Minnesota, Iowa Officials Learn about Renewable Energy in Germany

Experts from Minnesota and Iowa are visiting Germany this week to study energy and power systems that can help meet each state’s needs.

The team will be meeting with members of Germany’s economics and environment ministries. While overseas, they will be comparing German energy and heating systems to ones in the U.S., test-driving a hydrogen car, visiting a hybrid power plant, and other activities.

According to the University of Minnesota, Germany is a world leader in renewable energy adoption, and the state of Brandenburg is the site of the world’s first hybrid power plant.

Here are those participating on the trip:
•    Yvonne Prettner Solon, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor
•    Kim Reynolds, Iowa Lieutenant Governor
•    Steve Kelley, director, Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
•    Steven Taff, professor of applied economics, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota
•    Lewis Gilbert, associate director, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota
•    David Boyd, commissioner, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
•    Libby Jacobs, commissioner and chair, Iowa Utilities Board
•    Phyllis Reha, commissioner and vice-chair, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
•    John Marty, Minnesota state senator
•    David Tomassoni, Minnesota state senator
•    Robert Ambrose, governmental affairs, Great River Energy
•    Michael Cashin, environmental policy manager, Allete/Minnesota Power
•    Carmen Kristan, economics department, German Embassy at Washington D.C.
•    Rolf Nordstrom, executive director, Great Plains Institute
•    Ken Smith, president and CEO, District Energy St. Paul, Inc.

The tour is hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Center for German and European Studies.