Welcome to the renewable energy website for activities of the West Central Research and Outreach Center and the University of Minnesota, Morris!

Renewable Fertilizer
Conference and Road Tour
July 10th & 11th

Click on the text for more information and to register.

Our organizations are committed to being at the forefront of the latest in green technologies by utilizing the renewable resources of biomass, wind, and solar energies in combination with energy conservation.

Please move your mouse over the pictures at the left for links to our various projects.

The first large-scale, research-oriented wind turbine ever constructed at a public university in the U.S. began generating power in March 2005 and produces 5.6 million kilowatt hours of power each year.

Now, this wind turbine will power a Wind-to-Hydrogen-to-Ammonia fac‎ility to affordably create fertilizer from renewable energy.

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A biomass gasification demonstration and research facility at UMM will generate enough steam to meet 80 percent of the campus heating and cooling needs. This facility is designed on a community scale (district heating/cooling).

This facility will gassify local biomass, including such things as corn stover, switchgrass, and more.

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The WCROC, in conjunction with UMM, has installed multiple sets of solar panels at both locations. In keeping with the research and demonstration aspect of the WCROC, multiple types of solar energy collectors have been used.

Specifically at the WCROC, the installed solar panels will heat and cool the building, as well as provide domestic water heating.

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The University of Minnesota, Morris and West Central Research and Outreach Center have become national leaders in renewable and sustainable energy initiatives. Our emphasis is on outreach and education in sharing this information.

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The University of Minnesota WCROC has finished construction on a green building addition to the administrative building. The WCROC is now undergoing the process of obtaining a LEED Silver Certificate for the new addition.

Meanwhile, UMM is in the planning stages of constructing a green and sustainable residential life facility, and has already completed work on a new LEED-Certified Welcome Center.

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