Minn. organization offering energy project funding

Biomass project developers in Minnesota have until July 2 to submit applications for funding through the Clean Energy Resource Team’s grant request for proposals.

The grants are designed to provide financial assistance for both energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in need of technical assistance, including consultant, design or installation fees.

Earlier this year, CERT awarded the University of Minnesota-Crookston a $4,000 grant for a biomass feedstock feasibility study. The school is using the funds, in part, to evaluate local biomass sources within a 30-mile radius, including hybrid cattails, brush, grass and hybrid poplars for use in the schools power plant.

The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute also received funding from CERT in 2012. AURI was given $6,000 and has begun creating a biomass heating feasibility guide focused on poultry producers and greenhouse gas producers switching to biomass heating systems. And, in 2008, the city of Gaylord used funding from CERT to find and research an anaerobic digester system to treat wastewater produced from the city and surrounding agricultural businesses. CERT has been offering project funding since 2006 and helped fund 27 projects in 2012 alone.

To qualify for funding, a project must be located within one of the CERT’s seven regions. Although each region is looking for different project characteristics, CERT has provided a basic list of eight aspects an ideal project should have, ranging from engaging or involving a variety of community partners, to a high potential for replicable models. All projects must be completed by August 15, 2013 and CERT will not provide funding for project work completed before any funding has been awarded. For full project submission details, click here.