GLREA News
Wind manufacturing is super competitive. Come see how a Michigan company, Astraeus, is reducing the cost of wind components. Their initial focus is on machining of hubs and reducing the machining time from 30 to 6 hours.
A tour of the Eaton Rapids facility will be held on May 22, 10:30 am – 12:00 n. For those interested, a brown back lunch will be held following the tour at GLREA in Dimondale. Sign up at: http://AstraeusTour-May22.kintera.org/
Thinking solar? Thinking wind? Thinking green? Join us at the Michigan Energy Fair in Ludington on June 22-24 to learn the latest on technology, products, policy, education, and training. Interested in exhibiting at the Fair? Contact samantha.keeney@glrea.org
GLREA Member Highlight
Solar Winds Power Systems, LLC is a family owned business founded by Mike and Roz Linsea in 2008. Mike, Sales / Project Manager of Solar Winds, started in solar energy in 1976 as a student at GVSU, moving on to Jordan College with a major in Alternative Energy in 1977-78. Mike built a successful career in West Michigan in corporate account /sales management with Fortune 100 companies. Roz is a degreed business manager, coach and consultant with over 20 years in managing, developing and improving business operating systems. After building their experience in the corporate world for 30 plus years, the Linsea’s returned to their renewable energy roots.
Solar Winds Power Systems provides PV, Solar Hot Water (evacuated tube and flat-plate) and Solar Hot Air systems. Over the past four years, Solar Winds has designed and installed projects from 1 kW-48 kW. Specializing in pole, roof, and ground mounting systems, they are staffed with a team of master electricians, plumbers, and a solar engineer. Contact: 616 635-7855 or info@thesolarwinds.com. www.thesolarwinds.com
Michigan News
Grand Valley State University is among nine universities that are part of a national research coalition to address public transportation issues. Grand Valley is specifically researching ways to remanufacture, repurpose and recycle electric batteries from transit vehicles like buses. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/04/04/grand-valley-to-study-battery-recycling-in-federal-project/
Cogeneration fueled by natural gas will save the State of Michigan $1.6 million annually at the state secondary complex. The system which has two 1.2 MW turbines will power the 13 buildings that make up the complex.
Michigan State University generates 21,000 tons of manure and 1,500 tons of food waste every year, but MSU’s Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering is about to begin work on a $5 million anaerobic digester that will reuse the waste and create energy for campus buildings. The digester is expected to be running in summer 2013.
Natural Gas Renewable Resource Pilot Program for Michigan Consolidated Gas, the first such program offered by a regulated utility in Michigan, has been approved by the MPSC. Under the BioGreenGas program, up to 2,000 residential customers may elect to pay a renewable resource premium of $2.50 per month to support the consumption and development of natural gas generated from renewable biogas resources. A landfill located in Michigan will be the source of the natural gas supply.
Detroit-Area Pre-College Engineering Program provides a learning environment for 9th grade boys to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and clean energy. The program is called Renewable Energy Advancement for Detroit Youth (READY). February 2012 kicked off the season for the program with 120 students. http://www.irecusa.org/2012/03/the-ready-program-transforming-young-lives-in-detroit/?utm_source=The+IREC+Report%3A+April+2012&utm_campaign=
The+IREC+Report+April+2012&utm_medium=email
FireKeepers Casino has a line of 10 huge frames each measuring 23 feet high by 16 feet wide. They will be used for solar panels installed by Skasgé Power LLC. A unique, motorized system is being patented by the company and will permit the sun’s movement across the sky to be tracked using Internet-based global-positioning. http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20120422/NEWS01/304230001
Solar Winds Power Systems and Stryker Corporation received the 2012 Environmental Award at the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Community Awards. Ten local leaders and businesses were honored at the annual event. http://www.thesolarwinds.com/
Michigan State University trustees have approved a long range energy transition plan. The plan would have MSU achieve 15% renewable energy sources by 2015 and 40% by 2030. The plan includes investing $30-40 million in energy conservation over the next decade. Some students have expressed concerns that the plan does not have a retirement date for the coal power plant or a timeline to switch to 100% clean energy.
Novi-based ITC Holdings will make a $50 million investment that will make electrical service in Michigan, the Midwest and Ontario more efficient and reliable. Rather than change the voltage of electricity, two giant transformers will control the magnitude and direction of power flow on the grid. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/04/04/itcs-giant-new-transformers-will-tune-up-the-grid/
Energy Systems Engineering degree is now available at Ferris State. The program offers three options: Building Energy Systems, Alternative Energy Systems, and Energy Generation & Distribution Systems. www.ferris.edu or call 231-591-2755
Parnall Correctional Facility in Jackson will save $30 million with energy and water conservation measures. Parnall’s utility costs will be reduced by about 40% and water costs will be reduced by more than $2 million. ESG, the energy service company, guarantees the savings will meet 10 annual payments to cover the $12.89 million project costs. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/04/04/energy-consultant-cuts-30m-in-costs-out-of-state-prison/
Tank Automotive Research, Development & Engineering Center in Warren will be using a microgrid designed to provide energy security for two laboratories. The labs will be able to be off grid and the microgrid will include a wind turbine, fuel cells, solar, and a charging station for hybrid electric vehicles.
Beyond Michigan
2011 Annual Market Report from AWEA indicates that South Dakota and Iowa lead a record five states that received more than 10% percent of their electricity from wind in 2011. Seven states have at least 4,000 wind jobs including Michigan which ranked 7th with between 4,000-5,000 jobs.A national report out this week reflects well on Michigan wind-energy manufacturers such as Holland’s Energetx Composites. http://www.awea.org/newsroom/pressreleases/Annual_Report.cfm
Denmark is planning to derive 100% of its energy from renewable resources by 2050, as reflected in a new package of goals, mandates, and incentives passed by the Danish Parliament. Denmark will not only increase its reliance on wind power—setting a target of 50% of the nation’s electricity—but will also add combined heat and power, biogas, geothermal, and biofuels capacity. The package also calls for increased energy efficiency, imposing new targets on energy companies and mandating a comprehensive strategy for building retrofits. The package bans the installation of oil- and natural gas-fired boilers in new buildings in 2013.
Wind Speed/Direction Map. Pretty neat! Check it out at http://hint.fm/wind/
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed into law a requirement that California get 33% of its electricity from renewable sources by the year 2020. Calling the law the most ambitious clean energy effort in the nation, the Governor predicted that it would help jump start the state’s economy. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/13/local/la-me-renewable-energy-20110413
Events
LEED 201: Core Concepts & Strategies will be held on May 1, 8:30-5:00 by the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, Grand Rapids. http://www.alliancees.org/education-and-events/calendar/
HOMES 252: Understanding LEED for Homes will be held on May 2, 8:30-5:00 by the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability, Grand Rapids. http://www.alliancees.org/education-and-events/calendar/
Energy Conference & Exhibition 2012 will be held on May 2 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The event is hosted by DTE Energy and the Engineering Society of Detroit. http://ww2.esd.org/EVENTS/2012/2012-EnergyConf.htm,
“Beyond the Light Switch – What Will The Future of Energy Look Like?” (Detroit Public TV Documentary) and a local panel discussion will be held on May 2, 6-9 PM at Milliken Auditorium, NMC. $5 admission. Pre-registration through Extended Education – 995-1700.
Energy Efficiency-Made in Michigan forum will be held by the Energy Innovation Business Council on May 2 at 11:30 am at the Michigan Municipal League 208 N. Capitol Ave. #1, Lansing. The forum will include a presentation of the economic impact study by The Hill Group and a panel discussion on energy efficiency featuring representatives from Dow Chemical, Masco Wellhome, and Root3. www.meibc.org/calendar
Michigan Energy Forum – “Manufacturers in the Wind Industry: Why Michigan” will be held on May 3, 5:00-7:00 pm at Ann Arbor Spark, 330 E. Liberty. http://www.annarborusa.org/events
West Michigan Bioenergy Consortium will meet at Morbark on May 3 at 9:00 am. RSVP to chaplar@rightplace.org
5th Annual Green Street Fair will be held in Plymouth on May 4, 5, & 6. www.greenstreetfair.com
Traverse City Reused Materials Tour will be held May 5, 1- 5 PM Cost: $19. Registration through Extended Education – 995-1700
MIAT (Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology) will be hosting the 7th Annual Career Expo on May 8 at the MIAT Canton campus. The event draws employers from Michigan and across the U.S. in the aviation, energy, and transportation industries. More than 5000 Veterans are invited to this event and the event is open to all job seekers. For more information, contact akienast@miat.edu or 734.423.2100.
West Michigan Wind Manufacturing Network will meet on May 10 at 9:00 am. RSVP to chaplar@rightplace.org
Good Jobs, Green Jobs Midwest Conference will be held on May 10-11 at the Detroit Marriott, Renaissance Center. The conference will have two days of workshops and plenaries focused on building a green economy and creating good jobs. http://www.greenjobsconference.org/node/902
Wind Energy Supply Chain Workshop – Onshore & Offshore will be held at the Detroit Marriott – Renaissance Center on May 11th, 10:30am-1:00pm. Sponsored by the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation Clean Energy Manufacturing Center, this workshop is designed for those who want to learn about current market trends and supply chain opportunities in the wind energy industry. https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/6475/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=66349
Traverse City Solar Energy Tour will be held May 12, Noon-5 PM. Cost: $19. Registration through Extended Education – 995-1700
West Michigan Solar Supply Chain will meet on May 17 at 9:00 am in Grand Rapids. RSVP to chaplar@rightplace.org
“Distributed Combined Heat and Power Systems” forum will be held at Northwestern Michigan College, Parson-Stulen, Room 222-224 on May 21, 6-9 PM. Free of Charge, Walk – In.
Astraeus is a Michigan company that is reducing the cost of wind components. The initial focus is on machining of hubs and reducing the machining time from 30 to 6 hours, but other components will be improved using the latest advances in materials and automated manufacturing. A tour of the Eaton Rapids facility will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 10:30 a.m – 12:00 noon. For those interested, a brown back lunch will be held, immediately following the tour, at GLREA in Dimondale. Sign up at: http://AstraeusTour-May22.kintera.org/
Mission Zero Fest will take place Sat., June 9 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sun., June 10 from 11 am to 4 pm in Ann Arbor’s Water Hill neighborhood, located just northwest of downtown. Tour six ultra-green homes, attend workshops led by renowned sustainability experts, grab some delicious local food, and dance in the streets with an incredible array of top musical acts.www.missionzerofest.org
Traverse City Wind Energy Tour will be held on June 9, 1- 5 PM. Cost: $19. Registration through Extended Education – 995-1700
Southeast Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will meet on June 21. Speakers will cover a variety of topics including alternative clean energy options, incentives and funding for clean energy, and business testimonials from clean energy adopters. Contact: info@smsbf.org
Michigan Energy Fair will be held on June 22-24 at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington. If you want to learn about renewable energy and energy efficiency, the Fair exhibits, workshops, and special activities will keep you up to date on the latest in products, policies, and educational/training opportunities. This year GLREA will have a separate exhibit building for non-profit and public organizations that are involved in education, advocacy, and training. www.glrea.org
Green Living Festival will be held in downtown Rochester on June 22-24. The Festival is a green/wellness event that offers a wide variety of exhibits, attractions and activities. http://migreenteam.wildapricot.org/glf
Energy Academy, designed for high school students, will be held on July 8-13 at Ferris State. www.ferris.edu/summercamps
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Source/Prepared by: John Sarver for Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA)
