LITTLE FALLS, Minn. - The Minnesota National Guard and Minnesota Power will join forces to build a major solar energy project at Camp Ripley, the largest military base in Minnesota.
The Minnesota National Guard and Duluth-based Minnesota Power signed an agreement Wednesday"to build a 10-megawatt utility-scale solar energy array spanning 100 acres at Camp Ripley. The project will be the largest solar energy installation on any National Guard base in the country. Minnesota Power will also identify ways to help the Guard save 30 percent of its energy, and install backup generation for energy security at Camp Ripley.
"The Minnesota National Guard and specifically Camp Ripley has been long looking for ways to increase our environmental stewardship." This signing marks a milestone along our path to making that vision a reality, said Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, Minnesota National Guard adjutant general.
"The Minnesota National Guard is committed to working with local partners in the government and the private sector, like Minnesota Power, to assist us in our pursuit of sustainable infrastructure."
The solar farm and backup generation will be designed and constructed to allow Camp Ripley to use the energy produced by the project during infrequent periods when the electric grid is down, providing enhanced energy security for Minnesota's largest military site, which benefits all Minnesotans. At 10 megawatts, it will be among Minnesota's largest single-site solar arrays, producing more electricity than the camp normally requires. During non-emergency operation the solar energy produced would flow into Minnesota Power's electric service territory, which encompasses 26,000 square miles in central and northern Minnesota.
The solar energy project is projected to cost $25 million, and could be completed in the 2015-2016 time frame."
Completion of the Camp Ripley solar project will help the Minnesota National Guard meet energy conservation objectives outlined by the Department of Defense. And Camp Ripley would achieve an energy security priority by gaining the ability to function completely independent of the electric grid in emergency situations. The project will stand to showcase a clean energy partnership between an innovative public utility and the military."
In addition, the National Guard and Minnesota Power will work together to identify and complete programs that will help Camp Ripley meet its energy savings goal of 30 percent" (beginning with a 2003 baseline)." Minnesota Power personnel have recommended more than 50 different energy conservation measures to assist in meeting the energy savings goal.
Phase three of the memorandum of understanding"signed earlier this week"outlines how Minnesota Power will install reciprocating engines - either diesel or natural gas -- at Camp Ripley that will serve a dual purpose. First, the engines would provide capacity and peaking energy to Minnesota Power, operated through remote dispatch during periods when energy market conditions call on it. Secondly, this "backup generation could provide emergency generation to Camp Ripley.