This newsletter was originally published on July 25, 2108.

Tendril CEO Adrian Tuck to Keynote Michigan Energy Innovators Gala

Every year we try to choose a speaker who captures our attention with respect to the organization’s primary mission of innovation and connects to a leading theme in the advanced energy industry.

This year’s keynote – Adrian Tuck, CEO of Tendril – is no exception.

Last year we heard from Abby Hopper-Ross, CEO of SEIA, about the huge changes in the solar industry due to declining technical costs. Two years ago, our keynote was John Viera, Global Director of Sustainability at Ford, who spoke about how EVs are the platform for the next phase of human mobility. This year, the Michigan EIBC theme has been how big data underpins innovation in the electricity industry and mobility, as well the role technology plays in supporting customer engagement.

Michigan EIBC is pleased to announce that Adrian Tuck, CEO of Tendril, will be the keynote speaker of the 6^thAnnual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on November 14, 2018. Tuck brings his deep entrepreneurial expertise, including key role at ZigBee, to share with Michigan EIBC members, policy makers, and industry leaders. In his current role as CEO of Tendril, Tuck is helping redefine the energy industry by leveraging technology to help customers save money through energy efficiency and demand management programs. Prior to spending the past 20 years building technology startups, Adrian spent time in the British Army, graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The Gala will recognize individuals and businesses who have worked to build Michigan’s advanced energy sector and will be held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Awards will be handed out for Business of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year, Employer of the Year, and Public Official of the Year.

Register today for Michigan EIBC’s 6^th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on November 14, 2018.

Michigan PACE Market Reaches $14.5M for 2018

Today, Michigan EIBC member company Lean & Green Michigan, announced two advanced energy projects that will utilize PACE financing. The two projects combined for more than $8M in financing in one week, bringing the total PACE financing deployed in Michigan for 2018 to $14.5M and the total Michigan market to greater than $20M. The projects announced today are in the two most active Michigan PACE districts: Wayne County and Eaton County. In Wayne County, the historic Robert’s Riverwalk Hotel will begin an energy efficiency renovation. In Eaton County, the Liquid Web data center will complete energy efficiency upgrades as well. Liquid Web is the first data center in the U.S. to take advantage of PACE financing.

New Members

Renewable Properties
Renewable Properties specializes in developing and investing in small-scale utility solar energy projects throughout the United States. Led by experienced renewable energy professionals, we work closely with communities, developers, landowners, utilities and financial institutions looking to invest in utility solar energy systems. Our team is committed to being an easy to work with partner and focused on maximizing the local benefits inherent to solar energy projects.

Michigan Energy Stories

• DTE Energy is still in the development stage of a potential 50- to 70-turbine wind project in southern Michigan.
• Monroe City plans to challenge DTE Energy’s attempt to devalue a coal plant, which could lead to less tax revenue.
• A report prepared by Michigan Tech was released this week analyzing the risk of an oil spill from Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac.
• Flushing township finalizes regulations for residential and commercial solar projects.
• Wind development continues to face pushback in Isabella County.
• Acme Township provides support for commercial solar through local rules.

Michigan Energy Leaders

• Detroit Zoo is among the first zoos in North America to build an anaerobic digester to manage animal and food waste.
• University of Michigan students finished second in American Solar Challenge, in which students build & race solar-powered cars.
• Major concert venues in Grand Rapids are taking steps toward sustainable energy practices.
• The Detroit Lions are embracing renewable energy with a new solar array at their practice field, installed by Michigan EIBC member company Power Home Solar.

National Energy Stories

• Battery-electric buses have noticeable environmental benefits over diesel and natural gas buses, even in the Midwest with relatively more coal generation, according to a new study from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
• A report says electricity generation in the middle of the country could be carbon-free by 2050 with existing technology.
• Texas’ electricity grid has met the challenge so far, producing more power than it ever has last week.
• Russian hackers have breached U.S. utility control rooms where they could cause blackouts, federal officials say.
• High electricity prices in Michigan’s neighbor are driving energy storage deployment for commercial and industrial customers.
• Acting U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler plans to continue overhauling U.S. biofuel policy.
• A new FERC appointment is likely to be delayed due to politics.
• A new $2B loan guarantee program from DOE will support renewable energy on tribal lands. The program may provide particular support for solar-plus-storage projects.
• Rural cooperatives are rapidly adding solar according to a report by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
• According to ACEEE, rural households pay 40% more for energy than urban counterparts.

National Energy Leaders

• A once shuttered northern Minnesota solar panel manufacturing plant is restarting production with the help of a state loan package.
• An Ohio resident uses a backyard wind turbine to offset her energy use.
• Atlanta works toward an ambitious goal of running on 100 percent renewable energy by 2035.
• As the first U.S. city to run entirely on renewable electricity, Burlington, Vermont, is inspiring other communities to follow suit.
• The Honolulu airport installs more than 4,000 solar panels to help meet the state’s goal of 100 percent renewable power by 2045.

Michigan Energy Events
MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s Fundamentals Program. The event will provide essential education in the theory, principles, and practice of economic regulation organized by disciplinary perspectives, core functions, and utility sector applications. It will take place August 6-10 in East Lansing.

MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s Intermediate Program. The event will provide essential education in regulatory jurisdiction and governance, utility market structures, and current trends, drivers, and policy issues across the sectors. It will take place August 13-17 in East Lansing.

On August 15, Michigan EIBC will host its fifth EV Convening on rate design and future engagement at the Michigan Agency for Energy’s office in Lansing. Register here.

IEI is hosting a Mobility 101 Lunch & Learn at the House Office Building in Lansing on September 12. This event will be open to legislators and legislative staff, as well as Michigan EIBC members. Watch your inboxes for registration details.

Hosted in Novi, Michigan September 11-13, The Battery Show North America will bring together more than 8,000 engineers and executives and more than 600 leading suppliers across the advanced battery supply chain. The conference will cover advanced battery technologies, electric and hybrid vehicle technology, and critical power technologies. Learn more and register here.

MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s 13th Advanced Regulatory Studies Program: Ratemaking, Accounting, Finance, and Evaluation. The event will provide intensive, interactive, and technical workshops for experienced professionals in the regulatory policy community. It will take place October 1-5 in East Lansing.

Michigan EIBC will host a members-only election recap on Friday, November 9. Watch your inboxes for registration details.

Save the Date: Michigan EIBC’s Annual Energy Innovator’s Gala is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, in Lansing. Watch your inboxes for a formal invitation, agenda, and registration details.

IEI will host a Corporate Purchasers Lunch & Learn at the House Office Building in Lansing on December 5. This event will be open to legislators and legislative staff, as well as Michigan EIBC members. Watch your inboxes for registration details.

National Energy Events   
EUCI invites you to the Compensation for Distributed Energy Resources in a Low-Cost Marginal World conference, July 30-31 in Austin, Texas. Register here.

EUCI invites you to the Smart Cities 2018 Conference on August 13-14 in Columbus, Ohio. Register here.

The 2018 Veteran’s Energy Seminar Series is scheduled for San Diego (8/18), Chicago (8/30), and Boston (9/27). If you are interested in speaking or sponsoring an event, please visit www.vetsenergyseminar.org/speakers or www.vetsenergyseminar.org/donate.

EUCI invites you to the Retooling PURPA conference on August 20-21 in Atlanta, Georgia. Register here.

EUCI invites you to Renewable Energy 101, September 10-11, in Chicago, Illinois. Register here.

EUCI invites you to the “Land Lease Agreements for Renewable Energy 101” conference on September 13-14, in Austin, Texas. Register here.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) invite you to Solar Power International, September 24-27, in Anaheim, California. Registration opens in spring of 2018 here.

EUCI invites you to a FERC Transmission Ratemaking Conference, October 1 – 2, in Denver, Colorado. Register here.

MSU IPU invites you to the 60th Annual Regulatory Studies Program’s 46th Eastern NARUC Utility Rate School. The event provides comprehensive hands-on training on the basics of the public utility ratemaking process and is sponsored by the NARUC Committee on Water and featuring group work on a mock water utility rate case. It will take place October 22-26 in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Join 20,000 energy professionals at the Energy Storage North America Solar+Storage Summit November 6-8 in Pasadena, California. Register here.

Announcements and Opportunities
Know an emerging Midwest leader working to accelerate America’s transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate them for the 2018 Midwest Energy News ‘40 Under 40 awards program. Nominations close Friday, August 3.

ARPA-E Announces Funding Opportunity to Support Upcoming Grid Optimization (GO) Competition. Full applications due September 7.