Given the location of Ely in northeastern Minnesota and the abundant forest resources in the region, there appear to be opportunities for improved utilization of woody biomass. Locally produced, community-based renewable energy systems hold significant promise for increasing energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and contributing to local economies.The main partners in this project are the City of Ely, its Alternative Energy Taskforce, Dovetail Partners, and the University of Minnesota. These partners will explore the questions raised by the project and help inform the community's decision making process.

Project Timeline

Project Related Information and Resources

• City of Ely Alternative Energy Task Force (website)
• E3 - Energy Efficient Ely (website): http://www.eeely.org/
  
• Clean Energy Resource Teams (website): http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/
• University of Minnesota, Center for Environment & Natural Resource Policy (website): http://enrpolicy.forestry.umn.edu/index.htm

Project News Releases and Headlines

• Ely Biomass Energy Options to be Evaluated (Nov. 1, 2011)
  

Additional Resources

• MN Biomass Harvesting Fact Sheet (2012)
• Using Biomass in MN (Case Studies - 2011)
• Information about District Energy and Combined Heat and Power (Presentations from a conference held a the University of Minnesota on November 18, 2010)
• Community-Based Bioenergy and District Heating (Report - 2009)
  
• Energy From Woody Biomass (Report - 2009)