​Energy

​Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Is Your Community Ready for Electric Vehicles? (Video) 


The number of electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing rapidly in the U.S. and worldwide. In the U.S., EVs have increased from 4,000 in 2010 to 1.3 million in 2020, with no sign of slowing down.1 

Watch this short video to learn about why people are switching to EVs and the need for expanded EV charging stations. 

Ready for Electric Vehicles?

 

This two-page fact sheet is intended for local government officials and the public to provide an introduction to electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging stations, and how to support EVs by including EV charging provisions in zoning ordinances.


Ready for Electric Vehicle? (2-page) in PDF format.







This 20-page publication is intended for local government officials and planning and zoning staff to provide an introduction to electric vehicles (EVs), and EV charging outlets. It also provides examples of how general zoning ordinances and building codes can be used to support EVs and benefit communities. 

Ready for Electric Vehicles? (20-page) in PDF format.






Rural EV Toolkit


Charging Forward - A Toolkit for Planning and Funding Rural Electric Mobility Infrastructure

This toolkit from the U.S. Department of Transporation is meant to be a one-stop resource to help rural communities scope, plan, and fund electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. 

Charging Forward Toolkit (PDF)


Biogas

Wisconsin Biogas and Feedstock Survey Study


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This report is intended to quantify and support the biogas-related efforts in Wisconsin. Based on a new statewide Biogas Feedstock and Industry Survey, this report serves as a follow-up to a previous Biogas Survey Report conducted by Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) in 2016. This current study will support Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan (to be released in 2021), a plan resulting from the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change Report (State of Wisconsin, 2020). 

The survey findings included in this report highlight the current status of biogas facilities including operation, maintenance, and sources of biodigester feedstocks. Survey results also identify biogas and energy production, process by-products, as well as industry opportunities and challenges, potential supportive policies and recommendations.

In partnership with OEI staff, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) team designed a survey and sent it to more than 300 Wisconsin biogas facilities related to biogas operations, including dairy and agricultural operations, wastewater treatment facilities, landfills, industrial and food processing facilities. The data collection included both electronic and mail-in survey questionnaires. Eighty-two respondents participated in the survey providing valuable data and information. The findings from this study can be used to address the barriers and challenges of biogas industries and promote biogas production and use in Wisconsin.

Read the Wisconsin Biogas and Feedstock Survey Final Report.

​​Biogas in Wisconsin: Status, opportunities, and challenges



Biogas is a clean renewable gas locally produced from organic waste materials such as food waste,
agricultural residues and animal manure, energy crops, industrial organic waste and sewage sludge. Biogas production involves a natural process called “Anaerobic Digestion” in which bacteria and other microorganisms break down and digest carbon rich organic materials in the absence of oxygen. This process generates a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, called biogas.


​Wood Energy

Exploring Wood Energy Utilization for Heating Schools in Wisconsin Progress


The intent of this study was to explore the potential of Wisconsin public school districts as a new market for the use of woody biomass residue in Wisconsin. Based on past use of woody biomass energy in Wisconsin, other states where woody biomass plays a major role in heat energy production, and case studies on school use of woody biomass energy, this study serves to culminate current wood energy use information and to fill a knowledge-gap in the potential use of wood energy by Wisconsin public school districts. Results of the study will help inform the WDNR and other pertinent agencies about the demand and challenges of utilizing woody biomass residue to heat Wisconsin public school districts. In terms of long-term prospects, it is expected that this study will also help contribute towards increased interest and funding for further woody biomass residue utilization in Wisconsin.

Exploring Wood Energy Utilization for Heating Schools in Wisconsin Progress in PDF format.