Browsing by Subject "energy cooperative"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Great River Energy: Water Heater Potential and Application
    (2021-05) Blumenstock, Sophie; Little, Katrina; Stallman, Jamie; Townsend, Natalie
    This report provides analysis and recommendations about demand-side management programs involving water heaters at the energy cooperative Great River Energy (GRE). We provide an introduction with background on GRE and water heater (WH) demand-side management (DSM) technology. We then highlight two case studies. The first case study examines WH DSM programs used at utilities comparable to GRE and provides context into how GRE could learn from what peer utilities do. The second case study turns internal and looks at the existing web-based communication strategies of GRE’s 28 member-owner cooperatives. We conducted interviews with member-owner co-ops and WH wholesalers and technicians to gain insight into how GRE can better facilitate load management and improve communications about these programs. We conclude with recommendations and example communication methods. Additional information on the interview process and sample communication graphics can be found in the appendixes.
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    Great River Energy: Water Heater Potential and Application
    (2021-05-15) Blumenstock, Sophie; Little, Katrina; Stallman, Jamie; Townsend, Natalie
    This report provides analysis and recommendations about demand-side management programs involving water heaters at the energy cooperative Great River Energy (GRE). We provide an introduction with background on GRE and water heater (WH) demand-side management (DSM) technology. We then highlight two case studies. The first case study examines WH DSM programs used at utilities comparable to GRE and provides context into how GRE could learn from what peer utilities do. The second case study turns internal and looks at the existing web-based communication strategies of GRE’s 28 member-owner cooperatives. We conducted interviews with member-owner co-ops and WH wholesalers and technicians to gain insight into how GRE can better facilitate load management and improve communications about these programs. We conclude with recommendations and example communication methods. Additional information on the interview process and sample communication graphics can be found in the appendixes.
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    Phillips Community Energy Cooperative: Energy Plan
    (Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, 2009-05-12) Finis, Abby
    The Phillips Community Energy Cooperative assists the residents of the Phillips community in Minneapolis with saving money on their energy bills by providing energy efficiency programs and resources. Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important as energy prices are rising, transmission lines are losing capacity, and the threat of climate change is increasingly relevant. This report looks into the importance of energy efficiency in the context of the Phillips community and describes an energy plan that will help increase efficiency in the community by implementing the following programs: • Weatherization workshops will serve to educate community members about how their homes lose heat and what steps can be taken to minimize drafts. The workshops should be language and culturally sensitive in that choice of location and facilitator is as important as the information that is shared. • Neighborhood energy audits will help residents to see more clearly where their homes are losing air and how best to repair it. • A home insulation program is a cost‐effective way for residents to save money by tightening their homes. • Installation of energy efficient heating/cooling infrastructure will greatly reduce energy consumption by replacing outdated equipment. • Installation of renewable energy technologies will provide clean energy to a community with a history of industrial pollution This report looks at energy efficiency improvements in the context of the Phillips community. It first identifies the importance of an increased effort in conserving energy and using it more efficiently. The next section provides a background of the Phillips community and demonstrates the challenges inherent in the community given social demographics and housing characteristics. Additionally, a variety of social benefits that can be derived from energy efficiency and conservation measures will be explored. After a stakeholder analysis, two case studies are used to provide guidance for a model that would work for PCEC and its members. Drawing from the case studies, an implementation plan along with evaluation criteria will be laid out to help PCEC determine a course of action. Finally, recommendations are provided that serve as a foundation for a new program. Finding ways to reduce energy consumption is a challenge that must be met to increase the opportunity for a sustainable future. Implementing a responsible energy plan is the first step towards rising to that challenge.
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    The Roles Generation And Transmission Cooperatives Play in DER Implementation
    (2023) Henke-Fiedler, Brandon; Wang, Jiaqun; Southwick, Kayla; Vadali, Monika
    Distributed energy resources have large and increasing potential to contribute to a renewable and resilient energy grid in the United States. Great River Energy, a generation and transmission electric cooperative in Minnesota, is interested in helping to expand distributed energy resources within its service territory and that of its member-owner distribution cooperatives. In this report, we analyze and describe the part that U.S. generation and transmission cooperatives have in expanding distributed energy resources, applied to the case of Great River Energy. Through literature review, analysis of case studies, conversations with referred experts and our capstone partner, and data analysis, we synthesize and give a set of recommendations for Great River Energy to consider investigating to meet its goal for increasing its generation of and support for renewable energy.