At the end of 2007, Minnesota had installed 2,199 megawatts of wind energy. That makes us third in the nation, surpassed only by Texas and California. That's only the beginning.
The "Next Generation" energy bill of 2007 requires Minnesota electric utilities to generate at least 10 percent of energy from renewable resources by 2015, and 25 percent by 2025. The bill requires Xcel Energy, which supplies approximately half of the electricity in the state, to provide 30 percent from renewable sources by 2020. The Federal energy bill of 2007 included the "Green Jobs Act," with a total of $125 million in funding for job training, retraining and renewable energy research.
Wind power is here
According to Jan Hubbard of the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES), wind energy is the renewable technology that currently delivers the greatest economic and environmental promise. The cost of wind-generated electricity is now close to and can be lower than costs from sources like coal and nuclear power.
Minnesota's technical colleges are already beginning to provide the training needed for wind energy jobs. For example, Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Canby offers a "Windsmith" certificate that prepares workers to handle installation, repair and troubleshooting of wind energy towers.
Wind power has the potential for bringing good jobs to Minnesota's rural areas. That's good news for workers who want to combine their interest in technology with small-town living.
Solar power is coming
In urban areas, Hubbard notes, photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal power has more potential. Current estimates are that the cost of PV-generated electricity will be equal to conventional methods by 2015. Government incentives could reduce that timeframe. The U.S. Department of Energy has named Minneapolis and St. Paul "Solar Cities," with a $200,000 grant for planning "mainstream solar" in the coming decade. According to Hubbard, PV and Solar Thermal training programs will be offered at Century College in White Bear Lake, beginning with the 2009 school year.
Now is the time for engineers and technicians to start gaining knowledge and skills in renewable energy, Hubbard says. MRES recently offered a course in Solar Thermal Design and Installation for Master or Journeyman plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC contractors and Solar Energy installers in four locations throughout Minnesota. The classes were well attended, Hubbard said, and more Solar Thermal and PV classes will be scheduled by MRES this year.
For more information on renewable energy classes and events offered by MRES, go to its website: www.MNRenewables.org.
Laura French is principal of Words Into Action, Inc., and is a freelance writer from Roseville.
