St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved Xcel Energy’s revised Resilient Minneapolis Project – a project that aims to support enhanced resilience for disadvantaged communities.
In 2022, the PUC approved the Resilient Minneapolis Project (RMP) as an element of Xcel Energy’s larger Integrated Distribution Plan. The RMP is a pilot to install rooftop solar, a battery energy storage system, and microgrid controls at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, the Sabathani Community Center, and a resiliency hub spread across multiple buildings in North Minneapolis.
In 2023, the PUC asked Xcel to revise the RMP after project costs increased, as well as ensure the project was specifically aligned with community needs. Over the past several months, Xcel worked with community members, environmental advocacy organizations, and site hosts to address these changes and enhance the original proposal.
A change to the original project is that Xcel Energy secured federal funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovations Partnership (GRIP) grant. As a result of the GRIP funding, and efforts to secure additional external financing, Renewable Energy Partners can now own and operate the North Minneapolis Community Resilience Hub. This means that Xcel Energy, and ratepayers, will not fund the North Minneapolis project.
The Commission applauded all involved in bringing in federal dollars and strengthening the original proposal. “The goal was to learn how these microgrids can enhance energy resilience and relieve burdens for disadvantaged communities and that takes time and open communication,” said Commissioner Valerie Means. “I appreciate Xcel, the host sites, community members, and partner organizations working together to make the project stronger and more inclusive.”
Additional changes to the project include:
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Increased collaboration with the City of Minneapolis and the University of St. Thomas to build the capacity of site hosts and community members to manage the resilience hub during an emergency.
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Offering services to community members and gaining experience with the daily operation of batteries and solar panels.
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Updates on Xcel and Site Hosts’ Community Benefits Agreement to understand progress towards common goals.
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Requiring Xcel to study the battery sharing agreement to ensure benefits of the batteries flow optimally to both hosts and ratepayers.
The Commission previously approved the project cost at $9 million, which now will be matched by the DOE GRIP grant.
About
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy: electricity, natural gas and telephone. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate, and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional, and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. Learn more at mn.gov/puc.
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