An emerging economic challenge for greater Minnesota involves developing renewable energy sources for local consumption.

To lay the groundwork for the next generation, the West Central Rural Outreach Center (WCROC) has launched an extensive applied research program in renewable energy geared towards rural Minnesota users and producers.

An extension of the University of Minnesota’s College of Food Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, WCROC tests and develops biomass gasification, creates synthetic fertilizer (NH3) from wind turbines, as well as photovoltaic and solar-thermal systems.

(video use courtesy of University of Minnesota)