News and Events
Get the latest in wind energy news and plan your calendar to attend wind events nationwide!
Windustry Newsletter
The Windustry E-newsletter brings a monthly digest of current wind energy news and information to your Inbox. Sign up for our free E-newsletter! You are also welcome to review past newsletters to see what you may have missed.
Windustry News
We track important news and information in the wind energy industry, especially as it relates to Community Wind. Read highlights, summaries, and find the latest resources in our Windustry News section.
Windustry Blog
The Windustry Blog offers insights to Community Wind, updating you on the ideas and issues that matter along with trends in reweable energy.
Events
See what's happening in your region in the wind industry on our Events Calendar, focusing on Community Wind meetings, workshops, classes, conferences, and special events. To submit an event for inclusion on our calendar, please email us. We reserve the right to only post those events we feel are of interest to our constituents.
Wind Energy Center
The Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair
Windustry organizes a dynamic, interactive Wind Energy Center for The Eco Experience each year at the Minnesota State Fair. From the towering 123-foot turbine blade outside The Eco Experience building to a commercial turbine section inside the hall, Windustry and our volunteers guide some 350,000 visitors through the exciting world of wind energy as both a source of clean, renewable energy and rural economic development. We could not do this wonderful event without our partners! For information on how to become a Partner of the 2010 Wind Energy Center, contact Samantha Smart, Development Coordinator at 612-870-3474 or samantha@windustry.org.
Windustry Conferences
Windustry is proud to host the premier Community Wind Conference nationwide. Learn more about our biannual conferences.
News
And now for the news...
Windustry Email Newsletter - September 2008
Featured in this issue:
- The Wind Energy Center at the 2008 Minnesota State Fair a success!
- Announcement of RE-Fest in Austin MN, on Sept. 20, 2008
- Windustry's Lisa Daniels featured in a podcast
- Windustry staff tour Grand Meadows Wind Farm
Wind energy technician training program announced in New England
The Northern Maine Community College has announced approval of a wind power technology program on its campus. The program is designed to train wind power technicians to operate, maintain and repair wind turbine generators.
Windustry at the 2008 Minnesota State Fair
Thank you to all of our partners and volunteers for making the Wind Energy Center at the Minnesota State Fair a great success! Some highlights from 2008:
- Trying out different careers in the wind energy industry.
- Climbing inside a replica turbine tower section and seeing a video of what it's like to be inside a real wind turbine.
- Getting your wind energy questions answered by an expert.
- Pickicking up a wind energy bookmark to take home.
- Experimenting with blade design and participating in other fun activities in the Renewable Energy Kid's Corral.
- Learning about home- and farm-scale wind turbines.
2008 Partners
We couldn't do it without our partners! Thank you to everyone who helped us bring the Wind Energy Center to hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans in 2008!
Vanguard Partner
Gold Partner
Silver Partners
Bronze Partners
Rural Energy Development Initiative
Winkelman's Environmentally Responsible Construction
Partners
Jeffrey C. Paulson and Associates, Ltd.
Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith and & Frederick PA
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Volunteers and Visitors
We had over 100 volunteers and more than 350,000 visitors during the twelve days of the fair. Stay tuned for next year's opportunities and in the meanwhile, enjoy some photos!
USDA Seeks Input on Climate Change Research, Education and Outreach Priorities
The United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") is seeking comments from the public on its proposed strategic goals and planning priorities for climate change research, education and outreach programs.
Windustry Email Newsletter - July 2008
Featured in this issue:
- Bill Introduced to Encourage Renewable Energy Development
- Call for Wind Energy Center Volunteers
- Women of Wind Energy Continues to Soar
- Check out the Windustry Blog
New energy grant could help jump start rural Kansas in renewable energy and energy efficiency
As Ray Hammarlund, director of energy programs at the KCC, explained to CEP, the grant money will be used to help rural Kansas entities apply for existing federal funds to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The focus will be applying for CREBS and 9006 grants.
Phase I of Minnesota Dispersed Renewable Generation study available
The passage of the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 by the Minnesota State Legislature and Tim Pawlenty requires a study of the potential for dispersed renewable generation statewide. The study consists of two parts, Phase I and Phase II, which focus on installing a total of 1200MW of new dispersed renewable energy projects with a minimal impact on the transmission grid.
Xcel Energy RFP for C-BED projects now available
On June 17, Xcel Energy (through Northern States Power) released their 2008 request for proposal (RFP) for Community Based Energy Development (C-BED) projects.
Here's what it says on the Xcel Energy website: "As a part of Xcel Energy’s Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) program, Xcel Energy is soliciting proposals for Community Based Wind Projects. In 2005, the Minnesota Legislature directed that each utility establish a tariff for the purchase of C-BED wind energy. The purpose of the tariff is to encourage and promote broader local participation in wind energy development.
Beginning June 17, 2008, Xcel Energy will be accepting proposals for new Minnesota wind generation resources to be in commercial operation by Dec. 31, 2009. Xcel Energy will seek approvals for any resulting Renewable Energy Purchase Agreements from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The submission deadline is July 11, 2008."
Click here to go to the Xcel Energy website and download a complete copy of the 2008 RFP.
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