State legislation in 2007 required a statewide study of dispersed renewable generation potential to identify locations in the transmission grid where a total of 1200 MW of relatively-small renewable energy projects could be operated with little or no change to the existing infrastructure. For the purposes of the study, dispersed renewable energy projects are wind, solar and biomass projects that will generate between 10 and 40 MW of power.

An analytic team led by staff from the Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security and Great River Energy in collaboration with the Minnesota electric utilities and with the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) is conducting the Dispersed Renewable Generation Study. A technical review committee (TRC) of national, regional and state technical experts representing the national energy laboratories, MISO, wind and community energy advocates and Minnesota's utilities is guiding and reviewing the work of the analytic team.

On June 16, 2008 the Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security released the results of the first phase of the study. The Phase I study goal was to identify locations in the transmission grid where a total of 600 MW of relatively-small sized renewable energy projects could be operated with little or no changes required to the existing infrastructure.  For Phase I of the study, the analytic team generated the first state-wide models of Minnesota's entire electrical system including higher and lower voltage lines, and developed new methodologies to identify potential opportunities for dispersed renewable generation. The potential locations studied were based on public input, regional availability of renewable resources, current dispersed generation in the MISO queue, and access to existing transmission.

Phase II of the study began in October of 2008.  The goal of Phase II is to identify locations for an additional 600 MW of dispersed renewable energy.

These files are available for downloading:

Phase I

• Volume I: Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Phase I Report (.pdf)
• Volume II:  Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Phase I Report, Appendix A (.pdf)
• Volume III: Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Phase I Report, Appendices B - I (.pdf)
• DRG Study Results Webinar, June 16, 2008
  • DRG Study Presentation Webinar Slides (.pdf)
  • DRG Study Presentation Webinar Audio  (.wav file, 43 MB)

Phase II

• Volume I: Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Phase II Report (.pdf)
• Volume II: Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Phase II Report, Appendix A (.pdf)
• Volume III: Dispersed Renewable Generation Study Phase II Report, Appendices B - I (.pdf)
• DRG Study Scope Webinar, October 15, 2008
  • DRG Study Presentation  Webinar Slides  (.pdf)
  • DRG Study Presentation  Webinar Audio  (.wav file, 23 MB)
• DRG Study Update Webinar, August 18, 2009
  • DRG Study Presentation Webinar Slides (.pdf)
  • DRG Study Presentation Webinar Audio (.wav file, 12.1 MB)
• DRG Study Results Webinar, September 15, 2009
  • DRG Study Presentation Webinar Slides (.pdf)
  • DRG Study Presentation Webinar Audio (.wav file, 39MB)