DULUTH, Minn. — Rebuild Minnesota has chosen the Lake Superior Zoo for a renewable energy demonstration project. Rebuild Minnesota is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Rebuild America Program, which aims to improve energy through energy efficiency.

The zoo project will include solar hot water and potential space heating for the animal barn, photovoltaic fueling station for electric vehicles, a geothermal heat exchanger for the polar bear and seal pools, and a micro hydro facility for buildings on the zoo property.

“Thousands of people will have the opportunity to learn first hand about the value of energy and its relationship to our environment and the creatures that live in it,” said Mike Janis, Lake Superior Zoo director. “It is also a great opportunity to showcase the Rebuild Minnesota initiative to zoos all over the world.”