Sign up for OEI News:
Email:
Name:
(optional)



Renewable Energy

For more information, contact Greg Watkins at 515-725-0443 or email.

What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal heat, and biomass.

Renewable Energy in Iowa

Iowa's domestic, renewable energy production has seen significant growth in recent years, including recently being ranked #2 in installed wind energy capacity, surpassing California.

  • In 2008, Iowa generated 7.1% of total power from wind, one of two states to break the 7% mark; however, after doubling capacity in 2008, Iowa is expected to break 15% in 2009 (IPP).

  • Iowa has the installed capacity of almost 2900 MW, enough to power more than 825,000 homes.
  • More than 200 Iowa companies in 26 counties are now supplying the wind industry, generating more than $50 million in new revenue for Iowa companies annually.

Policies

To maintain this leadership role, the Office of Energy Independence recommends developing the following policies:

  • Promote and ensure long-term growth of large utility-scale wind.
  • Promote small-scale distributed generation.
  • Promote the development of an environmentally sound biomass industry in Iowa.

Programs and Initiatives

The Office of Energy Independence has been working to help expand expand renewable energy’s access to the transmission grid through involvement in the Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative (UMTDI), at the request of Governor Culver. UMTDI was established in an effort to meet the growing renewable energy demands.

Governor Culver also is the co-chair of the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition. The Office has taken an active role in representing Iowa at coalition meetings at the request of the Governor.