The U.S. Department of Energy today announced 15 research and deployment partnerships to help dramatically improve the energy efficiency of American homes. These highly-qualified, multidisciplinary teams will receive a total of up to $30 million for the initial eighteen months of the projects to deliver innovative energy efficiency strategies to the residential market and address barriers to bringing high-efficiency homes within reach for all Americans. A total of up to $20 million per year will also be made available for the partnerships for three potential one-year extensions. These research and deployment partnerships will provide technical assistance to retrofit projects and will leverage industry expertise and funding to support DOE’s energy efficiency retrofit programs. This effort will support the Department’s Retrofit Ramp-Up initiative, announced by Vice President Joe Biden in April, which brings communities, governments, private sector companies and non-profit organizations together to deliver energy-efficiency upgrades—or retrofits—to whole neighborhoods and cities.

“Home energy efficiency is one of the easiest, most immediate and most cost-effective ways to reduce carbon pollution and save money on energy bills, while creating new jobs,” said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. “By developing and using tools to reduce residential energy use, we will spur economic growth here in America and help homeowners make cost-cutting improvements in their homes.”

The partnerships announced today will provide additional support to ongoing retrofit initiatives that are making cost-effective energy efficiency retrofits easily accessible to hundreds of thousands of American homes and businesses. These partnerships will research and deploy new technologies and demonstration projects, and provide systems engineering, quality assurance, and outreach for retrofit projects throughout the country.

Existing techniques and technologies in energy efficiency retrofitting—such as air-tight ducts, windows and doors, heating and cooling systems, insulation and caulking—can reduce energy use by up to 40% per home and cut energy bills by $40 billion annually.

The following selections were made though the DOE Building Technologies Program, which forges research partnerships across the residential building industry to develop cost-effective solutions that dramatically reduce the average energy use of housing while improving comfort and quality. To find out more, visit the Buildings Technology Program Web site.

To further support the broad deployment of energy efficiency building retrofits, DOE is hosting the Residential Building Energy Efficiency Meeting 2010 in Denver, Colorado from July 20-22, to present cutting-edge research results, identify key stakeholder and market transformation needs, and facilitate collaboration opportunities between conference participants. This conference is targeted to researchers, architects, contractors, manufacturers, builders, utilities, legislators, lenders, realtors, auditors, raters, installation technicians, HOA representatives, and anyone else interested in creating substantial connections with the field.

The following is a brief description of the selected teams, which will each receive between $500,000 and $2.5 million depending on their performance:

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=370

The Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the launch of a technical assistance program that will support projects funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through DOE’s State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG). Funded with up to $25 million under the Recovery Act, the program will provide states, cities, and tribes with the tools and resources they need to implement successful and sustainable renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and solar systems, and deploy cost-effective, clean, and reliable energy-saving technologies in buildings and infrastructure nationwide. The Technical Assistance Program (TAP)—which is jointly-funded with EECBG and SEP Recovery Act funds—will accelerate project execution, improve program performance, and increase the return on Recovery Act investments. This effort is another way that the Department is creating green jobs, making homes and businesses more energy efficient, and installing renewable energy systems across America.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=367

Picture a neighborhood block somewhere in your town. It might have single-story homes for 10 families—complete with front porches, sidewalks, and green lawns. Or instead that block might have a single apartment building that houses 50 families over five floors. What we know is that each of the families—whether they’re living in a detached house or a mid-rise apartment—pays away some of their hard-earned dollars to pay for energy. And for many low-income Americans, these energy bills absorb a significant amount of the family income.

Now imagine that teams of trained experts come down that block and install measures to help those families save energy. Insulation, caulking, weatherstripping, windows, better furnaces, or water heaters. So families’ energy bills go down and their comfort goes up. We call this “weatherization”—and it’s happening in more than 82,000 homes as part of the Recovery Summer.

So picture that—what does 82,000 homes look like? That’s a lot of houses. And how do the 82,000 families with lower energy bills and improved comfort feel? I’ll bet given these challenging economic times they’re resting a bit more easily. This could not be achieved without the determined and committed hard work of more than 900 community action agencies and state weatherization agencies nationwide. Twelve states have now weatherized more than 30% of the homes they planned to complete under the Recovery Act, marking a major milestone in this effort to make American households more energy efficient. This video expresses my personal gratitude for the hard work that has made our remarkable progress to weatherize America possible.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=365

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.

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced awards totaling more than $76 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support advanced energy-efficient building technology projects and the development of training programs for commercial building equipment technicians, building operators, and energy auditors.

The 58 projects selected today will help make the nation’s buildings more energy efficient and cost-effective. They will also support programs to train workers to service and operate new and existing buildings, to develop and deploy best practices resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and to establish a green workforce with technical expertise to reduce energy costs for consumers.

“These projects will help the United States lead the world in advancing energy-efficient technologies,” Secretary Chu said. “Energy-efficient commercial buildings will help our country cut its carbon emissions and energy costs while the training programs will upgrade the skills of the current workforce and attract the next generation to careers in the emerging clean-energy economy.”

The Department of Energy also released today a new video that showcases the story of Greensburg, Kansas, a town devastated by a tornado in 2007, which came back to be one of the nation’s most energy-efficient, sustainable communities. Many of the town’s government buildings use cutting-edge energy-saving technologies, such as high-efficiency windows, lighting, and heating and ventilation systems, saving local taxpayer money. Greensburg has shown that any city can reach its energy efficiency and renewable energy goals today using widely available technologies. View the video to see how Greensburg was able to “build green.”

The nation’s 114 million households and more than 74 million square feet of commercial floor space account for approximately 40% of U.S. primary energy consumption, as well as 39% of carbon dioxide, 18% of nitrogen oxides, and 55% of sulfur dioxide emissions. These projects will help lower the energy demands and emissions of commercial buildings and promote a specialized, energy-efficient buildings workforce.

Advanced Energy-Efficient Building Technology Projects

These 45 awards for advanced energy-efficient building technology projects will receive over $68.4 million and will be leveraged with more than $31.4 million in funding from private industry, for a total project value of nearly $100 million. Projects have been selected in the following five areas:

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=356

Cash for Caulkers – The Definitive Guide To The Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010

“Cash for Caulkers” is nearly here. Last month the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5019 – also known as the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 or “Cash for Caulkers” – to kick-start construction, create jobs and cut back carbon emissions. While the bill still needs to clear the Senate, supporters predict it will pass this summer.

This is great news for homeowners and contractors alike. The bill provisions $6 billion for energy-efficient or “green” retrofits. It is expected to fund renovations for 3 million families, create 168,000 new jobs and save consumers $9.2 billion on energy bills over the next 10 years.

But in order to cash in on upcoming rebates, homeowners and contractors will need to do their homework. There are 13 types of retrofits eligible for funding. Each retrofit has unique eligibility requirements and set rebate amounts. You can read the full text here.

We made it really easy to wade through the legalese. Below is a table that breaks down the 13 retrofits of the bill, along with the requirements and rebate amount for each. In addition to the requirements we listed, each retrofit must comply with Building Performance Institute (BPI) standards or other procedures to be approved by the Secretary of Energy.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that 20 communities have been selected for more than $60 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to implement local energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that will reduce energy use by American homes, vehicles, and businesses. Local governments, nonprofit organizations, and quasi-governmental organizations are among the recipients for the competitive grants, administered under the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program.

“These projects will stimulate the economy and create jobs on the main streets of local communities across the nation through innovative investments in energy conservation, efficiency, and renewable power generation,” said Under Secretary of Energy Kristina Johnson. “We already have proven technologies to reduce energy use at home and at work. These projects will provide access to those tools for more Americans, saving money for thousands of families and businesses.”

These awards were open to local communities that were not eligible to receive the initial, population-based formula grants under the EECBG program. The projects announced today will continue to build on the Recovery Act’s historic down-payment for a clean energy future, empowering local communities to address their clean energy priorities through projects such as residential, commercial, and municipal energy efficiency retrofits, efficiency improvements to transportation systems, and installations of renewable energy systems to reduce fossil fuel consumption.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=352

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that 34 projects in 27 states have been selected to receive $29 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to develop and expand weatherization training centers across the country. These projects will provide green job training for local workers in energy efficiency retrofitting and weatherization services. With this training, skilled workers can help expand the use of energy efficient practices in America’s homes and businesses.

“A well-trained workforce will be a crucial part of America’s clean energy economy in the years ahead,” said Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman. “These investments in efficiency training programs will help build a foundation for long-term growth in America. Energy efficiency improves the competitiveness of our economy, benefits the environment, and puts Americans back to work.”

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=350

The National Wind Coordinating Collaborative (NWCC), a partnership funded by DOE that builds stakeholder consensus on issues confronting wind power development, today released a paper examining bird and bat interactions with land-based wind turbines. The paper, “Wind Turbine Interactions with Birds, Bats, and their Habitats: A Summary of Research Results and Priority Questions,” provides a literature review of previous NWCC research and peer-reviewed studies on the subject.

Technical experts conducted the literature survey and wrote the paper in conjunction with a review panel including representatives from the wind industry, academia, conservation and environmental protection organizations, and federal agencies. The paper discusses the current state of information regarding bird and bat interactions with wind turbines by examining what studies show about these interactions, what aspects of these interactions are only partially understood or documented, and what opportunities exist for continued research.

The paper notes that impacts on birds and bats have been demonstrated at many wind power facilities but that these impacts vary among facilities and regions. Also, the paper reports that the impact of collisions with wind turbines is several orders of magnitude lower than impacts from other human-related causes of songbird mortality.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=347

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 25^th – 27^th.  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.