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Corporations Push Forward with Commitments to Advanced Energy
The Summit, which prominently featured California’s recent commitment to 100% clean energy by 2045, saw action from states and local governments from across the globe making commitments to clean energy and electric vehicles. For example, 12 states and regions committed to the “zero-emission vehicle challenge” at the Summit and Los Angeles announced the launch of the Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative, representing approximately $11 million in investment.
In addition to the activity from local governments, corporations also took a number of voluntary actions. For example, Kaiser Permanente, Lyft (a Michigan EIBC member company), and Salesforce committed to achieving 100% clean energy in the coming years, while ChargePoint (a Michigan EIBC member company) and EVBox committed to ambitious deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure.
What makes the commitments announced last week so significant is that they are a part of a broader trend across the private sector. In July, Bloomberg New Energy Finance reported that corporations had already set a record for annual purchasing of clean energy for their operations. The RE 100, which tracks companies that have committed to 100% clean energy, is keeping tabs on 144 companies that have made such a commitment, including the likes of Google, Facebook, GM, and Nike.
This trend extends to Michigan, where we are seeing more and more companies requesting clean energy purchasing options. As just one example, furniture manufacturer Herman Miller recently committed to powering its Spring Lake-area facilities with wind power as a part of its continued commitment to 100 percent clean energy.
Michigan EIBC and the Institute for Energy Innovation (IEI) are helping to bring information about these trends to policy makers and business leaders. On October 25, Michigan EIBC is hosting an event with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce focused on corporate procurement of renewable energy. And on December 5, IEI is hosting Corporate Purchasers 101, a lunch and learn event for Michigan legislators and staff as well as Michigan EIBC member companies.
Michigan EIBC Member Companies Honored at Midwest Energy News 40 Under 40 Event
In 2018, Michigan EIBC was well represented by the honorees as well, who included Brandy Brown of CLEAResult, Kevin Borgia of Cypress Creek, and Cory Connolly of Michigan EIBC.
Keen Technical Solutions Hosts Michigan EIBC for Networking Reception
5 Lakes Energy
5 Lakes Energy is a Michigan-based policy consulting firm dedicated to advancing policies and programs that promote clean energy, sustainability and the environment.
Four Elements Energy
Four Elements Energy designs and installs solar ( electric, water heating, air heating) and wind renewable energy systems.
Hemlock Semiconductor
Hemlock Semiconductor Group – delivering the highest-quality polysilicon for semiconductor and solar wafer manufacturing. Semiconductor and solar ingot/wafer manufacturers rely on Hemlock Semiconductor Group as a consistent, reliable source of high-purity polycrystalline silicon and Chlorosilanes. Hemlock Semiconductor has been an industry leader for more than 50 years.
ITC
ITCHoldings Corp., the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company, has two operating subsidiaries in Michigan: ITCTransmission and METC (collectively,
Michigan Saves
Michigan Saves is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making energy improvements easy and affordable. We operate as a green bank to offer financing programs that help Michigan residents take control of their energy costs through efficiency and renewable projects.
The Green Panel
Incorporated on June 12, 2007 The Green Panel, Inc. is a Michigan-based turnkey solar PV company that Engineers, Furnishes, and Installs (EF&I) solar photovoltaic systems. Our goal is to build long-lasting relationships with our customers, exceeding their expectations. The Green Panel often finds itself as an educator through the engineering, furnishing, and installing process because of our 12+ year history in the renewable energy market. We have serviced residential, commercial, industrial and educational entities throughout the State of Michigan, with offices in Brighton/Grand Rapids and a warehouse in Brighton. Our installers are all W-2 employees and we have our own fleet of trucks/trailers.
Michigan Energy Stories
- DTE Energy is moving forward with gas plant even amid a legal challenge.
- Herman Miller commits to sourcing local wind power for its Spring Lake operations.
- Consumers Energy launches its first battery storage project in Michigan that may provide data for future sites.
- Consumers Energy plans to provide an update on its proposed electrical system upgrades.
- The Adrian Dominican Sisters have committed to sourcing 100% clean energythrough a Consumers Energy program.
- The Michigan Agency for Energy hosted an electric vehicle “ride and drive” last week during Drive Electric Week.
- Michigan lawmakers announced clean mobility legislation last week during Drive Electric Week.
- Two large-scale renewable energy projects are planned in West Michigan along a stretch of M-46 in eastern Muskegon County.
- The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) earned an award for its use of solar energy.
- Ford discussed its mobility business at Morgan Stanley’s 6th Annual Laguna Conference, highlighting how the 115-year-old company is innovating in the mobility space.
National Energy Stories
- California’s public university system announced a commitment to 100% clean electricity supplies by 2025.
- The Texas solar industry is booming, trailing only California in 2018 installations.
- The U.S. solar market has shaken off the impacts of President Trump’s 30% tariff on panel imports, with home installations steady and utility procurement seeing a “massive rebound,” according to research from Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
- The Department of Energy announced $148M in funding for energy storage research efforts.
- Ikea invested in electric vehicles as part of an effort to offer zero-emission delivery in large cities by 2020 and worldwide by 2025.
- A California startup is launching a new battery system that links to home automation and energy management devices and could be a rival to Tesla’s Powerwall.
- A Minnesota company secured $11 million in financing for 8.2 MW of community solar projects in Minnesota.
- Salesforce and Kaiser Permanente secure PPAs for renewable energy as corporations continue to look for clean energy options.
- Minnesota’s community solar program reached a record 401 megawatts this summer, according to an analysis by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR).
- As rooftop solar expands, states have struggled to devise successors to net metering, but replicable models may be emerging.
- Homeowners are increasingly turning to solar backed by storage to keep the lights on during extreme storms.
- New York City announced a goal to double pension fund investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- As utilities rush to build natural gas plants, declining costs for solar and storage puts them at risk for billions of dollars in stranded assets.
- National Grid installed a solar-plus-storage system in Massachusetts to demonstrate utility storage through the use of flow batteries.
- Grid operator MISO says it’s too soon to develop a detailed solar capacity credit process, though such a system could look similar to the one used to establish wind credits.
- Legal experts question whether upcoming deadlines for federal wind and solar tax credits will jeopardize projects facing regulatory delays.
- New Hampshire announces that it intends to use $4.6M of VW settlement funding to build EV infrastructure.
Michigan Energy Events
On September 21, Ceres and the University of Michigan will host Electric Vehicles Open Forum: Aligning Major Market Actors in Michigan starting at 8:45am. Learn more and register here.
The Annual Meeting for the National Association of State Energy Offices (NASEO) will be hosted in Detroit September 23-26. The event will focus on integrating electric vehicles, buildings, and the grid for greater efficiency, intelligence, resiliency, and mobility. Learn more and register here.
A public hearing will be held on the proposed SAFE Vehicles Rule on September 25 in Dearborn.
The University of Michigan’s Energy Club at Ross (ECR) proudly presents the 2018 Energy Conference. This year’s theme is “Disruptive Futures in Energy Technology” where the focus will be on how disruptive technologies and innovative business models are rapidly shaping the future of energy. The event is on September 28 at the Ross School of Business, 701 Tappan Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, Colloquium (6th Floor)
On September 29, 2018, The Michigan Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) will host its First Annual Energy Ball. The event will be held at the Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R St, Detroit, MI. A VIP networking reception, including live entertainment, begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7:00 p.m. Click here for more information.
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.
Michigan EIBC’s Annual Energy Innovator’s Gala is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, in Lansing. Sponsorship opportunities are available and interested sponsors should contact Nicole Forward at nicole@mieibc.org. For more information on the Gala and to register, please check out the website.
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
The 2018 Veteran’s Energy Seminar Series is scheduled for Boston (9/27). If you are interested in speaking or sponsoring an event, please visit www.vetsenergyseminar.
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.
PACENation Regional Ohio Conference on Property Assessed Clean Energy will be on September 26 in Columbus, Ohio. Register here.
Join 500+ attendees October 18-19 in Vermont for REVitalize: Transforming Energy Further, Fast, Together with keynote speakers Katherine Hamilton, chair of 38 North Solutions, and Gordan Van Welie, president and CEO of ISO New England.
Attend the 2018 ACEEE Rural Energy Conference on October 22 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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.
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) invite you to Solar Power Midwest in Chicago on November 14-15.
You’re invited to Facing Race, a conference taking place in Detroit November 8-10. The conference will include several components related to energy democracy, helping cities and states to implement their new energy programs in a way that is racially equitable. For more information, please click here.
Announcements and Opportunities
The Michigan Energy Office (MEO) has announced a pilot program that will offer matching funds to eligible Michigan businesses to develop innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
USDA announced a set of loan guarantees and grants as a part of USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The deadlines to apply for grants are Oct. 31, 2018, and April 1, 2019. Applications for loan guarantees are accepted year-round. Additional information about the program and how to apply for this funding is available on page 40216 of the Aug. 14, 2018, Federal Register.