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Third Funding Cycle
Projects chosen for grant awards from the Renewable Development Fund’s 3rd funding cycle were announced on December 6, 2007. (Press Release: Xcel Energy announces renewable energy project selections.342 KB PDF). Approximately $23 million will be awarded in the form of grants for renewable energy production projects, and renewable energy research and development projects. 22 new projects were selected from 91 proposals received in response to a Request for Proposals that was issued in May 2007. A list of projects to be funded has been filed with the Minnesota Public Utility Commission (MPUC) who will review and approve the selection. MPUC is anticipated to issue a decision on individual proposals in the spring of 2008. (Selection Report 41 KB PDF)
The Renewable Development Fund Advisory Board, comprised of two representatives of environmental organizations, one representative of the Prairie Island Indian Community, an industrial/commercial representative, a residential representative, and two representatives of Xcel Energy evaluated and selected proposals to support with resources from the fund. The RDF Advisory Board received assistance in scoring the proposals from a consultant with expertise in renewable energy technologies and evaluation methodologies.
The Renewable Development Fund money comes from Xcel Energy customers after the MPUC approves expenditures from the fund. Each year the company sets aside $16 million for the fund in accordance with state statute. Owners of energy production projects sell the energy to Xcel Energy or use the energy themselves within Xcel Energy's Minnesota service territory.
Energy Production Projects
$8,223,922 was awarded to 5 projects for energy production. Eligible energy production technologies included biomass, solar photovoltaic, and solar thermal resulting in electricity production, and hydrogen production from a biomass or solar energy source. These technologies reflect the RDF Board Advisory Board’s philosophy of funding projects that will facilitate the movement of renewables into the energy marketplace, which will eventually result in installations of renewable resources and technologies that are not currently commercially viable. The Board received a total of 13 Energy Production proposals including: 11 solar PV, 1 biomass, and 1 hydrogen production from biomass.
Research and Development
$14,397,817 was awarded to 17 projects for renewable energy research and development. Eligible technologies included biomass, solar PV, hydroelectric, biofuels and wind. Pilot projects and projects sponsored by the Prairie Island Indian Community received bonus preference points. The Board was interested in funding a diverse mix of research projects that could range from early-stage to advanced-stage research. A preference was given to proposals that would be in a pilot or pre-commercial stage of development. The Board received 78 RD proposal submissions representing a diverse mixture of technology categories: 33 biomass, 5 biofuel, 18 wind, 15 solar PV, 5 hydro, 2 solar thermal electric.
Resources
RDF application materials used in the 3rd Funding Cycle are posted below for reference only; grant applications are not being accepted at this time. An explanation of the application process selection criteria and review process is included within the application materials.
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