Groundbreaking Study is Good News for Minnesota
ST. PAUL, MINN. (November 6, 2014) – Yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Commerce released the findings of its year-long Minnesota Renewable Energy Integration and Transmission Study (MRITS). The engineering study conducted by Minnesota utilities and transmission companies in coordination with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) examined the ability to increase the state’s Renewable Energy Standard to 40% by 2030, and higher proportions thereafter, while maintaining system reliability.
“Minnesota has been a leader in technical studies to integrate renewables and create a robust electric grid. The study released yesterday continues the trend. Wind on the Wires thanks the utilities, transmission companies, MISO and the Department of Commerce for their leadership,” said Wind on the Wires Executive Director Beth Soholt. “Relatively modest upgrades and additions to the existing transmission system are needed to achieve a 40% level of renewables. Wind on the Wires looks forward to working with utilities and other stakeholders on operational and power system impacts as the state adds more renewables.
“The Minnesota Clean Energy Economy Profile report shows that Minnesota has seen clean energy employment grow 78% since 2000 with 15,300 workers employed in a variety of clean energy sectors in 2014. The investments that have been made in clean energy and transmission so far have served us well.”
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About Wind on the Wires
Wind on the Wires is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minn., which is comprised of wind developers, environmental organizations, tribal representatives, public interest groups, clean energy advocates, farm groups and businesses providing goods and services to the wind industry. Our mission is to overcome the barriers to bringing wind energy to market by addressing technical and regulatory issues, as well as through education and public outreach.
