Last DSIRE Review: 10/29/2009
Program Overview:
| State: |
Minnesota |
| Incentive Type: |
Utility Grant Program |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, CHP/Cogeneration, Hydrogen, Anaerobic Digestion, Renewable Fuels, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels |
| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, Utility, State Government, Tribal Government, Fed. Government, Agricultural, Institutional |
| Amount: | Varies |
| Maximum Incentive: | Varies by RFP details;
Individual projects in the Energy Production category: $2 million (2007 solicitation);
Individual projects in the R&D category: $1 million (2007 solicitation) |
| Program Start Date: | 1999 |
| Web Site: |
http://www.xcelenergy.com/rdf/
|
Date Enacted: 1994 (subsequently amended) |
Summary:
Note: The application deadline for the third and most recent funding cycle is now closed. The fourth funding cycle has not yet been scheduled.
The Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund (RDF) was created in 1999 as an outcome of 1994 Minnesota legislation concerning spent nuclear fuel at Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island Nuclear Plant. The original legislation has been amended and added to several times, expanding the amount of money collected by the fund and prescribing funding allocations for specific programs. Funding available for the grant program thus depends on the other funding obligations that need to be met with RDF funds at any given time. The Xcel RDF provides grants periodically through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Renewable-energy technologies eligible for funding typically include wind, biomass, solar, hydroelectric generators and fuel cells. Funding is generally split between new development projects that result in the production of renewable energy, and research and development. Wind energy production projects were not eligible for funding under the third and most recent grant cycle and will likely remain so under future cycles. However, wind remains generally eligible for projects not engaged in energy production.
The first round of grants from the Xcel Energy RDF program, completed in 2001, supported 19 projects with nearly $16 million in funding. In 2005, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the second round of projects funded from the Xcel Energy RDF program -- 29 projects totaling nearly $37 million. The selections for the third and most recent round of projects -- 22 projects totaling $22.6 million -- were approved by the PUC in April 2008. During the third cycle of funding a total $8.2 million was awarded to 5 energy production projects and $14.4 million was awarded to 17 R&D projects.
For details on past and current projects, please see the program webpage.
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