New Reports on Jobs in Advanced Energy and Transportation Electrification and More

Welcome to the weekly newsletter of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC), the business voice for advanced energy in Michigan. Here’s what’s new this week:

Infrastructure and Budget Proposals Move Forward with Advanced Energy Provisions

There was finally voting in Washington this week on long-simmering proposals that would steer billions in new spending toward advanced energy. The U.S. Senate passed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill and also approved the framework for a $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation plan. The details of both packages are subject to change as Senate committees craft the details of the budget reconciliation plan and negotiations continue.

The energy components of the Senate-passed infrastructure bill are largely similar to those found in the initial infrastructure framework agreed to earlier this year. The bill includes:

-Over $70 billion for upgrading the electricity grid, including new transmission lines

-$15 billion for electric vehicle infrastructure

-$40 billion for public transit, including lower-emissions or zero-emissions buses

This spending, especially for EVs, is much lower than early proposals made by the Biden administration. However, many of those proposals may be adopted through the ongoing budget reconciliation process.

The budget plan passed by the Senate kicks off a complex process of negotiations among various Senate committees that will take place over the next month. Issues to be discussed include:

-A clean electricity payment program that would require corporations that emit large amounts of carbon dioxide to pay fees.

-A national clean electricity standard, which U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has said he would only support if it does not require an end to fossil fuels.

-More tax credits and incentives for consumers purchasing EVs. An Aug. 11 letter from several House leaders called for “robust funding for transportation electrification” and spending amounts closer to the $174 billion proposed in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan.

-Expanded and extended renewable energy tax credits, including for stand-alone energy storage.  


AEE Report: The Electric Transportation Economy Is Growing

In a new report, Michigan EIBC National Associate Member Advanced Energy Economy finds that employment in EV and EV charging infrastructure industries—the electric transportation sector—will double from 2019 levels to almost 300,000 jobs by 2024.

Accommodating that workforce will make it especially important to implement policies for worker transition and the resolution of supply chain bottlenecks, the report, “Building an Electric Transportation Economy in the United States,” says. It recommends policies like creating incentives for manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries and semiconductors that “source and retain high domestic content” and keep domestic manufacturing jobs.

U.S. Energy Secretary (and former Michigan Gov.) Jennifer Granholm talked up the importance of a domestic supply chain in a visit to southeast Michigan last week in which she toured several local companies involved in electric transportation. 

Michigan-specific fact sheet AEE released along with the report finds that with 11,000 jobs in electric transportation, Michigan is second only to California in total sector jobs. “Michigan is positioned to continue leading the U.S. automotive manufacturing industry,” AEE said. The number of jobs is expected to increase 43% from 2019 to 2025. 


Latest Clean Jobs Report Finds Strong Employment Rebound for Midwest and Michigan

Clean energy sector jobs in the Midwest have rebounded from the pandemic faster than overall employment has in the region, growing by 11% in the second half of 2020, according to the newly-released 2021 Clean Jobs Midwest report from Clean Energy Trust and E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs).

Michigan, for example, saw a strong rebound. The pandemic contributed to an overall drop in jobs from 2019 to 2020, but Michigan clean energy jobs grew by 20.4% in the second half of the year, exceeding the state’s overall jobs growth rate.

The “advanced transportation” sector, which includes jobs related to designing, manufacturing and serving the supply chain of EVs, was a particular bright spot in this year’s report. Jobs in this sector grew 3% for the year in the region. The new AEE report mentioned above in this newsletter also shows the strong job growth in this sector.

Check out the full reports for the Midwest and Michigan.  





RSVP for 9th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala in Detroit

We are so excited about the  9th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on September 14, 2021 at The Eastern, Detroit, MI, featuring keynote speaker Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II! There will be an outdoor area for the event, and attendees can choose to remain outdoors without missing any of the Gala.

Tickets are available here. RSVP soon as we expect this event to sell out.

During the gala, we celebrate the individuals and businesses who have worked to grow Michigan’s advanced energy sector in 2021. Advanced energy business leaders and experts, legislators, state and local government officials, and other key decision-makers will be in attendance, and attendees will get to enjoy amazing food from Detroit area food trucks, good company and networking at this premiere outdoor/indoor event!

We invite you to sponsor this event. Sponsorship at the Gigawatt & Megawatt levels includes tickets to attend our VIP Cocktail Reception with Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist II and other VIP guests. For sponsorship opportunities and benefits, click here or contact Brianna Gerard, Director of Membership and Events at brianna@mieibc.org.

LT. GOVERNOR GARLIN GILCHRIST II

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II has dedicated his career to solving problems. An engineer by training, he uses thoughtful innovation, progressive reform, and efficient modernization of policies and programs to make the work better for hardworking families. From spearheading campaigns for equality and justice to harnessing technology to solve real problems, his focus has consistently remained on serving the public and getting things done.

As part of the Whitmer Administration, Lt. Governor Gilchrist II has sought to address injustice and inequality across our state at every level, his approach to addressing disparities is deeply rooted in fact-based practices, science, and connecting with individuals across Michigan. 


Event Sponsors

Gigawatt Level

Megawatt Level

Kilowatt Level

The Watt Level


New Member


Bollinger Motors
 Bollinger Motors is driving distinction through truly evolved EV solutions and reinventing the all-electric truck from the ground up. Bollinger’s class 3 electric trucks, including the B1 Sport Utility Truck, the B2 Pickup Truck, the B2 Chassis Cab, and the Chass-E, will offer dual-motor drivetrain creating best-in-class horsepower and torque, all-wheel drive, 50/50 weight distribution, unbeatable traction, and best-in-class ground clearance for both consumer and commercial applications. Built in Detroit, made to change the world. Learn more about the company, its products, and career opportunities at bollingermotors.com.

Renewing Members



Chart House Energy

Chart House Energy is a full service commercial / industrial renewable energy development firm with specialty in not-for-profit and governmental agency projects.


RWE Renewables

RWE Renewables is one of the largest renewable energy companies in the world and is proud to develop, build, and operate clean, affordable renewable energy projects across the United States. With more than 5GW of renewables under operation, more than $7 billion in assets, and more than 700 employees across the U.S., RWE Renewables is committed to building the future with our energy for a sustainable life. 

Michigan Energy Options Michigan Energy Options (MEO) is a nonprofit that has been in business since 1978. From our offices in East Lansing and Marquette, we pursue daily our mission of guiding communities toward being more sustainable and resilient through the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy. We do this by providing our unbiased expertise, research and our results-driven programs, all the while working collaboratively with local governments, businesses and community leaders. Since 2008, MEO’s work across the state has saved more than 200 million kilowatt hours, which translates into more than 426 million pounds of greenhouse gases being eliminated. We’ve reached nearly two million people, 6,000 businesses and 50 municipalities with our projects and programs in all 83 counties in Michigan. With $14 million of funding since 2008, we have been able to leverage more than $77 million of private sector investment into energy efficiency upgrades of buildings. In 2012, our own Lower Peninsula Office in East Lansing earned LEED Platinum–the highest rating possible–by the U.S. Green Building Council. Michigan Energy Options’ precursor was Urban Options, a pioneering energy nonprofit in the state. In 2005 we opened the first energy nonprofit in the Upper Peninsula. 

Newman Consulting

Newman Consulting Group (NCG), a Lean and Green Michigan and Rebuild Michigan® Partner, a DTE Energy and Michigan Saves Trade Ally, and an EPA Energy Star® Partner, works with architects, engineers, building owners and contractors in Michigan and throughout the world to design and build more energy-efficient buildings to LEED®, Energy Star® and other sustainable guidelines. NCG also helps commercial and industrial building owners save money and reduce negative impacts on the environment. Through energy audits and retrofitting existing buildings NCG helps buildings use less energy – and save money – while maintaining or improving the indoor air quality and enhancing the health, comfort and productivity of the building occupants. Services include: • LEED® Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) • Energy Audits – Level I, Level II and Level III • Energy Star® Certification • Re-Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning • Tax Deductions and Credits • Cost Recovery/Tax Benefits • Project Management • Design Assistance • Engineering Reports • PACE Project Management (Property Assessed Clean Energy) 


 

 

Michigan Energy News

  • “Black and brown communities are bearing the brunt of heat waves, paying disproportionately higher costs on failing infrastructure,” Michelle Martinez, acting executive director of the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, says in a piece on the effects of climate change in the state from Michigan Radio.
  • Michigan’s share of the federal infrastructure bill includes $171 million toward reducing carbon emissions from cars and $194 million toward protecting infrastructure from the effects of climate change, such as increased lake levels and warmer weather.
  • U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) says the infrastructure bill has insufficient funding for EV charging.
  • Construction is underway at DTE’s Meridian Wind project, being built by Michigan EIBC member Barton Malow, in Midland and Saginaw counties.
  • Two EV charging stations will be built in South Haven with the help of grants from Michigan EGLE’s Charge Up Michigan program.

National Energy News

  • The California Energy Commission approves a building code that is the country’s first to strongly incentivize electrification.
  • Michigan EIBC member Invenergy is looking to double the storage component of its Paris Solar Energy Center in Wisconsin to 110 MW.
  • “Blue hydrogen”—hydrogen produced through natural gas with carbon capture and storage technology—produces more emissions than coal or natural gas due to the large amounts of gas required and fugitive methane emissions, according to a study from Cornell and Stanford researchers.
  • Billions of light bulbs will have to comply with a higher efficiency standard under a new Department of Energy decision.
  • Ambri, a long-duration storage developer focusing on liquid-metal technology, gets a $144 million financing round.

 

*NEW* Job Board

We are debuting a new section of the newsletter for Michigan EIBC members to post job openings in advanced energy fields. If you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send a paragraph describing the position and a link to apply to Matt Bandyk at matt@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.

Energy Sciences LLC

Position: Energy Engineer, Metro Detroit

“As an energy engineer with Energy Sciences, you will join our team of degreed and licensed
engineers, scientists, and energy efficiency professionals to meet the energy use challenges of commercial and industrial facilities. We are looking for experienced and talented technical
team members to assist our clients, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, in
identifying energy-savings opportunities, reducing waste, and saving money. You will play a key entrepreneurial role on a team in an exciting, start-up environment that is dedicated to driving our vision of a sustainable and socially responsible energy future.”

Inovateus Solar

Positions: Business Development Manager, Design Engineer, Construction Manager, South Bend, IN

Inovateus Solar is hiring for several positions in South Bend. Check out the company’s LinkedIn page for more information.

Powerley

Position: Director, Product Solutions, Royal Oak, MI

Powerley’s Director of Product Solutions acts as the organization’s leader over a variety of strategic functions within the organization, including its utility product strategy, market research and product success in the field. The individual will act as a catalyst for collaboration within the organization between key disciplines, ensuring alignment on strategy, while relying on deep-dive investigation and data analysis to derive key insights that will spur innovation and path forward for the company.

NOVI Energy

Position: Project Engineer, Novi, MI

NOVI Energy is growing, and they need your help. This month, they announced a joint venture with Osaka Gas USA to develop over 1000 MW of solar power generation facilities, enough solar and storage to power more than 150,000 homes with clean, affordable energy while creating good-paying jobs. This is one of several exciting projects NOVI Energy is developing! Learn more about their company and available Project Engineer positions. See open positions here.  

Walker-Miller Energy Services

Position: Energy Advisor, Grand Rapids MI

“We provide our utility clients with a wide range of energy-saving and renewable energy solutions. From individual utility customers and construction contractors, to utilities, municipalities, and government bodies, our clients have come to depend on our customized energy efficiency programs to help them to meet their energy saving goals.

This Energy Advisor is primarily responsible for providing our services directly to landlords, building owners and other utility customers. You will provide expert advice and coordination for our programs while recommending specific modifications to electric and/or gas systems; you will also convince prospective clients of the improved efficiency that our services will bring. This role combines field work with office time (typically 3 field days to 2 office days per week).  You will also be working with others who are passionate about energy efficiency and making a positive impact on the industry.” 


Michigan and National Energy Events

Michigan EIBC’s 9th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala will be held in Detroit on Sept. 14Buy tickets here

The PlugVolt Battery Seminar 2021 in Plymouth, Mich., will feature an entire day of in-depth technical tutorials presented by world renowned professors from Top 50 US universities on Day 1, followed by Days 2 and 3 with industry subject matter experts presenting on Automotive and Stationary Storage applications respectively. Attendees will also get an exclusive opportunity to tour INTERTEK Battery Testing Center of Excellence in Plymouth, MI (USA). The seminar is scheduled for Oct. 5-7, and registration is open here

The U.S. Energy Storage Association Annual Conference & Expo (#ESACon21) will convene December 1-3 in Phoenix to bring together buyers, sellers, investors, and leaders in the energy storage industry for an event focused on driving deals and business in the energy storage industry. The #ESACon21 is a must attend for anyone looking to expand their business, invest in, or develop partnerships in the energy storage industry. Learn more here

Gov. Whitmer created the Council on Climate Solutions as an advisory body to help formulate and implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The council is holding a series of meetings throughout the year on various topics related to cutting Michigan’s CO2 emissions and recommending solutions for communities disproportionately affected by climate change. Go to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Office of Climate and Energy website to learn how to join these meetings.

Opportunities

State of Michigan DNR is going big in solar with projects in the ground, others in development and additional ones being planned. DNR has released a Request for Proposal for Prequalification Program for Renewable Energy PPAs: www.michigan.gov/sigmavss. Use “Guess Access” to get the RFP. A previous round of pre-qualifications netted solar companies that then were able to bid on a portfolio of DNR solar projects in Southwest Michigan. Another portfolio in the Northern Region is in the works for later this year. Only companies who pre-qualify can bid on future DNR solar projects. Please direct all correspondence to the Solicitation Manager, Laura Gyorkos at gyorkosL@michigan.gov

Consumers Energy Company is planning to seek competitive bids in response to a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) from participants in the MISO Energy Market in accordance with the Company’s Proposed Course of Action in its Integrated Resource Plan. Enel X North America, Inc. will administer the solicitation and anticipates formally releasing the upcoming RFP and associated documents late September 2021. Questions pertaining to this RFP or the proposal submittal process can be sent via email to Enel X by way of CECIA.enelxnorthamerica@enel.com.

The Lansing Board of Water and Light will issue a Request for Information for electricity storage by the end of September. Vendors can register here.


The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s PlanetM Testing Grant gives mobility companies the opportunity to access testing facilities around the state, including Mcity at the University of Michigan. Apply here.

The Detroit 2030 District is a free program that challenges Detroit building owners and managers to reduce wasted energy. Those that achieve the greatest reductions from the prior-year baseline will be recognized at the first annual Detroit Energy Challenge Award Ceremony in 2021. Visit 2030districts.org/Detroit to find out more information including how a building can apply.