+ View Section Navigation

Energy Fact Sheets

The Iowa Environmental Council compiles and contributes to fact sheets on a variety of subjects related to clean energy. Find fact sheets on the topics below.

Solar | Wind | Electric Vehicles | Storage  

Clean Communities  | Energy Efficiency | Grid Reliability | Transmission 

Solar Fact Sheets

Solar energy has the potential to play a significant role in Iowa’s energy portfolio and has been gaining momentum in recent years with growth in solar projects statewide.

Wind Fact Sheets

Wind in Iowa: Past, Present, Future

Iowa is a national leader in wind energy, producing the highest percentage of electricity produced by wind — 57% (2022) — of any state. While Iowa’s wind leadership should be applauded, significant potential remains.

Perspectives on Waste: Wind Turbines

Waste from wind turbine repurposing has raised questions about the sustainability of wind power generation. Yet the non-toxic solid waste generated from wind turbine wind production is a fraction of the dangerous waste products and polluting emissions from coal plants operating in the state.

Electric Vehicles in Iowa

Electric vehicles are the future for cleaner transportation nationwide. In Iowa, an increasing number of electric vehicles hit the road every year, growing demand for charging stations across the state. 

Energy Storage in Iowa

As Iowa continues the transition to clean energy resources, the ability to store renewable generation for use when the sun does not shine and the wind does not blow will be essential for achieving a carbon-free electrical grid. Storage makes a more resilient energy system, minimizing the impacts from events like the 2020 Derecho. With expanding storage technology and the rapidly declining costs of storage, more utility, commercial and personal applications are being realized in Iowa.

Clean Communities

In early 2021, the City of Des Moines adopted a communitywide 24/7 carbon-free electricity resolution to transition the city's electricity away from fossil fuels by 2035. This resolution is thought to be the first of its kind nationwide. Since then, two other cities in Iowa have followed suit: Waterloo and Windsor Heights. Learn how 24/7 carbon-free energy differs from other clean energy pledges in our FAQ below, as well as how the City of Des Moines was able to build support and ultimately adopt this resolution. 

The IRA includes provisions that make communities currently hosting, or have recently hosted, coal plants prime areas for renewable energy development that can retain local jobs and replace lost tax revenues. Learn more about these opportunities and how they can benefit Iowa communities. 

Energy Efficiency 

Grid Reliability

Many wonder how we can build a reliable and resilient power system using those resources to fully decarbonize the electric sector. Grid operators have already shown that utilities can maintain or even improve electricity reliability by responsibly building out a mix of renewable and battery resources, and their studies show that reliability can further improve with much larger additions. Learn more about what this means for Iowa:

Transmission Fact Sheets

Sufficient high-voltage transmission infrastructure that can carry significant additions of wind power and solar power will is necessary to continue clean energy growth and development. Learn more about upcoming transmission projects:

 

Find full reports and more on IEC's Energy Publications page!

Our mission: a just, healthy environment and sustainable future for all Iowans.

ADDRESS

505 Fifth Ave. Suite 850
Des Moines, Iowa 50309

PHONE

515-244-1194

Copyright © 2023. Iowa Environmental Council. All Rights Reserved. Website and Development by Spinutech.