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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:
Don’t Delay Demand Response Aggregation, Michigan EIBC and Advanced Energy United Argue
Demand response aggregation is a major potential growth area for advanced energy in Michigan following the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) decision at the end of 2022 to allow some demand response aggregation resources serving residential and smaller C&I companies to participate in wholesale electricity markets. As third party companies enter this burgeoning market, will they meet regulatory hurdles or rules that help them launch innovative opportunities for customers? In new comments to the MPSC, Michigan EIBC and Advanced Energy United point to ways regulators can make demand response aggregation launch smoothly in Michigan.
One of the biggest potential hurdles would be if, before they could enter this market, third-party aggregators of retail customers (called ARCs) had to wait for the legislature to act to give the MPSC authority to create a licensing process for ARCs. The MPSC staff has questioned whether or not they have the legal authority to license ARCs. In the comments, Michigan EIBC and United explain why the legislature taking action is not legally necessary. Moreover, if the MPSC were to wait for the legislature to pass a bill, in the meantime “Michigan consumers would be needlessly deprived of the ability to participate in retail and wholesale aggregation markets and lose out on potential savings and other benefits,” the comments said. “Such other benefits include mitigating increasing grid costs, with such mitigation becoming less likely the longer the Commission waits to allow ARCs to serve all consumers.” Demand response aggregation can ease grid costs by reducing the need for utility investment in traditional infrastructure relied upon to meet customer demand.
The MPSC recently directed Consumers Energy to work with MPSC staff on language for a tariff that would clarify customers’ abilities to choose ARCs. Our comments argue that any such tariffs should include requirements that utilities share customer data with ARCs through a secure, automated process. “Doing so will streamline the interactions between utilities and ARCs, and ultimately both improve the customer experience and hasten the realization of benefits to the grid,” we said.
Profile of Leadership Council Member ChargePoint
Throughout the year we are profiling the Michigan EIBC member companies that are part of Michigan EIBC’s leadership council. The next leadership council member we are highlighting is ChargePoint.
One of the most notable recent projects ChargePoint has completed in Michigan is the installation of two direct current fast charging ports at Michigan State University last fall.
New charging station projects across the entire state are coming soon thanks to the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Michigan Department of Transportation has developed a plan, approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, to use NEVI funds to develop the state’s “alternative fuel corridor.” ChargePoint has worked with several customers applying for NEVI grants, and more winners of these grants will be announced soon.
As for the future of energy policy in Michigan, ChargePoint is excited about the possibility of Michigan becoming the first state outside the West Coast to pass a clean fuels standard, an action that has the potential to unlock major funding to help with the deployment of EV charging stations throughout the state.
Crain’s Highlights Sustainability Leaders in Michigan
Crain’s Detroit Business has released its list of Notable Leaders in Sustainability. The list includes Eric McDonald, chief technologist at Michigan EIBC member NextEra Energy, and Cory Connolly, chief climate officer at the Office of Climate & Energy at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and former vice president of Michigan EIBC.
Congratulations to Eric, Cory and the others recognized by Crain’s!
Microgrids Public Convening Coming to Grand Rapids in May
On May 22 in Grand Rapids, Michigan EIBC will hold a public convening on the topic of “Microgrids to Improve Reliability, Resiliency, and Expand Distributed Energy Resources.” This event will feature a panel discussion with Michigan EIBC members and a presentation from Michigan State University Professor Dr. Joydeep Mitra as well as lunch and networking opportunities. Get tickets now!
Final Panels Announced for the 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference in East Lansing on April 24
Our 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference will be held April 24 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing. Ticket sales are now closed. We look forward to seeing you all at the conference!
The other panels at the conference announced so far are:
We have also announced the keynote speaker:
Paula R. Glover is the President of the Alliance to Save Energy, a bipartisan, nonprofit coalition that promotes federal energy efficiency policy. Throughout her tenure, she has played a crucial role in advancing key policies such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act while securing billions in federal funding for energy efficiency programs. Ms. Glover has also expanded the Alliance’s focus on energy justice and the development of next-generation technologies through the Active Efficiency Collaborative and the Energy 2040 Initiative. Before her tenure at the Alliance, Ms. Glover acted as President and CEO of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in energy policy discussions. Additionally, she serves on the boards of Talos Energy, the Keystone Policy Center, Clean Energy Works, and Resources for the Future, as well as holding a position on the National Petroleum Council since 2014 and acting as Trustee for Cardigan Mountain School. With 25 years of experience, Ms. Glover is passionate about realizing an energy-efficient future by leading the Alliance to Save Energy and its diverse political, corporate, and academic membership.
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Michigan Energy News
- The U.S. Department of Energy awards $500,000 to a regional decarbonization plan from lead applicant the City of Madison Heights, which is collaborating on the plan with Michigan EIBC member Energy Sciences, the City of Ferndale, the City of Oak Park, Lamphere School District, Michigan Clean Cities, and Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
- The addition of new charging stations by Michigan EIBC member FLO to Michigan EIBC member General Motors’ Global Technical Center in Warren have made the center the largest workplace deployment of FLO chargers at a single site in North America.
- Local township boards “have been bullied into writing ‘exclusionary’ ordinances that trample on farmer’s property rights,” a Midland resident writes in an opinion piece in the Midland Daily News that calls on voters to oppose the ballot initiative that seeks to change the law streamlining renewable energy project siting.
- Supporters of a bill to provide grants and tax credits related to nuclear energy claim that Michigan could become a hub for the nuclear industry.
- Solar output in Michigan went up from 2022 to 2023 while wind output went down slightly due to slower wind speeds, Axios reports.
National Energy News
- “Near-term solutions including efficiency, responsive demand, customer partnerships, grid-enhancing technologies, wind, solar and batteries exist and should be fully examined and deployed before snap judgments to support new gas plants that will cost customers for 30 years or more” are made, Energy Innovation Senior Director of Electricity Mike O’Boyle and Senior Fellow Eric Gimon write in Utility Dive.
- Utilities in the Southeast U.S. are pushing for more fossil gas plants to power data centers, but clean energy advocates say the utilities are overlooking other options.
- Small nuclear reactor developer Oklo is exploring a long-term power purchase agreement with a Texas oil and gas producer.
- Several states, including Michigan, have pending legislation to enable the virtual power plant model.
- The eclipse had complicated impacts on energy and the environment.
Job Board
Attention Michigan EIBC members: 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.
5 Lakes Energy
Summer Intern. Location: Remote.
5 Lakes Energy is looking for flexible and self-motivated interns at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level interested in climate and energy policy. 5LE’s work is rooted in quantitative analysis, and applicants should expect that most projects will require some degree of technical analysis, with Excel as our primary analytical tool.
This year, 5LE is offering 3 opportunities –
- Building a Year-long Hourly Power Demand Forecast to Support Widespread Electrification of Michigan’s Manufacturers mentored by Elizabeth Boatman, Ph.D., Consultant
- Public Sector Clean Energy Research Assistant mentored by Rick Bunch, Senior Consultant
- Developing a Python-based Integrated Resource Planning Model mentored by Eli Gold, Senior Consultant
To learn more about these opportunities and to apply, please review the information in this document.
Elevate
Project Manager, Community Consulting (MI). Location: Michigan/Remote.
The Project Manager, Community Consulting supports municipalities and community-based organizations applying for federal funding; assisting with strategic planning, grant writing, fund development and community engagement planning. The Project Manager maintains client relationships and assists with program development for initiatives related to sustainable communities with an emphasis on affordable housing and energy and water efficiency, renewable energy, decarbonization and community resilience. Projects focus on providing technical assistance to communities to help them achieve their sustainability goals by identifying funding opportunities, connecting them to technical resources, and providing expertise in policy and program design centered on equity, economic inclusion, and community and stakeholder engagement. This position requires experience with community engagement best practices and grant writing and/or grant management. The Project Manager, Community Consulting collaborates with others in the National Strategic Engagement team and with core service departments of Elevate, as well as our national partner organizations.
The Project Manager reports directly to the Senior Director, Community Consulting. The position is located in Michigan. This position is currently fully remote with travel as needed.
Michigan and National Energy Events
From March 20 to April 24, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is hosting a number of virtual and in-person listening sessions regarding the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rebate (HER) Program. Registration is requested for planning purposes. Visit the HER Program website for more information.
Michigan EIBC’s 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference will be held April 24 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing. Get your tickets now!
Join Michigan EGLE for the 2024 Michigan Healthy Climate Conference at the Lansing Center on May 16-17. Register here.
Get tickets for Michigan EIBC and Michigan EGLE’s Public Convening on Microgrids on May 22 in Grand Rapids.
Opportunities
Michigan EGLE is launching the Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA), which makes Michigan municipalities that have, on or after October 1, 2023, begun physically hosting and performing local permitting for any portion of an eligible renewable energy project eligible for awards of $5,000 per MW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Sept. 30. More information on this opportunity can be found on the RRCA Webpage.
The Michigan Public Service Commission has created a website tracking its progress implementing Public Acts 229, 231, 233, 234, and 235, passed on Nov. 8, 2023 and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Nov. 28.
The MPSC has posted for public review all the applications it has received in response to a request for proposals for funding through a renewable energy and electrification infrastructure enhancement and development grant program. The final deadline for proposals is April 29.
Michigan EGLE has several open grant applications related to energy efficiency for businesses, local governments, tribal governments and farmers, as well as support for public, private, or nonprofit entities for deploying publicly available fast-charging electric vehicle stations along the Lake Michigan Circuit. These applications have various deadlines from January to March of 2024. Find more information here.
On April 9, DTE is tentatively planning to issue an All Source Renewable Energy RFP. Email All_Source_Renewables_RFP_Account@dteenergy.com for more information.
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a funding opportunity announcement for grants to “fund research, development, and prototype or pilot scale technology validation and demonstration activities that will accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable technologies that increase efficiency and eliminate industrial GHG emissions for the most energy- and emissions- intensive industrial subsectors.” The deadline is June 11. Learn more here,
Michigan EGLE is offering at least $320,000 in funding MI Solar Communities-MI Solar Access Program. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2025, or when funding is expended, whichever comes first. Find the request for proposals for MI Solar Access here.