Organization’s Social Mission 

MISSION:
Energy Works Michigan is a non-profit technical resource building foundational capacities for a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future in Michigan.

VISION:
Energy Works will create a sustainable future for the State of Michigan where every student from Pre-School through the 12th Grade in all 5,000 Public Schools, Charter Academies, and Private Schools will learn and develop the skills necessary to make responsible decisions for the rest of their lives. Through innovative educational programs and installations at school facilities of proven Energy Efficiency Technologies and practical Renewable Energy Systems, Energy Works will lead schools to a net-zero energy and carbon neutral future.

Description of Organization
Energy Works Michigan, a project of the Ecology Center,  promotes energy engineering services and incentives for installation of solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, and wind systems for Michigan schools.  An additional 90 Michigan schools will be able to participate through June 2013.

The Michigan Renewable Schools Program, operated by Energy Works, assisted in the installation of 30 renewable energy systems at 28 school districts during 2009-2011, generating over 40,000 kiloWatt (kW) hours of emission-free solar and wind power. An additional 39 school districts received energy audits and technical assistance in implementing actions to reduce costs and increase energy efficiency, including improved lighting and more efficient heating and cooling.

The expansion of Energy Works services was be made possible by a $4.4 million grant awarded to Energy Works by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), in November 2010. All Michigan schools are eligible to participate, including public, private, parochial and post-secondary institutions.

• Renewable Energy (RE): Technical and financial assistance for renewable energy installations, including solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, wind power installations, and geothermal feasibility studies. Energy production data from these schools can be viewed online through a public website at EnergyWorksMichigan.PowerDash.com.

• Energy Efficiency (EE): Energy efficiency audits and technical and financial assistance to implement improvements in school buildings.

• K-12 Educational Resources and Training: Curriculum development and teacher training, aligned with the State of Michigan’s Grade Level Content Expectations, including lesson plans on energy efficiency, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, wind, and geothermal energy.

• Post-secondary education: Education and training partnerships with Michigan community colleges, junior colleges and universities.

• Teacher and Student Led Green Initiatives: Classroom grants and contests to support classroom lessons and student projects on electricity generation, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

School officials who are interested in participating in any of the above programs can contact Energy Works at info@EnergyWorksMichigan.org, 734.369.9699.

Additional information, including real-time tracking of electricity produced by renewable energy installations in Michigan schools, is available at www.energyworksmichigan.org

Green News You Can Use

Energy Works Michigan March 2011 Newsletter

Green Leaders Scholarship

Michigan Renewable Schools Program