AURI to host annual Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable

The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), based in Crookston, Minnesota, is looking ahead to its 2025 Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable event. The annual event will take place Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Central in Minneapolis, with a virtual attendance option available.

The focus of this year’s roundtable is the future of biogas, with attendees being able to preview a biogas roadmap AURI will publish in 2026. The event will address the interconnected systems that drive biogas and renewable natural gas.

Keynote speakers for the event include biogas industry leaders Lorenzo Rosa, Ph.D., of Carnegie Science; Michael Schuppenhauer, Ph.D., of mcr Energy LLC; and Heather Dziedzic of the American Biogas Council.

Additionally, AURI says the roundtable will feature two interactive panels to discuss policies that support revenue-generating infrastructure, reduce the cost of municipal waste handling, lower environmental impacts and improve community resiliency.

The first panel, “Where Technology and Market Meet,” includes speakers Jennifer Stokes of CenterPoint Energy; Bill Keegan, P.E., of Dem-Con Co.; Jacob Ethen of the city of St. Cloud Public Utilities; and Brad Anderson of the city of St. Cloud. The second panel, “Advancing from Success,” will feature speakers Steve Grove of Avant Energy; Michael Crinion of Ash Grove Dairy; and Joe Burke of Viresco.

Once registered online, attendees can see others who will be at the roundtable and preschedule one-to-one meetings. The event is sponsored by CenterPoint Energy, Compeer Financial, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Xcel Energy, Vanguard Renewables, Avisen Legal, the Minnesota Farmers Union, Cavanaugh Solutions and BPC Instruments. 

The registration fee is $40 for the in-person event and $20 for the virtual option. To view a full event agenda or to register to attend, visit the event website.