By John Sarver of the Michigan DELEG.
Michigan Appliance Rebate program still has incentives available, but dollars are limited. To date, 49% of the program funds for refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers have been spent, with approximately 50,000 rebates being issued to Michigan residents. The furnaces and water heaters program has spent approximately 5%, with approximately 150 rebates being issued to Michigan residents. DOE has recently approved a rebate increase for this portion of the program. Rebate levels have increased for the following products: 1) Propane Furnaces—increase to $500, 2) Propane Water Heaters—increase to $300, 3) Oil Furnaces—increase to $500, and 4) Solar Water Heaters—increase to 25%, maximum of $2,500. Residents who already received a rebate will get an additional amount to raise them to the new levels. www.mirebates.com & www.michrebate.com
Governor Granholm has announced that the state of Michigan has achieved a 22% reduction in energy use at state facilities throughout Michigan during the last fiscal year compared to fiscal year 2002. If this reduction had not been achieved, the state would have paid an additional $30 million last year. Since the Governor took office, the state has achieved a total utility cost avoidance of $89.9 million. Energy Use Reduction Coordinators representing each agency meet regularly to exchange ideas, gather information, and provide updates on their progress.
Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing grants and loans will go to 9 small Michigan manufacturers. Governor Granholm announced that the manufacturers will share $20 million funded by the federal Recovery Act. One of the companies is Great Lakes Industry in Jackson which will convert its existing gear manufacturing operations to meet the growing demand for precision gear boxes needed in large wind turbines. Another company is Ventower Industries, which recently broke ground for its new facility in Monroe. Ventower will build the structural steel towers that are used to support commercial-sized wind turbines. A third company, URV USA in Rochester will establish a foundry to produce high-quality castings for the wind industry. http://www.michigan.gov/gov/
DTE Energy has introduced a new 100 home, 6 month program to promote whole home energy savings for residential combo customers in Southeast Michigan with both MichCon gas and Detroit Edison electricity. To deliver the Whole Home Performance Program, DTE Energy has teamed up with WellHome (a Masco company), and Michigan SAVES to promote, incentivize, and deliver comprehensive home energy retrofits. The program, which started on June 1 offers rebates of up to $3,500 for whole-home energy retrofits achieving 20% in savings, and low interest unsecured financing through Michigan SAVES. For more information, go to Whole Home Performance Program link at www.yourenergysavings.com.
Uni-Solar has unveiled a “Technology Roadmap” to 12% conversion efficiency by 2012 with a cost per watt of less than $1. The company is targeting 20% plus for conversion efficiency. The road map includes enhancing the laminate which will improve conversion efficiencies to 8.2% by close of 2010, high rate deposition which targets 10% by end of 2011, and use of nanotech to result in 12% by end of 2012.
Michigan Uniform Energy Code Public Hearing will be held on July 20, 9:00 AM in the MSP Auditorium, Michigan State Police Training Academy, 7426 N. Canal Rd., Dimondale. The MUEC rules are proposed to be effective 120 days after filing with the Secretary of State. The proposed energy residential rules will adopt the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code with Michigan amendments. The proposed energy commercial rules will adopt the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007. Oral or written comments may be presented in person at the hearing or must be received in writing no later than 5:00 PM on July 20. http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-10575—,00.html
Michigan Energy Appraisal: Summer 2010 from the MPSC indicates that Michigan’s total electric sales are projected to increase by 2.1% in 2010, following a 6.7% decrease in 2009. Impacted by the recession, sales in 2009 were the lowest seen since 1997 with declines in all sectors: residential, commercial, and industrial. Part of last year’s decline can be attributed to the cooler than normal summer, which saw cooling degree days 35% below normal. Even with the projected moderate increase in 2010, sales will only approach a return to their 1998 levels. http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/reports/energy/10summer/index.htm
Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation & Development Council is offering a $62,600 grant to one institution to fund the retrofit or replacement of an existing boiler to accommodate wood fuel. Boiler systems in the range of 500,000 to 4 million BTU/hour are targeted. A matching requirement of at least 1:1.5 (or $93,900) is required. Funding preference will be given to facilities with high public demonstration potential within the Southeast Michigan RC&D Council area (Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties). All project proposals must be submitted by July 26. http://semircd.org/ash/news/woodenergyRFP0610.pdf
Harlan Byker and his company, Pleotint LLC, have worked for 12 years to develop a window film that reacts to sunlight. Sandwiched between two panes of glass, the film darkens on hot, sunny days, keeping out heat, and goes transparent on cloudy days to let in available sunlight to heat the interior. Sunlight Responsive Thermochromic film got a boost this week with a $402,457 federal grant that will be used for independent research to determine the effectiveness of the film on sunlight control. A year-long test of the window film product is planned at the Iowa Energy Center. A 2006 study by GMB Architecture + Engineering, of Holland, found that the product can provide between 17-30% in energy cost savings.
University of Michigan Team has won the American Solar Challenge for a third consecutive North American title. The week-long, biennial 1,100-mile competition for solar-powered vehicles started in Broken Arrow, Okla., on June 20 and ended in Naperville, Ill., on June 26. The UM car was the first of 13 to cross the finish line for a final time of 28 hours, 14 minutes and 44 seconds. This is the sixth North American title for UM, which won the inaugural event in 1990 with its first car, the Sunrunner. Infinium is believed to be the university’s fastest solar car ever. It reached 100 mph in testing. http://solarcar.engin.umich.edu/
Dow Corning has been awarded $1.2 million from DOE to develop an insulating facade system for commercial buildings. The funding will assist Dow Corning in the development of a silicon-based high-efficiency building insulation system which could be used in retro-fit and new construction applications. The insulation project is focused on achieving R-40 or greater for exterior insulation and finish systems.
1.26 kW PV roof-integrated system has been installed on my house. I needed a new roof and Consumers Energy $.65/kWh Experimental Advanced Renewable Program (EARP) incentive certainly helped. Unfortunately that “feed-in-tariff” program is completely full right now. PV Watts software program estimates I should get 1440 kWh’s per year or about 20% of my electric needs. So far, I’m averaging 4.8 kWh’s per day. If you want to see the type of PV system, go to www.lumaresources.com.
GreenRoad attempts to change drivers’ fuel-wasting ways by giving them constant feedback – a little black box — and by sending them weekly emails that analyze their driving and offer tips. The box has three lights and when the car’s driver makes a fuel-wasting or dangerous move, such as making fast, sharp turns or weaving through traffic — the LEDs go from green to yellow to red. The GreenRoad system has been installed in more than 80 corporate fleets since 2008. Some clients have seen accident rates halved and fuel savings of 5 to 10%.
Underwater Power Generation Concept is the top winner of Motivate Michigan, a corporate-sponsored collegiate competition to generate ideas to improve Michigan’s economy. UM students Tarun Koshy and Nicholas Williams presented “Thunder From Down Under,” a proposal to install underwater turbines in all the major lakes and rivers of Michigan. They also presented the technology of a UM spin-off called Vivace Power that uses a property of moving water called vortex induced vibration to make tubes move up and down in a frame, generating power. The first place proposal won $20,000 in scholarship money. More than 300 ideas were received from virtually every university in the state. www.motivatemichigan.org
Pulte Homes, the nation’s largest home builder, is expanding its offering of solar power in its new home communities. Bloomfield Hills-based Pulte Group says its renewable energy strategy is unique, in that its solar offerings span the home builder’s diverse brand portfolio: from first-time buyers to move-up buyers to those in 55+ active adult communities.
University of Michigan has adopted LEED Silver certification as its standard for major new construction projects. The new policy builds upon an existing UM commitment to exceed by 30% ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007, giving the university one of the most rigorous collegiate construction standards in the nation. UM buildings that have already achieved LEED certification include the Gold LEED Dana Building, home of the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Silver LEED Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
GenShocks, can use the kinetic energy of bounces to generate watts, putting the electricity to use running a vehicle’s windshield wipers, fans or dashboard lights. The company making the devices indicate they can lower fuel consumption by 1-6% depending on the vehicle and road conditions. GenShocks are projected to be on the market in the second quarter of 2011. http://www.levantpower.com/.
DTE Music Theatre lawn seats won’t be the only thing that’s green this summer during the 2010 concert series. DTE Energy will pair up with its Green Currents program to provide the amphitheater with 100% renewable energy throughout the concert series. This is the third year that the Palace Sports & Entertainment will use 100% “green” energy.
East Michigan Chapter of AEE has been successful in getting the AEE to bring the CEM 5 day course to Michigan this fall. The CEM course and exam will be held at Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit on October 25–29. Space is limited, please sign up immediately! https://www.aeeprograms.com/seminars/calendar.htm
Energy Tidbits is free and is prepared by John Sarver, Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth. To subscribe, contact sarverj@michigan.gov. Previous copies can be found at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice under Publications.
By John Sarver of the Michigan DELEG.
Two New Centers of Energy Excellence (COEE) for wind manufacturing have been announced by Governor Granholm. The Michigan Strategic Fund board approved a COEE designation and $3.5 million in funding for Energetx Composites, the Holland-based spin-off of S2 Yachts, which will collaborate with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Dow Chemical to manufacture wind turbine blades with advanced materials.
The project will receive $3.5 million in matching funds from DOE. The MSF also approved a COEE designation and $6 million in funding for Astraeus Wind Energy, a cooperative venture between MAG Industrial Automation Systems and Dowding Machining, also in collaboration with ORNL and Dow Chemical. The center will be focused on the automated manufacturing of wind turbine blade components using advanced materials. The project will receive $7 million in matching funds from DOE.
www.MichiganAdvantage.org/COEE.
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) has announced that the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi will be the site for the 5th annual Michigan Energy Fair, taking place June 25th – 27th. The Fair will include 60 or more workshops and over 100 exhibits. If you want to learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy, come to the Fair. www.glrea.org
51st State of the State Survey conducted by the MSU Institute of Public Policy and Social Research shows that 95% of Michigan residents believe the development of renewable energy is “very important” or “somewhat important” to the state’s collective economic recovery. The MSU Land Policy Institute is translating the results of the survey conducted in early 2009 through a series of bulletins including “How Important is the Development of Renewable Energy to Michigan’s Economy Recovery?”
Merrill Tool & Machine is supplying components to Northern Power Systems for a new utility scale 2.2 MW direct drive, permanent magnet wind generator. In January the company secured $22 million in federal advanced energy manufacturing tax credits under ARRA which allowed the company to purchase equipment to make the components.
Michigan USDA Rural Development Agency will have approximately $11.4 million in total funding available through the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) for FY2010. $1 million will be available for grant requests greater than $20,000 and $830,000 will be available for grants less than $20,000. $9.6 million will be available for guaranteed loans. Grants provide 25% funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Applications are due June 30, 2010. Contact USDA Rural Development Business Programs at (517) 324-5157. Federal Register notice is at
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9580.pdf
Michigan State University students majoring in packaging, business, anthropology, or a host of other disciplines will now be able to earn a specialization in sustainability. The program is the first in the country that will use a “competency-based curriculum,” which will demand more from its students than just the taking and passing of classes. The specialization will provide students with practical experience, e.g. service/learning projects, undergraduate research, leadership of a student organization, or producing an educational video. The specialization will require 18 credit hours of study that will appear on students’ official transcripts and complement their majors. www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/ProgramDetail.asp?Program=5333.
Proposed LEED state tax incentives, Senate bills 1111-1114, would create two financial incentives for building green. The first would be a property tax abatement of up to 12 years for new or rehabilitated LEED buildings — 20% for basic LEED certification, 30% for silver, 40% for gold and 50% for platinum. The second incentive is a tax-increment financing program for LEED-certified buildings with eligible sustainability features on eligible brownfield sites.
Dow Chemical Co. has partnered with Cobblestone Homes, a mid-Michigan home builder, to create a home that it contends will eliminate utility bills. The 3,400-sq.ft. “Vision Zero” home in Bay City will produce as much energy as it consumes using Dow products, from Styrofoam to insulate the basement to Powerhouse Solar Shingles to generate power. The house will use 60-70% less energy than a conventional home.
Ventower Industries had qroundbreaking for a new wind tower manufacturing facility at the Port of Monroe. Manufacturing is expected to begin in March 2011 with a capacity of 250 towers per year. Shipments to customers are expected to be primarily by barge.
BuildUp Michigan Design Challenge has been won by the Lansing Community College Mac-Zero team who beat out six other teams. The winning design is a 3,075 sq.ft. Victorian-style house, lathered in solar panels according to team member Jeromy Clements. The team is working with competition organizers to get funding to build the “net-zero” home on Mackinac Island in the fall. http://www.wilx.com/local/headlines/93203849.html
Metro Detroit’s transformation to a smart grid got a big boost when DOE gave DTE Energy an $84 million grant to improve Metro Detroit’s electric grid. DTE will match the grant, bringing the SmartCurrent’s budget to $170 million. It will take 6-8 years to make the switch to a smart grid. Part of the smart grid switch will include installing 600,000 new smart meters in parts of Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, Lapeer, Ingham, and Tuscola counties. These meters allow for easier access to energy usage information through wireless communications. This and other technologies are expected to improve electrical service reliability and give better control of energy consumption and costs.
Wayne State University is adding a B.S. in Electric Transportation Technology, a M.S. in Electric-Drive Vehicle Engineering and a graduate certificate program in Electric-Drive Vehicle Engineering, a subset of the master’s degree. The program is funded by a $5 million grant from DOE through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
University of Michigan will receive a $760,550 grant from Bureau of Energy Systems, DELEG to establish the Michigan Industrial Energy Center (MIEC). The three year project for delivering energy savings to energy intensive industries in Michigan is funded by a DOE grant. The MIEC will offer an intensive energy education and certification program for current and future industrial energy managers, assist industries by conducting 25 Save Energy Now assessments, and help deploy energy-efficient furnace technology at two industrial demonstration sites. For more information contact Dr. Arvind Atreya at 734-647-4790 or aatreya@umich.edu.
Department of Natural Resources and Energy (DNRE) oil and gas lease auction held in May netted $178.3 million — a one-day sale that nearly matched the $190 million in total combined sales since the auctions began in 1929.
Michigan State University’s dairy barn at the Kellogg Biological Station has been silver-level LEED-certified—the first agriculture facility to earn the honor in the US. A few of the environmentally friendly features include a recycled concrete driveway and temperature sensors to take advantage of natural ventilation. The design includes installing showers (to encourage employees to bike or walk to work) and offering preferred parking to visitors with energy-efficient vehicles.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College will be offering for the third time a course where students design a 1-3 kW wind turbine, fabricate its components, assemble the generator, and make certain it produces electricity. Planning is underway to locate and commission the two turbines that were the products of the first classes. The sites will be in the vicinity of the 145-foot turbine in operation on the west end of the KVCC campus.
www.kvcc.edu/schedule.
University of Michigan will receive $4.3 million from DOE to pursue new nuclear energy technologies. The university’s funding is split into $1,181,379, $996,581 and $406,712 for separate research projects designed to develop next-generation nuclear reactors, $931,603 to research better ways to store, recycle and dispose of radioactive waste materials, and $798,943 for “blue sky” projects focusing on futuristic nuclear energy technologies.
Energy Tidbits is free and is prepared by John Sarver, Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth. To subscribe, contact sarverj@michigan.gov. Previous copies can be found at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice under Publications.
By John Sarver of the Michigan DELEG.
Governor Granholm was recognized by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Assoc. at the 2010 Michigan Wind Energy Conference with its first Leadership in Renewable Energy Award. The award recognized her tireless efforts to diversify the state’s economy by providing job-creating, clean-energy solutions for Michigan. It was also announced that all future leadership awards will be entitled the Granholm Leadership in Renewable Energy Award. In making the award, GLREA President Howard Edelson cited the enactment of a renewable portfolio standard, the use of federal Recovery Act funding to help four Michigan manufacturers to retool their facilities for the wind-energy sector, programs that have helped 100 Michigan companies to become part of wind manufacturing, and the No Worker Left Behind program that works with Michigan’s clean-energy companies to retrain Michigan workers.
Vice President Joe Biden has announced that Michigan will receive a $30 million Recovery Act grant to ramp up energy efficiency retrofits in Michigan homes, businesses, and public buildings. The Michigan Retrofit Ramp-up Initiative (MRRI) grant proposal was submitted by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth and Michigan SAVES on behalf of a collaborative group of Michigan entities including the cities of Detroit and Grand Rapids and the Michigan Suburbs Alliance. The $30 million for Michigan is the second largest award among the 25 retrofit ramp-up grants awarded to states and communities throughout the US.
http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-25676-231532–,00.html
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficient Technology Demonstration grants will provide matching funds to small businesses for projects that will demonstrate innovative renewable energy and energy efficient technologies not yet widely adopted in Michigan. A total of $1,500,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding is available with three to eight grant awards anticipated. Projects must be conducted in Michigan and completed by December 31, 2011. A 50% match is required. Preference will be given to projects partnering with Michigan university engineering departments or the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center. The deadline for submitting an application is May 21, 2010. www.michigan.gov/energyoffice
Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing grants and loans will provide $20 million to assist small manufacturing companies, currently located in Michigan, to diversify into high-growth clean energy sectors and invest in advanced manufacturing of renewable energy and energy efficiency systems and components. Renewable Energy applicantions are due on May 14, 2010 and Energy Efficiency applications are due on May 21, 2010. Any business physically located in Michigan with 500 or fewer full-time or equivalent employees, or a business that relocates to Michigan by the time of the award is eligible to apply. Energy Efficiency: www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/CEAM_Energy_Efficiency_RFP_318749_7.pdf
Renewable Energy: www.michigan.gov/documents/dleg/CEAM_Renewable_Energy_RFP_318752_7.pdf
AgriEnergy Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued by DELEG, Bureau of Energy Systems to promote low carbon agriculture through the adoption of green technologies and practices that will be implemented from energy audit/assessment recommendations. One statewide, Michigan based project will augment the Michigan Farm Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Assessment Program through: (1) development of an Energy module under the Farm*A*Syst risk assessment tools, and (2) additional agricultural audits/assessments. Up to $300,000 is available to Michigan universities. Deadline is May 7. www.michigan.gov/energyoffice
Michigan.2010 Michigan Green Leaders, recognized by the Detroit Free Press, represent a diverse group of individuals and organizations making a difference including the WARM Training Center and Crystal Mountain Resort, a Green Lodging Michigan Leader www.michigan.gov/greenlodging. Check out the 16 who are leading Michigan to an earth friendly future. http://freep.com/section/green01
First Michigan SAVES loans have been made in the Cherryland pilot which kicked off in February, with the cooperation of Michigan SAVES, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, Brown Lumber Installed Sales & Service (BLISS), and Members Credit Union. To date, 14 loans have been approved and there are 21 customer inquiries active in the queue. In this pilot, residential customers of Cherryland finance energy efficiency measures through a local credit union and pay back the loan on their Cherryland bill. BLISS walks the customer through the entire process and manages a network of contractors to make the energy-saving upgrades. Certified energy assessment professionals-many of whom received training through the local college-are currently conducting home energy assessments and recommending energy-saving improvements. Customers may also select from a list of pre-qualified measures. Customers can learn more and sign up by going to www.michiganSAVES.org/cherrylandpilot. If you would like Michigan SAVES updates, go to http://michigansaves.org/contact.cfm.
New Water Heater efficiency standards have been released by DOE. According to DOE, for most product sizes sold, the new standards can be met with modest changes, such as adding more insulation to today’s conventional tank-style water heaters. However, for the biggest products (those with over 55 gallons in storage capacity), the new standards can only be met with heat pump and condensing technology. Heat pump electric water heaters save at least 50% and gas condensing water heaters save about 25% relative to today’s conventional storage water heaters. The final rule also updates minimum standards for tankless water heaters, pool heaters, and direct heating equipment.
Energy & Innovation Summit 2010 will be held on May 18 & 19 at the Amway Grand in Grand Rapids. The Summit will help participants understand energy efficiency, building successful business models, and get practical advice on funding as well as implementing efficiency efforts. Attendees will learn what really works from global and national leaders. There will be an energy efficiency training seminar on May 20 for those implementing energy projects. www.energysummitonline.com/
Michigan has netted another $5 million in federal funds for clean energy job training. DELEG will receive almost $4.4 million to train 588 people to modernize the nation’s electrical grid and implement smart grid technologies in communities across the state. Northern Michigan University has received $673,000 to develop and enhance the newly established Electric Power Technician workforce training program, which will provide quality training for 40 entry-level technicians each year.
Windstream Wolfe Island Shoals Inc. has been awarded a feed-in-tariff contract by the Ontario Power Authority to develop an offshore wind project, most likely the first offshore wind project in the Great Lakes. The 300 MW site is located west of Wolfe Island in Lake Ontario on approximately 48,000 acres of shallow-water shoals.
General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant is where the Chevrolet Volt is being built. Production of the extended-range electric car begins in November. Three Volt cars have been built and GM expects to build fewer than 500 preproduction versions before production begins.
2010 Energy Conference and Expo will be held at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi on May 4, 7:30-3:00. The conference which is hosted by DTE Energy and Engineering Society of Detroit will feature the latest technology, business, and policy developments impacting the energy industry. http://ww2.esd.org/EVENTS/EnergyConf.htm
Annual Wind Industry Market Report from the American Wind Energy Association reports that over 10,000 MW of new wind power was installed in 2009, 36 states now have utility-scale wind projects, Iowa leads in terms of percentage of electricity getting 14% of its power from wind, 85,000 people are employed in the wind industry, 205 educational programs offer a certificate, degree, or coursework related to wind energy, and demand for small wind systems for residential and small business use (100 kW or less) grew 15% in 2009. www.awea.org
Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Workshop and Expo will be held in New Troy from 9-4 on Saturday, May 8. In addition to providing information and resources on wind, solar, biofuels, and geothermal energy, this year’s event will focus on affordable technologies and projects and renewable energy careers. Also new this year will be a panel of landowners who have renewable energy on their property. www.regroupmi.org/expo.htm.
The Rosenfeld – named after the “father of energy efficiency” – will help standardize references to “energy saved”, rather than such variable calculations as “avoided powerplants” or “cars off the road.” The announcement took place at a special symposium honoring Dr. Rosenfeld at the University of California Davis. The Rosenfeld is equivalent to the following: coal plant capacity of 500 MW, capacity factor of 70%, and systemwide T&D losses of 7% . This combination of parameters would yield annual electricity delivered at the meter of about 3 BkWh/year. Using the carbon burden for US utility coal and the efficiency of average existing coal steam plants, the emissions saved are almost exactly 3 million metric tons of CO2 per year.
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) has announced that the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi will be the site for the 5th annual Michigan Energy Fair, taking place June 25th – 27th. www.glrea.org
Green Living Options, an education and demonstration center, opened to the public on Earth Day. This center has examples of green construction techniques including advanced framing, insulating concrete forms, structurally insulated panels, and geothermal heating/cooling. GLO has planned several classes designed for homeowners and contractors. www.promotegreen.biz
Energy Tidbits is free and is prepared by John Sarver, Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth. To subscribe, contact sarverj@michigan.gov. Previous copies can be found at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice under Publications.
Prepared by John Sarver of the Michigan DELEG.
2010 Michigan Wind Energy Conference will be held in Detroit at Cobo Hall on April 20-21. Workshop tracks will include Building a Wind Farm, Small Wind, Siting, Finance, Manufacturing, Community Wind, and Policy. If you’re interested in any aspect of wind energy, don’t miss it. www.glrea.org
ARRA (American Recovery & Reinvestment Act) federal funding opportunities can be found at http://www.michiganadvantage.org/Recovery/Opportunities/Default.aspx and www.michigan.gov/energyoffice.
MI Earth Day Fest will be held April 23rd-25th in downtown Rochester. With an anticipated audience of 100,000, it will easily be Michigan’s largest earth day celebration, and one of the largest in the country. The festival will highlight what’s working in our communities and showcase leadership in green business, government and non-profit programs. The event will offer 200+ green and wellness exhibits, top-notch presentations, lively music & entertainment, organic food and drink, kids’ crafts & activities, a portable farm, free massage and wellness activities, door prizes and samples, networking, and more. Special activities include a parade (Sat 10am), a 5K trail run (Sun 10am) and an evening-hours Party for the Planet (Fri & Sat 7-11pm). A Preview Party will be held on Earth Day (7-9pm), where comedian Dave Coulier will act as emcee, and several dignitaries, including DELEG Deputy Director Andy Levin, will speak. And, MI Earth Day Award recipients, including Green Lodging Michigan certified Royal Park Hotel, will be honored. Dr. Kevin Danaher, founder of Global Exchange and the Green Festivals, will be on-hand to offer both public presentations and a community leader roundtable. Admission is free and open to the public. www.miearthday.com
2010 Michigan Energy Conference will be held at Ferris State University on
April 7-8. The conference will consist of one day of focused workshops and one day of technical breakout sessions. Sessions will cover energy policy, building efficiencies, renewable energy, transportation and energy distribution. www.ferris.edu/energy
West Michigan Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (WMAEE) will hold its next meeting at the Big Rapids Holiday Inn on April 7, 5 to 6:30 pm. Presentation will be on MI PA 295 – State of Michigan Energy Optimization Energy Incentive Program. http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=199971
The Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council, a 29-member advisory body appointed by Governor Granholm to recommend policies for offshore wind energy development, is hosting 3 public meetings to get input. The first meeting was held in Bay City on March 25. Future meetings will be in Escanaba on April 14 and Muskegon on May 4. The Council issued a report in September 2009 with criteria for identifying the least and most favorable areas for offshore development. For example, the most favorable areas must be at least six miles offshore and avoid shipping lanes, sensitive fish and wildlife habitats, etc. The five largest most favorable areas are located in southern Lake Michigan near Berrien County, northern Lake Michigan near Delta and Mackinac Counties, outer Saginaw Bay, and Lake Huron near Sanilac County. In addition, the council has provided input on a proposed legislative framework for the siting and regulation of offshore wind energy systems. www.michiganglowcouncil.org.
13th Sustainable Business Conference of Michigan: Creating Connections: Revitalizing Michigan will be held April 28-30th at the Grand Traverse Resort. The hosts this year are Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum & Grand Traverse Resort with assistance from West, Southwest, & Southeast Michigan sustainable business forums. The focus of this conference is to highlight and learn from Michigan sustainable businesses – manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. www.nwmsbf.org
Detroit Edison is looking for several businesses and educational institutions with large rooftops or ground area to host solar energy installations. The utility is starting another aspect of its pilot SolarCurrents program that calls for photovoltaic systems installed on customer rooftops or property to generate 15 MW of electricity. Detroit Edison plans to invest more than $100 million in the program, which requires customers to participate for 20 years. The solar energy systems will be owned, installed, operated and maintained by the utility. In return, customers will get an annual credit on their energy bill based on the system size, as well as a one-time, upfront construction payment to cover any inconvenience during installation. The utility is accepting applications until April 29. Interested participants should own a facility with 15,000 square feet of unobstructed roof in good condition or a similarly sized area on the ground. www.dteenergy.com/solar
Padnos Iron & Metal Co in Holland. is now operating one of the largest solar energy installations in Michigan, 636 panels and 150 kW. As part of Consumers Energy’s Experimental Advanced Renewable Program, the power company will buy back the generated power for 12 years at a preferred rate. After that, power will be fed directly into the building’s use. The Padnos company’s $1.27 million investment should be paid back in eight or nine years.
ASHRAE has published ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Published January 22, the standard is intended to be adopted into local codes. It covers site sustainability, water-use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources. The energy efficiency goal of Standard 189.1 is to provide significant energy reduction over that in ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007.
http://bcap-ocean.org/category/topics/ashrae-standard-1891
Worldwide Tour of Renewable Energy Applications on Islands will be supported by an anonymous benefactor. Planned tour sites will include Lime Island (MI), Fox Island (Maine), Samso (Denmark), El Hierro (Spain), Fiji, and Maui & Hawaii. First twenty persons who contact me at sarverj@michigan.gov will receive a free trip.
Ford Motor Co. will save $1.2 million and cut its carbon output by 16,000 to 25,000 metric tons annually by powering down laptops and desktop computers when not in use. Under a new program called PC Power Management, the power settings on Windows laptops and desktop computers are centrally controlled to reduce energy waste and optimize software updates. A managed shutdown of computer systems not in use, especially overnight and on weekends, further reduces energy use.
$24,950 Bioenergy Feasibility Study grant has been awarded to Michigan State University Extension by Bureau of Energy Systems. This grant will explore the feasibility of growing, harvesting and utilizing bioenergy crops on nontraditional croplands, including Michigan roadways, vacant urban lots and State owned tracts of land. For more information, contact Charles Gould gouldm@msu.edu
31st Annual Telly Awards, a national program recognizing outstanding achievement in the TV, commercial and video industry, has a bronze award for the July 2009 episode of “Michigan’s Energy Future Today” hosted by DELEG Deputy Director Liesl Clark. This episode featured advances in solar energy.
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) has announced that the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi will be the site for the 5th annual Michigan Energy Fair, taking place June 25th – 27th. www.glrea.org
April Fools if you think you’re getting a free worldwide tour! However, if you’re a potential anonymous benefactor send me a note. Energy Tidbits is free and is prepared by John Sarver, Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth. To subscribe, contact sarverj@michigan.gov. Previous copies can be found at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice under Publications.
2010 Michigan Energy Conference will be held at Ferris State University on April 7-8. The conference will consist of one day of focused workshops and one day of technical breakout sessions. Sessions will cover energy policy, building efficiencies, renewable energy, transportation and energy distribution. www.ferris.edu/energy
Michigan Renewable Energy Companies worked together to provide solar power for water purification units for the Haiti relief effort. Turtle Island Wind & Solar out of Cassopolis donated Michigan made rollup Unisolar panels, Inovateus Solar out of South Bend donated fixed frame Unisolar panels and Four Elements Energy out of Lawrence donated USA made charge controllers for powering water purification units built by Kalamazoo based “Clean Water For The World”. Four Elements Energy is also providing consultation and engineering assistance in the integration of the solar panel, charge controller and battery components with the water purification unit.
CFL Know How, a new web site from Michigan GREEN, is a comprehensive source for information on compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). It was made possible by a grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission. www.cflknowhow.org
Van Jones will be the keynote speaker at the Urban Green Summit: Empowering Urban Citizens through Green Education and Employment on March 25-26 at Double Tree Hotel in downtown Detroit. The Summit is hosted by Highland Park NAACP, University of Phoenix, and Rainbow Push Detroit. http://www.ourgreenation.com/home
Three U-M grad students behind the start-up Enertia just won the Clean Energy Prize sponsored by the University of Michigan and DTE Energy. One of the first things the team will do with its new $50,000 in prize money is buy one of the students a new laptop. Enertia has developed plans for a device that can harness vibrations to power small electronics, such as remote sensors and surgically implanted medical equipment. The students expect to spend the next two years completing the R&D, perfecting the prototype and working out production, distribution and marketing details. Most of the $50,000 will be spent on proving the technology and preparing it for mass production. The Clean Energy Prize is in its second year. This year a total of 32 teams from six universities in Michigan made a go at it.
Be a Part of EARTH HOUR – A Global Event on Climate Change on March 27. The State of Michigan is one of many partners that will participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Last year, 80 million Americans and 318 U.S. cities officially voted for action with their light switch, joining landmarks from around the world that went dark for Earth Hour, Las including Empire State Building, Broadway Theater Marquees, UnitedVegas Nations Headquarters, and Golden Gate Bridge. Strip, http://www.myearthhour.org/
Go Green Dealership Sustainability Program has been launched by Ford. The idea is to work with dealerships to implement energy efficient technologies and upgrades to save them money, improve their image, and shrink their carbon footprint. Ford is partnering with the Rocky Mountain Institute to help develop the pilot program which now includes 3 dealers. One of the participating dealerships has developed a system where rainwater is incorporated into its car wash.
Energy Center of Wisconsin (ECW) has come out with an interesting new tool, a calculator that allows users to interact with building energy components and explore the effect of changing components and other parameters of commercial building projects. Not intended for design use, this learning tool can help users understand how building systems interact and how changes can influence energy consumption. Check out the calculator at http://www.ecw.org/project.php?workid=12&resultid=286
Consumers Energy has begun its second year of energy efficiency programs. More than 1500 commercial and industrial customers participated in the first year and received $5.6 million in incentive payments. New incentives for 2010 include: 1) LED incentives for parking lot, garage, and street lights, 2) LED interior lighting incentives, 3) network power management computer software, and 4) new construction project measures. www.consumersenergy.com
$1,686,370 in Low Income & Energy Efficiency Grants has been awarded by the MPSC. Grand Valley State University, Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, in partnership with the University of Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute will receive $1,336,370 to conduct studies to explore the feasibility of deployment of offshore wind technologies in Lake Michigan. Superior Watershed Partnership will receive $350,000 to conduct studies to explore the feasibility of deployment of offshore wind technologies in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
MSUFCU’s East Lansing headquarters has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council for achieving LEED gold certification. The construction of the project diverted 2,597,680 tons of waste from landfill by recycling concrete, brick, asphalt paving, wood, cardboard, scrap metal, drywall and some plastics. 83% of the roof is covered with an Energy Star rated roofing product that helps reduce the heat island effect. The building has reduced total potable water consumption by 40% through the use of low-flow lavatory and kitchen sinks, dual-flush toilets and waterless urinals. The irrigation system has a potable water savings of 69% through the use of rain sensors, flow meters, drip irrigation, high efficiency spray heads and the use of captured rainwater. The energy model predicts a 33.5% savings over a standard code-built building which equals an annual savings of over $42,750 in electricity and natural gas. 84% of building occupants have access to daylight in their own workspace.
8th Annual Renewable Energy Conference will be held on Saturday, March 20 at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. Attendees can choose from a variety of break-out sessions including Renewable Energy in Your Home, Food Security and Local Foods in Michigan, Peak Oil and the Future of Transportation, and Financing your Renewable Energy System. www.cedarcreekinstitute.org
Energy Tidbits is free and is prepared by John Sarver, Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth. To subscribe, contact sarverj@michigan.gov. Previous copies can be found at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice under Publications.
by John Sarver of the Michigan DELEG
$17.4 million in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) has been awarded to 125 cities, villages, townships, and counties to support local energy efficiency projects. DELEG’s Bureau of Energy Systems (BES) has two separate programs: 1) Multi-purpose competitive grants for smaller communities will support energy efficiency measures, 2) Light Emitting Diode/Solid State Lighting (LED/SSL) competitive grants will fund demonstrations of LED/SSL technology in various applications such as exterior parking, street and traffic lighting. State EECBG grant awards generally range from $50,000 to $140,000 for single cities, townships, or villages and up to $650,000 for single counties and multi-jurisdictional recipients. Selected projects and funding amounts at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice.
Center for Climate Strategies has completed an analysis that indicates the Michigan Climate Action Plan – if fully implemented – would create 129,000 new jobs over the next 15 years. The plan’s 54 recommendations call for greater use of renewable energy and more conservation in sectors such as industrial, farming and transportation. The center’s analysis also predicts a $25 billion net gain in the gross state product and lower prices for energy sources such as electricity, gasoline, fuel oil and natural gas.
General Motors has manufactured the first advanced lithium-ion battery for the Chevrolet Volt at GM’s Brownstown Battery Pack Assembly Plant. GM announced last August a $43 million investment to prepare the 160,000 sq.ft. plant for production of lithium-ion battery packs for the Volt and other electric vehicles.
Two Michigan Regions have been designated by the MPSC as wind energy resource zones. MPSC is required to base its decision based on the findings of the Wind Energy Resource Zone Board, which submitted its final report (http://www.michigan.gov/windboard) on Oct. 15, 2009. MPSC designated as the primary wind energy resource zone an area that includes parts of Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties. It also designated parts of Allegan County as an additional wind energy resource zone. The MPSC also submitted to the Michigan legislature its report on the impact of setback requirements and noise limitations in the wind zones and recommended that decisions about setback distances and noise levels be made by local planning and zoning authorities. MPSC will also expand the role of the Wind Working Group, which will review current scientific information on the process for determining setbacks.
Alternative Energy Conference: Creating Solutions; Driving Change sponsored by The Engineering Society of Detroit will be held on March 3 at the DoubleTree Dearborn. The conference will look at Michigan’s opportunities and challenges in becoming a “hub” for alternative energy. Hear about Success Stories & Opportunities, Global and National Policy Benchmarking, VC and funding, technology, education and training, and much more. www.esd.org
MPSC annual net metering program report shows that the number of net metering customers in Michigan has more than doubled from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The MPSC in May last year adopted net metering and interconnection rules for small, renewable electric generation projects onsite. The report said the number of net metering customers increased from 53 in 2007/08 to 137 in 2008/09. Wind proved the most popular with the number of installations increasing from 29 to 96 during the period, while solar installations increased from 23 to 39. www.michigan.gov/netmetering
8th Annual Renewable Energy Conference will be held on Saturday, March 20 at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. The conference is ideal for homeowners, renewable energy enthusiasts, and students who wish to learn something new and meet other individuals that are interested in promoting and using renewable and alternative energy technologies. This year’s keynote speaker, Pat Murphy, will present Beyond Sustainability – Surviving the Oil Depletion and Climate Change with Community Solutions’ Plan C. Attendees can choose from a variety of break-out sessions including Renewable Energy in Your Home, Food Security and Local Foods in Michigan, Peak Oil and the Future of Transportation, and Financing your Renewable Energy System. www.cedarcreekinstitute.org
U.S. Department of Labor has awarded SER Metro-Detroit, Jobs for Progress, Inc. and the International Training Institute for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Industry approximately $5.3 Million in Energy Training Partnership grants. Approximately $4.3 million has been awarded to SER Metro-Detroit, Jobs for Progress, Inc. to coordinate several partnerships to provide academic, occupational and on-the-job skills training plus employment or apprenticeship opportunities and support services to 340 people in Wayne County. The International Training Institute for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Industry will utilize about $1 million to prepare 240 unemployed and incumbent sheet metal workers for careers in energy efficient building construction, retrofitting, and manufacturing through a series of customized training courses.
Architectural Resource and Meadowlark Builders will present a “Behind the Drywall Tour” of their new home at 4675 Arkona Road in Saline. The house is near zero energy and features solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and other advanced elements. The highly unusual and specialized building envelope of the home is made to capture and store heat on cold winter days and to remain cool and dry in the summer. A guided tour will take place every hour-on-the-hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Saturday, Feb. 13th. Each tour can accommodate up to 30 people. Since this is a construction site, boots and appropriate winter attire should be worn. Interested parties can signup for the tour by going to www.behindthedrywall.com or calling (734) 332-1500.
2010 Michigan Wind Energy Conference hosted by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Assoc. will be held April 20th & 21st at COBO Hall in Detroit. In 2009, the Michigan Wind Energy Conference was the largest Michigan wind event and showcased over 25 wind industry companies, 1500 attendees and two days of presentations on manufacturing, financing, off-shore development, policy and more. www.glrea.org
First class of Energy Auditors at Glen Oaks Community College graduated Dec. 17. The Energy Auditor/Workplace Readiness training program was funded with a $100,000 grant made possible through the Kalamazoo-St. Joseph County Michigan Works! and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Instruction in the GOCC Business Development Center came from professional trainers and energy consultants/trainers. The program is part of a state-wide effort to retrain displaced workers in “green” energy-related occupations. If you are looking to hire any energy auditors, contact Brandi at Building Science Academy 616-887-2311.
West Michigan Chapter of the Assoc. of Energy Engineers will have its first meeting of 2010 on Feb. 2, 11:30-1:00 at Bobarino’s and include a tour of the Veolia Energy Steam Plant. http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=197242
Michigan Businesses won $242 million in tax credits as part of a White House effort to create 17,000 green manufacturing technology jobs through a total of $2.3 billion in tax credits. The tax credits awarded to 183 firms provide a 30% write-off for building advanced technology equipment such as wind turbines, batteries and solar panels. Among the Michigan companies was Hemlock Semiconductor, which got $142 million to make solar components — the largest single award. Other Michigan tax incentives include: $27 million to Dow Corning to build a new monosilane facility, $22 million to Merrill Technologies Group to help buy advanced manufacturing equipment to support the production of components for Northern Power’s new 2.2 MWwind turbines, $17.8 million to Dow Chemical to produce photovoltaic cells, $9.8 million to Stirling Energy Systems to produce azimuth drives used to track the sun for the SunCatcher, a 25 kW solar dish, $1.3 million to Great Lakes Industry to produce components for wind turbines, $1.3 million to Ilumisys to automate production of LED replacements for fluorescent lights, $2.7 million to Guardian Industries to produce unique low-iron pattern glass used in solar applications, $300,000 to Rogers Foam Automotive to manufacture a component to be used in the thermal management system of lithium ion battery assemblies for vehicles, and $2.6 million to Ventower Industries to become a full service manufacturer of wind turbine towers.
Michigan’s Largest Earth Day event is being planned for April 23-25. The MI Earth Day Fest will welcome to downtown Rochester an anticipated audience of 100,000 people from around Michigan, eager to learn about green and healthy living. Businesses and organizations are invited to participate and gain the benefits of exposure, recognition, sales, community service, networking and association with this high-profile, family-friendly event’s Earth Day message. For information about sponsoring, exhibiting, presenting or volunteering, visit www.miearthday.com or contact Steve Rogge at steve@trigreen.biz or 248-535-9390.
Energy Tidbits is free and is prepared by John Sarver, Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth. To subscribe, contact sarverj@michigan.gov. Previous copies can be found at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice under Publications.
MPSC Press Release – January 19, 2010
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) staff today filed its annual net metering program report, which shows that the number of net metering customers in Michigan has more than doubled from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
“The number of net metering electric customers who have added small, renewable energy electric generation projects onsite has more than doubled,” noted MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu. “That demonstrates the high interest electric customers have in producing electricity from renewable sources at their homes and businesses.”
The MPSC in May last year adopted net metering and interconnection rules for small, renewable electric generation projects onsite, as required by Public Act 295 of 2008. The report issued today said the number of net metering customers increased from 53 in the 2007-2008 year to 137 in the 2008-2009 period. Wind proved the most popular with the number of installations increasing from 29 to 96 during the period, while solar installations increased from 23 to 39 during the same time period. Customers are located throughout the state.
The entire report is available on the MPSC’s Web site michigan.gov/netmetering (http://www.michigan.gov/netmetering).
The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.
The press release below was published by the DELEG and MPSC the other day. This is very important for those of you with PV systems or those planning to install them.
Consumers Energy is pleased to announce the recent approval of the Company’s proposed Experimental Advanced Renewable Program (“EARP”). The Michigan Public Service Commission recently approved the plan as part of the Company’s renewable energy plan filing, and the rate AR tariff was approved on June 3rd. Per our approved tariff, the new Rate AR program will commence on August 27, 2009, and work is underway to make the necessary changes to our internal processes to accommodate this new program. The company expects that we will be able to begin accepting interconnection applications for EARP systems after July 1, 2009.
The program offers the following rates for energy produced by qualifying Solar Photovoltaic systems:
For residential systems available in 2009, the approved rate is $0.65/kWh. For residential systems available in 2010, the approved rate is $0.525/kWh.
For nonresidential systems available in 2009, the approved rate is $0.45/kWh. For nonresidential systems available in 2010, the approved rate is $0.375/kWh.
The rates paid to participant systems will be fixed under contract for up to 12 years. Residential systems must have a name plate capacity of at least 1 kW, with a maximum size of 150 kW. Commercial systems must have a minimum nameplate capacity of 20 kW, with a maximum size of 150 kW. Systems equipped with a battery back up system or other energy storage system will not be allowed to participate under the EARP pilot. All net energy produced by the solar energy system must be delivered to the utility, and the utility will own any Renewable Energy Credits and Capacity associated with the system. Any energy consumed by the system during periods of non-operation will be billed at an appropriate retail rate, with all associated taxes and fees. Participants will also be assessed a System Access Charge for the EARP service that is equivalent to the existing distribution account used to qualify for the program.
To qualify for the program, participants must be Consumers Energy customers with an existing distribution account in good standing. The solar PV system must also be installed on the premises of the existing account or on an adjacent property owned or leased by the account holder. Installed systems must be manufactured in Michigan or constructed by a Michigan Work force to qualify.
To enroll in the EARP pilot, customers will follow the existing interconnection process, documentation and instructions for which are currently being revised to conform with the State’s new interconnection rules. If any new distribution facilities outside of a new overhead service are required to connect an EARP system, the costs will be charged as a non-refundable participant contribution. Upgrades to existing distribution facilities will be covered by the MPSC’s interconnection rules as set forth in U-15787.
The Experimental Advanced Renewable Program pilot has a capacity limit of 2,000 kW of installed nameplate capacity, with 500 kW reserved for residential customers. Participants will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. To prevent unqualified applicants from blocking space in the EARP queue, participants will have 45 calendar days after being notified that all necessary review of their application is complete to show qualified evidence that they have the resources necessary to construct the project. While an unqualified participant will not be removed from the interconnection process at 45 days, they will be moved to the end of the line for EARP participation until it can be shown that the resources to proceed with the project are available. While payments under Rate AR can not begin until August 27th, interested parties may begin reserving space in the queue by emailing AR_Tariff_Inquiries@cmsenergy.com and providing the name and address of the existing Consumers Energy account holder, the location the system will be installed, the proposed size of the system, and the expected rate class.
If there are any questions or concerns, please direct inquiries to AR_Tariff_Inquiries@cmsenergy.com.
June 2, 2009
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved a modified version of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company’s proposed energy optimization (EO) plan and surcharges, as required by Public Act 295 of 2008.
Under the approved, modified EO plan, the utility is authorized to implement its EO surcharge beginning June 3 and thereafter. The company originally requested a surcharge that would result in approximately $1.12 per month for the average residential natural gas customer using 100 hundred cubic feet (ccf). However, because the company has been directed to make changes to its proposed EO plan, the exact amount of the surcharge is unknown at this time, but it will be less than what the utility originally requested.
Today’s order excludes from the surcharge uncollectibles that the company sought to include. Uncollectibles associated with the EO plan will be addressed in Mich Con’s next general rate case.
In addition, the MPSC noted that Mich Con’s proposed financial incentive mechanism is not proportional with additional energy savings above the statutory targets. Therefore, the Commission is giving parties to this case 30 days to file new proposed financial incentive mechanisms.
The collaborative established in Case No. U-15805 et al. that includes the participation of all electric and natural gas providers subject to the MPSC’s jurisdiction under Public Act 295 will also evaluate Mich Con’s EO program. Energy efficiency experts, equipment installers, and other interested stakeholders have also been encouraged to participate in the collaborative.
The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.
June 2, 2009
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved a modified version of The Detroit Edison Company’s proposed renewable energy plan (REP) and its energy optimization (EO) plan and surcharges, as required by Public Act 295 of 2008.
The REP proposed by Detroit Edison will substantially increase the amount of electricity provided to its customers from renewable sources. The EO plan will make energy optimization opportunities available to all Detroit Edison customers. The overall result will be a significant reduction in the amount of electricity generated and used in Michigan from fossil fuel sources.
Detroit Edison plans to develop 609 megawatts (MW) of renewable electric sources, including 565 MW from wind. In addition, it plans to purchase 686 MW of renewable resources. Detroit Edison also expects to save 6,633 gigawatt-hours of electricity over then EO plan’s lifetime.
In today’s order the MPSC said that the utility’s REP filing was incomplete because it failed to provide a reasonably detailed description of its Requests for Proposal (RFP) and bid evaluation process. Therefore, the MPSC directed the utility to consult with the MPSC staff and to file testimony and exhibits to correct the REP deficiency within 14 days.
In addition, the MPSC found:
· uncollectibles costs are not reasonable REP program costs; and
· tire fractionation does not qualify as a “renewable energy resource” under PA 295.
Under the approved, modified REP, the utility is authorized to implement its REP surcharge beginning Sept. 1 and thereafter. Residential customers will see a monthly REP surcharge of $3. The costs of the REP were found to be less than the cost of a new electric plant using fossil fuels.
Under the approved, modified EO plan, the utility is authorized to implement its EO surcharge beginning June 3 and thereafter. Every dollar spent on the EO plan will result in an average savings of $4.60. The company originally requested a surcharge that would result in approximately 64 cents per month for the average residential electric customer using 500 kilowatt-hours. However, because the company has been directed to make changes to its proposed EO plan, the exact amount of the surcharge is unknown at this time, but it will be less than what the utility requested.
Today’s order excludes from the EO surcharge uncollectibles that the company sought to include. Uncollectibles associated with the EO plan will be addressed in Detroit Edison’s next general rate case.
In addition, the MPSC noted that Detroit Edison’s proposed financial incentive mechanism is not proportional with additional energy savings above the statutory targets. Therefore, the Commission is giving parties to this case 30 days to file new proposed financial incentive mechanisms.
The collaborative established in Case No. U-15805 et al. that includes the participation of all electric and natural gas providers subject to the MPSC’s jurisdiction under Public Act 295 will also evaluate Detroit Edison’s EO program. Energy efficiency experts, equipment installers, and other interested stakeholders have also been encouraged to participate in the collaborative.
The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.
