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Business Models for Deploying Distributed Energy Resources in Rural Electric Cooperatives

  • Humphrey School of Public Affairs 301 South 19th Avenue Minneapolis, MN, 55455 (map)

Workshop Overview

Rural communities and the electric cooperatives that serve them now have unprecedented policy support for deploying Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) that can benefit communities, the agricultural sector, and the electric cooperative systems that serve them. During this third of the three-part workshop series, join leaders from local electric cooperatives, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal agencies, national laboratories, and agricultural and renewable energy industries to learn about emerging DER opportunities. Presentations and discussions will cover developing, demonstrating, and deploying innovative electric cooperative led DER business models to access this opportunity.

Why Attend?

Presentations will outline:

  • Lab-based technical assistance and funding programs for DERs

  • Ensuring effective community engagement throughout the DER project life cycle

  • DER benefits for coops and the agricultural sector

  • Examples of DER system design, integration, and operation

Workshop Objectives

Through interactive engagement, workshop participants will identify regional technical and market opportunities, as well as the challenges of deploying DER business models within rural utilities and the types of support that could be used to address those challenges. Topics of discussion will include:

  • Pathways for ensuring benefits to coops and the agricultural sector

  • Examples of electric cooperative and agricultural business models that can be impediments for DER deployment 

  • Identification of technical and electric cooperative market challenges for utilizing federal programs

Location & Details

  • Date: May 7, 2025

  • Location: Humphrey School of Public Affairs
    301 19th Avenue South
    Minneapolis, MN 55455

  • RSVP Here

This workshop will serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and will provide valuable insights into the development of DER business models that can enhance the resilience and sustainability of rural electric cooperative systems.

We believe your participation would greatly contribute to the success of this event and help shape the future of DER integration in the agricultural sector.

Please let us know if you will be able to attend.

Click here to RSVP for the workshop by Friday, April 18, 2025.

If you experience issues with the RSVP form, please get in touch with Jennifer Jenkins at jjenkins@managroupconsulting.com.