Outside Attractions

East end, outside of Grandstand

Energy use is one of the areas with the greatest potential to improve one’s ecological footprint and save money. Outdoors at the Expo, see examples of technologies that are reducing the associated environmental impacts to our air, water, and land.

Renewable Energy Demonstration Area

The Renewable Energy Demonstration Area features working versions of systems that will use the energy of the sun and wind at the Expo!

• A solar thermal array that generates hot water for an onsite handwashing station. (Next Step Energy)
• A solar thermal array connected to radiant floor heat system. (Hi-Tech Energy Solutions)
• A grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) array generating electricity at the Expo. (Sun Energy-CMC)
• A 1kW wind turbine generating electricity at the Expo. (Sun Energy-CMC)

Exhibitors will be available to answer any questions and show you how all these systems work.

Electric Vehicle Conversion Tent

Featuring the reassembly of a 1998 Chevy S-10 pickup that was previously converted to run as an electic vehicle. You can see the parts and pieces and ask questions about the process as a team puts it back together.

Additional electric vehicles will be exhibited by members of the Minnesota Electric Auto Association.

The electricity for the power tools and lighting for this exhibit will be generated onsite by the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society's solar PV trailer.

Used Fryer Oil Diesel Conversion Tent

Did know that there's a conversion process that enables diesel vehicles to run on used fryer oil (UFO) or straight veggie oil (SVO)? Here’s your chance to learn all about it and see a conversion in action!

An experienced local diesel mechanic will use a conversion kit sold by GreaseCar to transform a traditional diesel-powered Mercedes to run on UFO or SVO instead of diesel fuel. (Blue Cat Motors)

Metro Transit Hybrid Bus

Rob deRonnebeck, fleet service supervisor, will be on hand discussing hybrid bus technology as well as Metro Transit's other environmental initiatives. Visitors are welcome to board the bus and have a look around.

Metro Transit unveiled its first hybrid electric bus in 2002. By 2012, 150 buses—almost 20 percent of their fleet—will be hybrids.

Hybrids use less fuel and emit less exhaust because they use electric power for acceleration. In hybrid buses, electricity is generated by the electric engine and by the braking action of the bus as it slows down or stops. The result is smooth, quiet acceleration with reduced exhaust.

Compared to the buses they’ll replace, hybrids have significant benefits: 90 percent fewer emissions, 22 percent better fuel economy, and a significant drop in noise levels.

PedalPub, LLC

The PedalPub is a party on wheels that keeps obesity and air pollution at bay, while saving energy and money too! These multiple benefits are the hallmark of more sustainable options.

Pedal-powered and seating 16 people, its maximum speed is five miles per hour—just the right speed to share good times with your friends as you tour scenic routes. The creative party alternative to renting a gas-guzzling limo and eating lard-laden snacks.