By The University of Minnesota
Photo by The University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota will be hosting two informational meetings about plans to establish a combined heat and power facility at the site of a former university heating plant adjacent to the Dinkytown Bikeway Bridge.
The facility would have natural gas boilers installed to generate a secondary source of steam and electricity for the U of M’s Minneapolis campus. The plant would also help the U reach its goal of climate neutrality by 2050. If the project goes forward, there will be a multi-year implementation period and a state pollution control permitting process.
Meeting information
- 5:30 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 10, Sanford Hall Dining Room, 1122 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. Map
- 5:30 – 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, Sanford Hall Dining Room, 1122 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. Map
Mike Berthelsen, the associate vice president for U of M Facilities Management, will give a presentation about the heat and power plant and facilitate a discussion with attendees.
Following the presentation and discussion, there will be a short walking tour to the Education Sciences Building, where an outdoor deck facing the river gives a good view of the Combined Heat and Power Plant site.
Background
The proposed facility would secure a second valuable source of heat and electricity to the U of M Minneapolis campus. Currently the majority of the campus’ power and heat comes from the Southeast Steam Plant.
University officials say it’s critical to have this second source. Having the campus’ sole source of steam at that location poses a risk to Minnesota’s $10 billion investment in teaching, research and outreach.
The natural gas fueled facility would also help lead the U of M towards its goal to reach climate neutrality by 2050, with an intermediate goal of reducing the carbon footprint by half by the year 2020.
