Energy Works Michigan, a project of the Ecology Center, will promote energy efficiency and assist in the installation of solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, and wind systems in 90 Michigan schools during the next three years.
The Michigan Renewable Schools Program, operated by Energy Works, assisted in the installation of 30 renewable energy systems at 24 school districts in 2009 and 2010, generating over 40,000 kiloWatt (kW) hours of emission-free solar and wind power. An additional 40 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 upcoming expansion of Energy Works services, which will include renewable energy assistance for colleges and universities for the first time, will 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.
“We’re saving money for schools, creating an enhanced learning environment for students and teachers, and preparing Michigan students for the green jobs of the future,” said Emile Lauzzana, director of Energy Works. “This program helps Michigan schools now, by cutting energy costs and freeing up resources for classroom instruction; it will help our state in the future, by providing Michigan high school and college students with the skills and training they need to participate in emerging renewable energy industries.”
The contract with Energy Works, said MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu, “will provide schools throughout the state the opportunity to take advantage of existing programs that encourage installation of the most economical and practical renewable energy systems and energy efficiency measures, and associated educational opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the general public.”
Solar and wind installations supported by the Michigan Renewable School Program have already produced over 43,000 kW hours of electricity, enough to offset over 63,000 miles worth of carbon emissions from automobiles. Real-time tracking of electricity production and carbon offsets is available at http://energyworksmichigan.powerdash.com/home/.
At the South Lyon school district, which conducted an efficiency audit with assistance from Energy Works in 2010, the program “is helping to achieve our goal, to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Shun Smith, operations supervisor for the district. South Lyon schools are installing new energy efficient lighting and motion sensors, and also taking steps to harvest daylight in school buildings.
Curriculum and teaching aids provided by Energy Works, said Smith, are helping educate teachers and students about the costs of generating and consuming energy – and the potential for savings.
“The education portion alone is huge,” said Smith. “Our students and our staff, they are definitely responding. People want to be green; people want to do everything possible. If we’re paying for energy we don’t need, that could be costing somebody their job.”
During the next three years, Energy Works will assist 90 schools, including colleges and universities, and provide a post-secondary education program to inform high school students about training opportunities in the growing fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The suite of programs offered by Energy Works includes:
- Renewable Energy (RE): Technical and financial assistance for renewable energy installations, including solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, wind power installations, and geothermal feasibility studies.
- 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
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