Minnesota Energy Center MN Renewable Energy Roundtable October 24, 2013

1. Minnesota Energy Center MN Renewable Energy RoundtableOctober 24, 2013 Bruce Peterson Director 320-308-6639 bpeterson@sctcc.edu

2. The Minnesota Energy Center was established in 2013 to support energy-related programs in the State to meet current and future workforce needs Minnesota West Community and Technical College Fiscal Lead Bruce Peterson Director St. Cloud Technical and Community College

3. 2013 accomplishments to date… • Improve connections for businesses to communicate their need for prepared college and university graduates; • MN Energy Consortium Strategic Planning • Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund • Coordinate business and higher education collaboration to support educational opportunities for K-12 students to learn more about industry; • 2014 Concurrent enrollment project • Assess and develop industry (career) pathways to increase student program completion and program efficiencies; and, • Energy Technical Specialist consortium degree • Revise curriculum and programs to address the occupational-specific and non-technical • MnSCU Institution survey

4. As we look forward to the year ahead, our priorities have been identified Minnesota Energy Consortium (MEC) Minnesota Energy Center (MnEC) Improving the pipeline for technical experts to teach energy curricula Kyle Ault, ALLETE Provide support to the MEC K-12 career awareness and outreach Analysis of ETS curriculum Qualified workforce Peter Wasburg, Ottertail Power Andy Zieglmeier, SCTCC Assessment of MnSCU programs and resource Career awareness and creating a diverse pipeline Malinda Mehrhoff, Dakota Electric Assoc. Nancy Juntunen, Great River Energy Creation of resource website Initiate the Xcel Energy RDF grant program

5. To recap highlights of the Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund opportunity • Proposals were considered for various-sized projects in three categories: • Energy Production, • Research and Development which includes a new initiative for renewable electric energy delivery projects, and • Research Funding for Minnesota higher education institutions* • MnEC submitted a block grant application for $5.5 million • Anoka-Ramsey Community College submitted a R&D application for $828,900: Research Coordinated Solar PV Demonstration Project $30 million $10 million *Change in RDF based on 2012 Legislation (S.F. 2181)

6. Thank you for everyone’s patience RFP Phase Evaluation & Public Comment Phase • Initial WebEx with Xcel Energy • 7/16/12 • Proposals due • 4/1/13 • Xcel Energy filed intent with MPUC • 11/29/12 • RFP released • 2/15/13 • Recommendations submitted to MPUC • 7/29/13 • 3rd public comment deadline 12/12/13 • 1st public comment deadline • 9/27/13 • 2nd public comment deadline • 10/11/13

7. The good news is that we made the cut! • The RDF advisory group strongly supported providing a $4.5 million block grant for the MnSCU proposal. The RDF advisory group believes the proposal has the potential for the development of a coordinated and well-managed program to solicit research projects that are relevant to Minnesota and also the ability to have the research incorporated into a jobs training program. The statewide aspect is very attractive and the proposal anticipates beneficial partnerships/linkages between academics, industry, agriculture, existing workforce specialists, students currently enrolled in workforce training programs, and local community stakeholders. The program also allows researchers at smaller campuses to compete for funds. • Although the RDF advisory group recommended a $4.5 million block grant award to MnSCU, the Company is proposing Commission approval of MnSCU’s request for $5.5 million. The RDF advisory group and the Companyare proposing RDF grants awards for EP and R&D projects in the full amount requested by the applicants, and propose to do the same for MnSCU. The Company believes MnSCU’s proposal is exemplary and their grant request should also be fully funded. If the Commission approves a grant award for MnSCU, we will then enter into a RDF grant contract with the institution and submit it to the Department of Commerce for review and approval. Source: Xcel Energy RDF Selection Report

8. In addition the Anoka-Ramsey project also made the cut! Project Goal: To demonstrate three types of solar energy deployment which will be a living, hands-on laboratory for research and skills development. Project Description: ARCC will be installing two photovoltaic (PV) arrays, a unique ground-mount array and a roof-mounted array on its Training Center, as well as a solar electric vehicle (EV) charging station that is integrated with a carport outside its main administrative building. The solar arrays and the EV charging station will be monitored for performance data and will also be hands-on laboratories integrated with solar energy related coursework and energy research activities at ARCC. Installed Capacity: 458.38 kW Contact: Jon Olson, jon.olson@anokaramsey.edu Source: Xcel Energy RDF Selection Report

9. We anticipate the next steps for the MnSCU block grant are: Goal is to fund up to 14 projects with a maximum request of $275,000 (+ 15% indirect costs)

10. Next steps for the Minnesota Energy Center • MnEC Partnership Agreement finalized and signed • MnEC Leadership team finalized • MnEC committees and project teams identified and activities begin • Xcel Energy RDF grant program begins Contact Bruce Contact Jaime To follow the RDF activity: www.puc.state.mn.us, select “Search eDockets” Enter the year (12) and the docket number (1278)

11. Contact Information • Bruce Peterson • Executive Dean for Academic Initiatives • St Cloud Technical and Community College • 320-308-6639 • bpeterson@sctcc.edu