Minnesota Renewable Hydrogen Initiative

The Minnesota Renewable Hydrogen Initiative (MRHI), a partnership of industry, university, government, and non-government organizations, leads the state's effort to grow and promote Minnesota's renewable hydrogen industry.

Roadmap

Roadmap (screen): (216 Kb)

For print : 8 1/2"x11" format (2Mb)

For print : 11"x17" format (2Mb)

To guide this effort, MRHI has outlined a roadmap to identify and implement the most strategic opportunities that will best leverage resources to move the state to hydrogen as an increasing source of energy for its electrical power, heating, and transportation needs. In addition, this roadmap will structure and pursue the partnerships needed between industry, government, and institutions to functionally achieve the technological, policy, and product development steps necessary to achieve the initiative's goal and vision. The Minnesota Renewable Hydrogen Initiative will create jobs, encourage economic development, and foster new industries in Minnesota, while decreasing the risk to our health, environment, and energy security.

Learn more

To learn more, or to find out how to become a partner in this initiative, contact Linda Limback < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. > at the Energy Office, Minnesota Department of Commerce, 651-296-1883.

MRHI events

The Minnesota Renewable Hydrogen Initiative Forum meets quarterly, and is open to all parties interested in sharing information and opportunities for Minnesota to benefit from the approaching hydrogen economy.

May 27, 2005

This event was hosted by the University of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (for background see http://www1.umn.edu/iree/).

• Michael Michaud
  Economics of wind-to-hydrogen production and opportunity for using wind power for base load electric 250Kb
• Richard Huelskamp, University of Minnesota
  Manure anaerobic digestion methane-to-H2-to-electricity production project at Haubenschild Dairy 550Kb
• Paul Plahn, Cummins Power Generation
  Solid oxide fuel cell development and other renewable fuel power production activities 1.9Mb
• Jim Walters, Rochester Public Utility
  Phase 1 results of Fuel Cell Research Project to integrate fuel cell electricity generation into power grid, and next phase interaction into geothermal heat pump 950Kb

February 17, 2005

Minnesota Air, Water and Waste Conference | Hydrogen: Fuel of the Future?

• Richard Hemmingsen, University of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment
  Renewable Hydrogen Research at the U of M 20Mb (very large file)
• Rolf Nordstrom, Upper Midwest Hydrogen Initiative
  The Potential and Challenge of Hydrogen as and Energy Carrier 250Kb
• Cecil Massie, Sebesta Bloomberg and Associates
  The Role of Biomass in Minnesota's Energy Future 250Kb

March 15, 2004

Renewable Hydrogen Initiative Forum

• Valri Lightner, Manager Fuel Cell Dept. R&D, DOE Office of Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies
  National Perspective on Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies. 952Kb
• Lanny Schmidt, Regents Professor, Chemical Engineering and Material Science Dept., University of Minnesota
  Renewable Hydrogen from Ethanol. 512Kb
• Panel Discussion and Q & A: John Goodman, President of the Fuel Cells Division, Entegris, Inc. moderated a panel with Bob Anderson, Dir. of Fuel Cell Division, 3M; Lisa Daniels, Executive Dir. Windustry; Cecil Massie, Mgr. Mfg. Process Division, Sebesta Blomberg; Betsy Engelking, Mgr. of Resource Planning Dept., Great River Energy; Paris Tsobanakis, Senior Scientist, Cargill; Dr. Mausoud Amin, Director of the Center for Development of Technical Leadership, University of MN; Janet Streff, Manager of State Energy Office, MN Dept. of Commerce, Valri Lightner, U.S. DOE and Lanny Schmidt, U of MN.

January 29, 2004

Renewable Hydrogen Initiative Forum

• George Sverdrup, Manager, Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Program of U.S. DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory | 5Mb
  National research initiatives in fuel cells and hydrogen made from renewable energy
• Michelle Swanson, Board Member, Xcel Energy's Renewable Development Fund
  Overview and questions on the fund: www.xcelenergy.com
• Dick Hemmingson, Director, Initiative in Renewable Energy and the Environment, University of Minnesota | 2.2Mb
  IREE Project update
• Cecil Massie, Senior Engineer, Sebesta Bloomberg and Associates | 400Kb
  Biomass gasification and biomass energy potential for Minnesota
• Rod Larkins, 3M | Presentation not available electronically.
  Applying for a maximizing use of government research grants.
• Mike Reese, Coordinator, West Central Research & Outreach Center, University of Minnesota-Morris | 7Mb
  Update on Renewable Energy Research and Demonstration Projects

October 29, 2003

This event, “Portable Power: Micro Fuel Cell Applications,” was held in partnership with Minnesota Technology, Inc. Technology Awareness Forum and 3M.

• John Goodman, Entegris, Inc. | 3.6Mb
  Fuel cells: the next microelectronics revolution? Manufacturers, governments, academics and researchers alike are all successfully improving fuel cell technology. What are the ultimate goals among those who work within or contribute to the fuel cell industry? What can we collectively be doing now to properly advance fuel cell technology?
• Dr. Mark K. Debe, 3M Company | 4.1Mb
  Why is it taking so long? Have the market expectations of PEMFC’s been oversold? Is there a real “killer app” that can lead the technology development and pave the early road to commercialization?
• Dr. Allison Fisher, Motorola Energy Technologies Lab | 1.6Mb
  Methanol based fuel cells, both direct methanol (DMFCs) and reformed methanol (RHFC), are a promising technology for compact, 1-2W power applications. Motorola's approach to a 20W power system based on a small fuel processor that reforms methanol to hydrogen is also briefly described.

Fact sheet

• Common Types of Fuel Cells

July 23, 2003

• Ed Garvey, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce | 200Kb
  The impact on the states renewable energy, hydrogen and fuel cell industries resulting from the Prairie Island energy bill.
• Bob Elde, Dean of the College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota | 150Kb
  U of M plans for assisting state renewable hydrogen and fuel cell development as a part of its "Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment."
• Paul Plahn, Director of Advanced Product Development, Cummins Power Generation | 5.5Mb
  Progress, challenges and opportunities for portable, solid oxide fuel cells.
• Mike Michaud, Energy Facility Permitting, Minnesota Environmental Quality Board | 450Kb
  Hydrogen fuel blending, a step for increasing the demand for hydrogen while not requiring new distribution systems.

Fact sheet

• Minnesota's Fuel Cell Industry

March 7, 2003

• Rolf Nordstrom, Minnesota Planning | 2.2Mb
• Mark Debee, Group Manager, Fuel Cell Components Program, 3M | 650Kb
• Joe Abdoo, Plant Manager, Hydrogen Infrastructure, Praxair | Presentation not available electronically.
  Press Release: Praxair Introduces New Fuel Cell Grade Hydrogen (3/10/03)
• Bob Elde, Dean, Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota | 4Mb
• Lee Munnich, HHH Institute | 150Kb

Fact sheets

• Hydrogen—The New Fuel of Choice | 175Kb
• Fuel Cells—Power Where It's Needed | 250Kb
• Power for Products | 175Kb