Excellent Value to Cities and Program Partners
February 8, 2017 in Carbon Management Author: Lola Schoenrich
GreenStep Cities, a voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program in Minnesota that helps cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals, periodically gathers feedback from the cities and tribal nations it works with. A recently completed GreenStep Cities evaluation found that the program delivers real value to both participating cities and to the public and private program partners. Continue reading »
The Midwestern Combined Heat and Power Opportunity
February 25, 2013 in Efficiency Author: Lola Schoenrich
In August of 2012 President Obama issued an Executive Order on Industrial Energy Efficiency and Combined Heat and Power. The Executive Order sets a goal of adding 40 GW of new CHP by 2020, raising the nation’s CHP capacity by 50%. Why would we do that? What is CHP anyway? Continue reading »
