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April 22, 2024
Announcements
On-site Energy Storage Incentive Engagement Session April 25 | 10:30 AM?
In the 2023 session, the Legislature established two energy storage grant/incentive programs. These programs will support the adoption of battery storage up to 50kWh paired with solar energy systems. The Minnesota Department of Commerce will administer the program for applicants outside the Xcel Energy electric service area, known as the On-Site Energy Storage Grant program.
Based on input received through a first round of stakeholder and partner engagement, a preliminary program structure is being created and will be uploaded to the Commerce?website?by April 22. Written feedback will be accepted through April 29 and can be sent to [email protected]. A?final stakeholder engagement session will be hosted on April 25 at 10:30am to collect feedback on the draft program design.?Register here. Commerce anticipates launching the program in 2024 with additional details to be shared in May.
The storage program run by Xcel Energy for those in Xcel Territory was approved in March. Xcel Energy?s program filing can be found in Docket number: E002/M-23-459. You can review the?Final Decision on Xcel?s program here. The Xcel Storage Program will launch on August 1, 2024.
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MN Department of Revenue E-Bike Rebate Programs
Minnesota residents can apply to get an e-bike and qualifying accessory rebates of up to 75% or a maximum of $1,500. The on-line application portal is expected to open on June 5, 2024 at 11:00 AM CT. Further information is available on this page, and links to the online application will be added there closer to the opening date. Certificates for rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis in July. Individuals will have two months after certificate issuance to purchase an e-bike from an approved retailer. To be eligible for the rebate, applicants must be: 1) at least 15 years old at the time of application; 2) be a Minnesota resident in the current year and previous year; 3) not have been claimed as a dependent in the previous tax year. There is a total of $2 million available for rebates in 2024 and another $2 million available in 2025.
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MN Department of Management and Budget Federal Funding Tracker ?
To date, Minnesota has received an estimated $9.7 billion dollars from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. To facilitate easier tracking of funding coming to Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget has developed a Federal Funding Opportunity Tracker. In addition to tracking awards made to Minnesota entities, the tracker can also be used to find federal funding opportunities under IIJA, IRA and CHIPS and Science Acts. ?
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Commerce/DOE Clean Energy Fellow
Minnesota Department of Commerce was awarded a DOE Clean Energy Innovator Fellow as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Fellowship Program. We are seeking candidates for this opportunity to work on Advancing Clean Energy: Exploring Energy Storage Solutions for Grid Modernization. The Fellow will support our project aimed at exploring the role of energy storage in the clean energy transition.?Learn more about CEIF and submit your application by May 3: https://lnkd.in/ghtYm5zd.
Energy-related Funding Awards to Minnesota Entities
Read on to learn more about the most recent innovative Minnesota energy projects (listed by Funding Opportunity Program), and the funding they have been awarded.? Congratulations to all the recipients!
EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund- Solar for All
The EPA has announced?60 selections under the $7 billion Solar for All program will fund programs nationwide to enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from residential distributed solar.?
Minnesota Department of Commerce - will receive $62,450,000 to support residential-serving solar for low-income and disadvantaged households in communities across Minnesota.??
Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association, Inc and Coalition - will receive $62,330,000 to deploy Tribally owned residential solar, along with storage and necessary upgrades, for the benefit of the 35 Tribes located in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.?
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EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund ?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $20 billion in funding for clean energy financing under two new programs: the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA). ?The $14 billion in funding for NCIF will be split among three non-profit entity selectees, with five non-profit entities selected for funding in the CCIA program. Together, the selectees under the NCIF and CCIA programs will build out a national network of community-led financial institutions to finance climate and clean energy projects, with priority given to financing for projects benefitting low-income and disadvantaged communities.
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Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) ? awarded $5 billion, under which Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MnCIFA) will receive a sub-award. CGC is a non-profit organization that creates national, regional and local green banks to finance clean energy projects in partnership with the private sector. At least 50% of the award to CGC will be focused on low-income and Disadvantaged Community (DAC) projects. The newly created MnCIFA will receive a sub-award from CGC, which will add to the $45 million in state funding approved by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 and allocated to MnCIFA to finance low income and DAC clean energy projects in Minnesota.
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Industrial Demonstrations Program Selection
The DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations has announced awards for the Industrial Demonstrations Program, including:
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Kraft Heinz ? New Ulm, Minnesota ? awarded up to $170.9 million (along with other plants in additional states) for the project: Delicious Decarbonization Through Integrated Electrification and Energy Storage ? plans include upgrading, electrifying, and decarbonizing process heating at 10 facilities via the use of heat pumps, electric heaters and boilers in combination with biogas boilers, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, and thermal energy storage.
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BIL Battery Recycling, Reprocessing, and Battery Collection
DOE has announced the selection of awardees for this funding opportunity to increase consumer participation in battery recycling, improve the economics of consumer battery recycling, and help establish State and local battery collection programs.
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Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St Paul ? Awarded $1,250,000 for increasing Safe Collection of Batteries at County and Tribal Battery Collection Sites. Project partners include: Recharge Labs, Field Guide, Upstream Exhibits, STEM Educational Insights, Repowered.
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Macalester College, St Paul ? Awarded $1,770,043 for The CollectED Project to expand consumer participation in electronic battery recycling. Partners include: Recharge Labs, Field Guide, Upstream Exhibits, STEM Educational Insights, Repowered.
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Energy Future Grants Announced - 4 Minnesota governments awarded:
The U.S. Department of Energy announced the Energy Futures Grant Program awards of $27 million in financial and technical assistance awarded to 31 Local Governments, 7 States, and 2 Tribes along with 253 subrecipients.? Energy Future Grants provides financial and technical assistance to support multijurisdictional partnership efforts to advance innovative clean energy programs enhancing energy affordability, access, and opportunities for communities.?
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State of Minnesota ? Minnesota Department of Health ? Creating a Community-Led Energy Future - $498,600?
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City of Saint Paul ? Minnesota Remodel/Unburden - $500,000?
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City of Duluth ? Justice40 Community-LEAPing Forward: Accelerated Planning for Commercial Building and Industrial Decarbonization - $500,000?
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Hennepin County ? Fully Charged: Advancing Equity through Transportation Electrification $500,000?
Community Energy Innovation Prize Winners for the Clean Energy Ecosystem and Manufacturing Ecosystem Tracks
?DOE?s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has announced that 23 teams have won the concept phase of the American-Made Community Energy Innovation Prize in the Clean Energy Ecosystem and Manufacturing Ecosystem Tracks. Each team has been awarded $100,000 in prize money and will receive in-kind mentorship and support throughout the next prize phases. The Community Energy Innovation Prize supports capacity building, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development related to clean energy and climate for disadvantaged communities. These teams will move on to the Progress Phase of the Prize, implement their projects and be eligible for an additional $100,000. ?Minnesota winners include the following Clean Energy Ecosystem Track projects:
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East Phillips Neighborhood Institute and Cooperative Energy Futures (Minneapolis) to develop community-owned solar array on a former superfund site.
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Convivencia Hispana Energy Navigators (St. James, Minnesota) to develop a community energy navigator program providing free energy audits to Latino residents.
Recent and Expected Federal Funding Activity
The federal government issues a variety of announcements related to federal funding opportunities: Requests for Information (RFI), Notices of Intent (NOI) and energy Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA). More information can be found on the Commerce Federal Funding Opportunities?web page or by clicking the links below.
To facilitate a quick review of this newsletter, the subject matter of included items is previewed here; full details can be found in the body of the newsletter.
Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA), Administrative and Legal Requirements Document (ALRD), Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Requests for Applications (RFA)
- FY 2024 Vehicle Technologies Office Research & Development
- MACRO: Mixed Algae Conversion Research Opportunity
- Concentrating Solar Flux to Heat and Power
Notice of Intent
- Water Power Innovation Network
Tribal Governments Funding Opportunities (FOA)
- Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands ? 2024 ? Increased Funding
- Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program
Guidance on IRA Tax Credit Programs
- Direct (Elective) Pay Final Rules Released
- IRS Office Hours: Elective Pay and Transferability of Clean Energy Credits
- Congressional Progressive Caucus Center Direct Pay Biweekly Office Hours
Prizes/Awards
Student Scholarships/Competitions/Fellowships
- Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration
- Tribal Clean Energy Innovator Fellow
- 2025 Collegiate Wind Competition
- 2025 Hydropower and Marine Energy Collegiate Competitions
Technical Assistance
- Peer-Learning Cohort on Implementing an Agrivoltaics Project
- Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) Program: In-Depth Partnerships
Webinars
- The Future of Energy Justice
- Breaking Ground on the Future of Tribal Energy Financing and Rebates
- Battery Storage for Fossil-Fueled Peaker Power Plant Replacement: A Maine Case Study
Workshops, Meetings, Conferences
- 2024 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting
Publications/Videos/Webpages
- DOE Blueprint to Decarbonize America?s Building Sector
- Renewable Energy Discovery (REDi) Island Videos
- Wind Resource Database
- Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Playbook
- Inflation Reduction Act Pocket Guides
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Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA)
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FY 2024 Vehicle Technologies Office Research & Development
- DE-FOA-0003248
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Deadlines: Concept Paper: May 2, 2024 | Application: June 24, 2024
DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) on behalf of the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) is providing $45.8 million in funding for research, development, demonstration, and deployment critical to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. DOE seeks research projects in the following Areas of Interest:
* Next Generation Phosphate-Based Cathodes
* Na-ion Battery Seedling Projects for Electric Vehicle Applications
* Low GHG Concepts for Off-Road Vehicles
* Saving Energy with Connectivity
* Domestically Produced E-Steels
* Cybersecurity for Smart and Secure Electric Vehicle Charging
This funding is aligned with strategies detailed in the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization.
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MACRO: Mixed Algae Conversion Research Opportunity
- DE-FOA-0003274
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Deadlines: Concept Paper: May 10, 2024 | Application: June 27, 2024
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Webinar: April 17, 2024 | 12:00 PM CT | Register
The DOE?s Bioenergy Technologies Office and Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management have announced an $18.8 million FOA focused on research and development in converting algae and wet waste feedstocks to biofuels and bioproducts. To support the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge and other low carbon bioproducts, the DOE is seeking projects in two Topic Areas:
??????????????? Topic Area 1: Conversion of Seaweeds to Low Carbon Fuels and Bioproducts
??????????????? Topic Area 2: Conversion of Algal Biomass for Low Carbon Agriculture Biproducts?
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Concentrating Solar Flux to Heat and Power
- DE-FOA-0003269
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Deadlines: Concept Paper: May 16, 2024 | Application: August 8, 2024
DOE?s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Solar Energy Technologies Office will fund research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities to help decarbonize the energy system and high-temperature industrial processes through advancement in concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) technologies, including solar collectors, supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles, and high-temperature solar receivers and reactors. Topic Areas for this FOA include:
* Scalable Concentrating Solar Collectors
* Scalable Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (sCO2) Turbomachinery
* Scalable Concentrating Solar-Thermal Receivers and Reactors
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Notice of Intent (NOI)
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Water Power Innovation Network
DOE?s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, on behalf of the Water Power Technologies Office intends to release a FOA that will support entrepreneurship and accelerate water power innovation, business creation, collaboration, and expand incubators and accelerators in water power. This FOA will have approximately $5 million in cooperative agreement funding for the anticipated Topic Area: Water Power Incubation and Acceleration.
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Tribal Governments Funding Opportunities (FOA)?
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Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands ? 2024 ? Increased Funding
The DOE?s Office of Indian Energy has modified this FOA by increasing the amount of federal funds available from $25 million to $50 million, doubling the number of awards anticipated in this program. The funding opportunity has a 20% cost share requirement; projects submitted to this program should reduce or stabilize energy costs, increase energy security and resilience, and provide electricity to unelectrified tribal buildings. Four topics areas are offered: 1) Clean Energy Generating Systems and/or Energy Efficiency Measures for Tribal Buildings; 2) Community-Scale Clean Energy Generating Systems or Energy Storage; 3) Integrated Energy Systems for Autonomous Operation; 4) Powering Unelectrified Tribal Buildings.
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Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program (HEAR)
The DOE has issued new and revised resources for Tribes to apply for HEAR funding, including a Tribal Budget Justification Workbook for applicants to assist with budgeting funds across the applicable number of funding tranches outlined in the Administrative and Legal Requirements.
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Guidance on IRA Tax Credit Programs
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Direct (Elective) Pay Final Rules Released
The U.S. Treasury and IRS has released final rules on direct pay (also known as elective pay) which allows state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as non-profit organizations and other entities take advantage of clean energy tax credits. New Direct Pay resources include:
Elective Pay Overview, Publication 5817
Rural Electric Cooperatives, Publication 5817-A
Tax-Exempt Organizations, Publication 5817-D
State and Local Government, Publication 5817-E
Indian Tribal Governments, Publication 5817-F
Clean Energy Tax Incentives: Elective Pay Eligible Tax Credits, Publication 5817-G
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IRS Office Hours: Elective Pay and Transferability of Clean Energy Credits
The IRS is offering office hours via Microsoft Teams to help entities with the pre-filing registration process on the new IRA/CHIPS Pre-filing Registration Tool. Pre-filing is a required step in order to take advantage of elective payments or transfer of credits under the IRA and CHIPS Act.
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Prizes/Awards
The DOE has launched the third and final phase of the Lighting Prize, designed to encourage innovation for next-generation lighting in commercial buildings. The third phase of Manufacturing and Installation (M&I) will award up to 4 winners ($10 M prize pool) in the production and installation of real products meeting the L-Prize technical requirements. Evaluation for the M&I Phase includes U.S. Manufacturing content, installation, and deployment strategy. Participation in Phases One and Two is not required to participate in Phase 3.
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Scholarships/Student Competitions/Fellowships
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Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration
DOE?s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management invites graduate students and early career professionals who are interested in carbon capture, utilization, and storage to apply for the 2024 Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration program. The Program will incorporate site tours at a power plant, coal mine, carbon capture facility, direct air capture facility, and injection wellhead, and include geology field exercises, live lectures, discussion sessions, and group projects.
To apply, applicants should be graduate students or early career professionals with backgrounds in geology, chemistry, engineering, natural sciences, hydrology, physics, business, communications, or related fields. Enrollment is limited to 32 participants and is tuition free.?A travel stipend is available for students.
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Tribal Clean Energy Innovator Fellow
The DOE Tribal Clean Energy Fellows will work with a Tribal Host institution for up to two years. The program is recruiting recent graduates of bachelor?s, master?s, doctoral degree programs, or midcareer professionals to support clean energy and decarbonizing solutions. ?An allowance for professional development costs is included in the program.
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2025 Collegiate Wind Competition
DOE?s Wind Energy Technology Office has launched the 2025 Collegiate Wind Competition to assist multi-disciplinary teams of undergraduate students to prepare for careers in wind and renewable energy.
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2025 Hydropower and Marine Energy Collegiate Competitions
DOE?s Water Power Technologies Office has created these two collegiate competitions to develop the untapped potential of hydropower and marine energy, to provide hands-on education, and to develop a new generation of skilled workers interested in clean energy. Teams must be comprised of at least 50% post-secondary and/or undergraduate students and can include colleges, universities, community colleges, and trade schools.
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Technical Assistance
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Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) Program: In-Depth Partnerships
DOE?s National Renewable Energy Laboratory is requesting new proposals from communities for support in developing customized, actionable decarbonization strategies. Teams made-up of a local government, electric utility, and community-based organizations can apply for a multi-year partnership with experts from DOE?s national laboratories. Funding is up to $500,000 per award with technical assistance up to $3.5 million per award; 2-4 awards are expected.? In-Depth Partnership applications should focus on key challenges that address multiple sectors, including the renewable energy, mobility, grid reliability and resilience, and the buildings sector.
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Peer-Learning Cohort on Implementing an Agrivoltaics Project
Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) offers peer-learning cohorts to advance local clean energy goals. Cohorts are funded by the DOE, managed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory with support from the World Resources Institute. Cohorts meet for approximately 6 months to share best practices, learn collaboratively, and develop action plans on a clean energy topic. Beginning in July, the Agrivoltaics cohort will support nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and Tribal governments which have a focus on food security, food deserts, or clean energy, in developing successful agrivoltaics projects.
Additional cohorts are also beginning on electrifying municipal fleet vehicles and energy efficiency programs for residential buildings (see Further Information link above).
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Webinars
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The Future of Energy Justice
Yale?s Center for Business and the Environment and the Center for Environmental Justice will present topics relating to energy justice in the areas of policy regulation, community advocacy, legal implications, health implications and private sector innovation.
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Breaking Ground on the Future of Tribal Energy Financing and Rebates
The DOE?s Office of Indian Energy presents this webinar on novel financing opportunities including the Tribal Energy Financing Program and the Buy Indian Act. Updates will also be provided on the Tribal Home Electrification and Appliances Rebate Program.
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Battery Storage for Fossil-Fueled Peaker Power Plant Replacement: A Maine Case Study
A new analysis, conducted by Strategen for the Clean Energy States Alliance, demonstrates that batteries can be cost effective when replacing aging fossil-fueled peaker power plants. The report, while focused on Maine plants, will help inform peaker replacement initiatives in other regions.
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Workshops/Meetings/Conferences
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2024 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR)
Hosted by DOE?s Hydrogen Program, the AMR will present a review of hydrogen and fuel cell projects funded by DOE, and review projects and programs for their merit. Representatives of the 7 Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs announced in October will provide project updates. Speakers and panelists will discuss clean hydrogen priorities and research, the national clean hydrogen strategy, Hydrogen Shot to Hydrogen Hubs, and perspectives on environmental justice and equity.
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Publications/Videos/Webpages
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DOE Blueprint to Decarbonize America?s Building Sector
?Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy by 2050: A National Blueprint for the Building Sector is a DOE blueprint to removing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector. Residential and commercial buildings are responsible for 30% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This document provides goals and strategic objectives, as well as federal action and implementations for reducing GHG emissions.
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Renewable Energy Discovery (REDi) Island Videos
Teachers can use these videos to support curriculum on climate change, renewable energy and related topics. REDi Island is part of DOE?s National Renewable Energy Laboratory?s water power outreach and education to support workforce in hydropower and advance marine energy. REDi Island provides information on topics such as farmers growing food with energy generated by river currents, cities that run on hydropower, and ocean waves that purify water.
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DOE?s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has introduced the Wind Resource Database, an online platform that provides access to data on the atmospheric forces that affect wind turbine performance, inform wind power plant development, and increase energy capture. This resource offers a collection of modeled wind resource estimates for the United States for periods over 20 years.
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Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Playbook
The DOE Joint Office of Energy and Transportation encourages communities and local decision makers to use this Playbook to navigate key considerations and drive local progress in EV infrastructure through videos, worksheets, and additional resources.
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Inflation Reduction Act Pocket Guides
The USDA has developed Inflation Reduction Act pocket guides to help potential applicants navigate funding opportunities for clean energy programs. There are two guides: one sorts programs by eligible uses and the other by eligible applicant groups.
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Energy-specific funding opportunities, Commerce is here for you
The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks to work with and facilitate connections with local and Tribal governments, utilities, businesses, communities and other entities interested in energy-related partnerships. The opportunities outlined here are funded by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and other federal and state energy programs. Interested in partnering with Commerce on funding opportunities or have questions? Stay updated by clicking subscribe below and e-mail us at?[email protected].
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