Wind power for Mankato: A renewable energy option

1. Wind power for Mankato: A renewable energy option Presentation to the Mankato City Council April 23, 2007

2. Overview • In this presentation, we introduce our team and then we explain: • The energy problem • Solutions: Wind power scenarios

3. The research team • Technical Communication, English 271, sections 05 & 07, MSU, Mankato • Students formed teams • The team leaders: • Project management: Dan Winkels • Writing, editing, and production: Emily Buss • Wind turbines and their construction: Chris Arce • Site location: Michael Larson • Types of ownership: Brad Buche • Budget: Sachin Rajbhandari

4. What is the problem? • As we look to the future, we will need to find renewable, clean energy sources • Current fuels in MN (2001): coal (75%), nuclear (17%), hydroelectric (3%), and natural gas (1%) • Coal emissions: Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), particulate matter, Mercury (Hg), Carbon Dioxide (CO2-the main greenhouse gas). • Nuclear has a waste problem • Natural gas is non-renewable For emissions data: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/programs/electricity.html

5. What is the problem? • “Easy” coal (coal that can be easily mined) will last about another 100 years in the United States • We have about 10 years’ supply of natural gas remaining in the United States (Source: Dr. Louis Schwartzkopf, MSU)

6. Power consumption is increasing • Population of Mankato (2000): 32, 427 • Population of North Mankato (2000): 11, 798 • MSU population: 14,000 + • The city of Mankato has an expected annual growth of 1.6% per year (Approx. 638 people per year) • Per capita annual residential power consumption in Minnesota is in this range: 3360 Kwh to 3902 Kwh. (Source: http://www.eere.energy.gov/states/state_specific_statistics.cfm/state=MN)

7. Renewable sources of energy • Renewable clean options include: wind, solar, and hydroelectric • MN is 7th windiest state & ranks 9th in wind power potential See http://www.awea.org/projects/minnesota.html See:http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2003/09/29_galballye_windthree/, for example. • Wind power is already successful in MN • Turbines installed statewide: 863 • Current total installed capacity: 895 MW Source: http://www.awea.org/projects/minnesota.html

8. MN wind maps by month at 80 meters

9. Wind drawbacks • Wind power is intermittent • Wind power requires land, wind, capital, and transmission lines • Of the wind that flows through turbines, 59% can be captured and converted to energy. • Turbines change the landscape

10. Economic benefits of wind power industry • Wind is good business • Land owners receive a leasing fee • Wind power technology offers opportunities for employment Example: SMI & Hydraulics, Porter, MN http://www.smihyd.com/

11. Role of the city council members • The city council can provide leadership: • Renewable energy sources • Increase wind power • Both Xcel and BENCO offer green power alternatives • Windsource • Wellspring • Conservation • Energy-saving programs: • Long-life light bulbs • Lowering thermostats

12. What can the city do? • Five scenarios: • Partnership • Demonstration project of several turbines: MSU, City of Mankato, SCC, BENCO, City of North Mankato Dr. John Frey, john.frey@mnsu.edu Paul Gorman, paul.gorman@southcentral.edu Dave Sunderman, daves@ benco.org • Full-scale project with Xcel or BENCO • Privately-Owned: Land owners & investors build and sell wind power to Xcel or BENCO • Power Company Owned: Xcel, BENCO build to supply Mankato area • Less likely: • Municipally Owned • State/Federally Owned

13. Overview • In this presentation, we introduced our team and then explained: • The energy problem • Solutions: Wind power scenarios

14. Questions • Do you have questions? • Our team leaders will be happy to try to answer them. Thank you!