Solar Energy l Waste Oil Recycling l Wind Turbine l Waste Heat

Like many, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and its members are faced with growing energy demand, dependence on outside sources for that energy, and known environmental impacts associated with conventional energy sources. In response, the Community has been active in exploring local options to supply its energy demands. This focus on local options may reduce some of the environmental impacts associated with conventional energy sources. Most of the solutions under construction for the Community do not require extensive infrastructure, and initial investment costs are recouped over the life of the project, especially with rising conventional energy costs.

Solar Energy
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Fire Station addition completed in 2008 has incorporated efforts to utilize the free energy of the sun. Four skylights with daylight harvesting sensors light a training room and equipment bay, reducing daytime energy usage. Six solar cells capture energy to heat water for showers and vehicle washing equipment, reducing the use of natural gas.

The new Ice Arena at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness has 16 solar panels to heat water for ice resurfacing equipment and eight skylights with daylight harvesting sensors. Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays, the arena typically will not have a lot of use. By using skylights and daylight harvesting during these non-peak hours, energy consumption for lighting will be reduced by about 50%.

Waste Oil Recycling
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is currently in the process of obtaining infrastructure to recycle waste oil on site. The Community’s 12 restaurants and the tribal government generate 28,000 gallons of waste vegetable oil each year. What was once considered waste is now considered an energy resource.

Waste vegetable oil will be used to produce bio-diesel for use in Community vehicles. During the summer months, biodiesel can supply 100% of the required fuel; in winter months, there is a need to blend it with diesel fuel because of temperature extremes common to Minnesota. Bio-diesel produces cleaner emissions than petroleum-based diesel fuel and reduces the need to use regular diesel fuel.

Waste motor oil and vegetable oil can be used to heat buildings. Currently, this waste oil is hauled away; but by the end of 2008, some Community spaces will be partially heated by waste oil. Using waste oil for heat reduces the use of natural gas.

Wind Turbine
A 1.5 megawatt wind turbine is planned for installation beginning in 2008 and continuing in 2009. This energy source has almost no environmental impact, as it is not located near a major bird or bat migratory flyway. This single turbine will supply nearly all of the Community residential energy demand.

The center hub will stand 262.4 feet tall and be visible for miles around. The three blades will be 229.6 feet in length and will function like a propeller. Energy created by the turbine will be metered as it enters a nearby electrical substation that provides electricity to the SMSC and the surrounding area. The generated energy will likely be offset against Community energy costs.

Waste Heat
Most heat produced by equipment is considered a large source of waste energy and is not utilized. The Community’s new Ice Arena at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness will capture waste heat from the refrigeration compressors used to cool the rink floor and use it to heat the arena seats. By only heating the spaces where people are, there is no need to heat the entire arena. This reduces energy consumption significantly. The two Dakotah! Sport and Fitness Ice Arenas are the home ice for the Prior Lake boys’ and girls’ hockey teams.