Minnesota Renewable Energy Resources -

Details for Minnesota Renewable Energy Resources

ID:	1655
Author:	jfarkenfur
Title:	Minnesota Renewable Energy Resources
Article:	Back in 2006 the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty, set the state the goal of acquiring 25 percent of energy used there to come from renewable resources by the year 2025. Called the "25/25" initiative, Minnesota claims that this plan is the most aggressive in the nation. It will require a large effort from the energy resource industry, the state's government, and the residents of the state if it is to work. 25/25 begins with conservation of resources; if the state uses less energy overall, it is that much closer to its goal. The state is seeking new resources of electricity from varied sources - biomass, hydroelectricity, hydrogen, geothermal, solar, and wind powers. Owned by companies Minnesota Power, Xcel Energy, and Ottertail Power, hydroelectricity sites exist throughout Minnesota. The most output of any of these is nearly seventy megawatts, by a Minnesota Power site on the St. Louis River. Minnesota is looking into geothermal power as a way to power heating systems throughout the state. The systems would tap into heat resources in the earth's shallow ground soil, and use small amounts of electricity in bringing the heat to the surface and into homes. They work by looping antifreeze or water from the ground to the surface, and therefore carrying the heat upward via plastic pipes. There is also a new system coming out that runs water from utility lines through a geothermal water heater. Since Minnesota is a steady agricultural resource it could also be a key alternative energy player, as far as hydrogen resources are concerned. It's an exciting prospect for the state, since this new industry could encourage economic growth in rural developments, lessen air pollution, and contribute to the nation being less dependent on oil. Hydrogen resources are efficient and pollution-free - they are able to be converted into electricity, heat, and transportation fuel. The element is taken out of resources such as plant biomass, food processing waste, ethanol, manure, and wind, and converted into energy. Experts think that Minnesota could be an especially significant force in hydrogen fuel cell renewable energy. Minnesota had neither coal nor oil, and though they were formerly an unlikely candidate, the state now has an opportunity to be an energy provider. The Minnesota Renewable Hydrogen Initiative has set a goal for Minnesota to become a national leader in renewable hydrogen production as well as use, by the year 2010. Making hydrogen from biomass gasification usually costs twice as much as making it from natural gas, and making hydrogen from wind-powered electrolysis is even more costly. Minnesota advocates of hydrogen plans hope that as these technologies advance, costs will come down. The University of Minnesota's Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment is investing money for such technology, and currently fund research programs for fuel cells, bio-refining, bio-catalysis, and hydrogen production, storage, and transportation. The state of Minnesota established this program with $10 million from their Renewable Development Fund, along with another $10 million from the utility company, Xcel Energy. The University program also hopes to obtain federal funding. About the author of this article: james farkenfur distributes information on water and sewer damage issues for minneapolis minnesota water damage restoration and minneapolis minnesota flood damage cleanup
Category:	Science: Environment
Date:	December 22, 2008 08:03:01 PM

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