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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:
DTE Needs to Take Broader Look at EV Benefits, Michigan EIBC Argues in Rate Case Testimony
DTE should better account for the benefits of transportation electrification in order to make its programs to promote EV infrastructure more in line with what is needed to achieve the EV transition, Michigan EIBC argues in new testimony filed in DTE’s ongoing electric rate case. The testimony, filed on behalf of Michigan EIBC, the Institute for Energy Innovation and Advanced Energy United, also recommended improvements to the utility’s attempts to provide battery storage for commercial and industrial customers. Our testimony also included testimony from EQ Research President Justin Barnes, who proposed improvements to DTE’s proposed time-of-use rates for commercial and industrial customers.
DTE’s transportation electrification plan included a benefit-cost analysis, but it is “overly conservative on a number of assumptions” and does not account for societal benefits like reduced emissions and economic impacts, Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman argued in her testimony.
“It is important, given that the [benefit cost analysis] will likely determine the amount of revenue available for use on program elements such as rebates, make-ready infrastructure, or education, that these costs and benefits are appropriately and completely accounted for,” Sherman said.
The testimony proposed a number of other changes that would make DTE’s EV programs more expansive. For example, she argued that the income threshold for EV charger rebates for low-income single-family homes should be increased from 200% to 400% of the federal poverty level. Dr. Sherman also recommended that DTE be required to develop a program for “make-ready” infrastructure, in which the utility would invest in building the basic infrastructure that allows the addition of EV chargers, like distribution upgrades and branch line extensions, while leaving investments in chargers themselves to private companies.
DOE Puts Out Model Guidance on Removing Barriers to CHP
On Aug. 14, Michigan EIBC and the U.S. Department of Energy Onsite Energy Midwest Technical Assistance Partnership are hosting a public webinar about how the 2023 energy legislation in Michigan affects the future of combined heat and power (CHP) projects (register here to attend). This webinar happens to come soon after the release of a major DOE report that identifies barriers to CHP and waste heat to power (WHP) and proposes model guidance for regulators and policymakers to alleviate these barriers.
The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ordered the DOE to review how to better integrate CHP and WHP into the grid. This report from the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a product of that review. The report defines CHP as “a cost-effective approach to generating electric power and useful thermal energy on-site from a single fuel source that offers efficient, reliable, and affordable energy services.”
But several barriers have stood in the way of CHP and WHP projects, as identified by the report. These include when utilities levy standby rates that “can significantly erode energy cost savings for CHP projects and are often based on worst-case scenarios that would not actually occur during CHP system operation,” the report said.
In order to achieve its clean energy and climate action goals, particularly with regard to industrial decarbonization, it will be important for Michigan to address these barriers. A key action item in the MI Healthy Climate Plan is to “[d]eploy combined heat and power (CHP) in new facilities and convert existing facilities to renewable energy or lower-carbon fuels such as biogas, renewable natural gas or biomethane, and clean hydrogen.”
To find out more about the future of CHP in Michigan specifically, register here for our Aug. 14 webinar. It will feature a panel discussion with experts from the DOE, DTE Gas and Michigan EIBC member Michigan CAT.
Registration Open for 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala
Michigan EIBC is excited to welcome our members, Michigan legislators and state officials, and the general public to our 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala on September 25th at The Gem Theatre in Detroit. Register now for one of our most popular events!
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to Brianna. You can view the available sponsorship levels and benefits here. Please note that the Watt level is sold out. And thank you to our current sponsors, whose generosity helps to make our annual gala a huge success!
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Michigan Energy News
- New testimony from the office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel argues that DTE’s proposed 10% electric rate hike on residential customers should be cut to 2.5%.
- A Natural Resources Defense Council report finds that DTE and Consumers Energy have been running coal plants at a loss when renewable resources would have been more economical to run.
- An autonomous, electric bus is being tested at Sleeping Bear National Dunes Lakeshore.
- The Michigan Department of Education provides $30 million to 29 school districts for clean school buses.
National Energy News
- Federal judges reject a challenge to FERC’s decision to approve a capacity market for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator.
- A U.S. Senate committee advances a bill to reform energy project permitting, including for transmission lines, to the full Senate.
- Dominion’s Virginia utility misses targets for savings on its energy efficiency programs.
- Startup TS Conductor raises $60 million to expand its business manufacturing cables that can carry more electricity than those used in traditional transmission lines.
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.
Elevate
Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion Lead. Location: Chicago.
The Diversity, Racial Equity, and Inclusion (DREI) Lead is responsible for the development and implementation (integration) of initiatives that promote diversity, racial equity, and inclusion (DREI) aligning with Elevate’s core vision, mission, values, and goals. The DREI Lead will work closely with the DREI support team and others, as needed, to ensure integration of DREI principles throughout Elevate programs, processes and practices, execute on strategic priorities, and drive successful outcomes. This Lead will serve as the subject matter expert on DREI and provide vision, expertise, and counsel on matters of diversity initiatives, strategic planning, education and research, and program implementation.
Michigan and National Energy Events
On Aug. 3, the Michigan Electric Vehicle Alliance is holding the Clean Cruise, an organized EV cruise on Woodward Avenue in Ferndale. Find out more information here.
The Vehicle Grid Integration Council is holding a webinar on “Empowering and Enhancing the Customer Experience for Vehicle-Grid Integration” on Aug. 8. Register here.
On Aug. 14, Michigan EIBC and the U.S. Department of Energy Onsite Energy Midwest Technical Assistance Partnership are hosting a webinar, “The Future of Combined Heat & Power (CHP) in Michigan – Updates in Light of the 2023 Energy Legislation.” Register here.
The RECESS24 National Black and Brown Clean Energy Summit will be held in Detroit on Sep. 9 to 11. Find more information here.
The 12th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala will be held in Detroit on Sept. 25. Tickets are available now.
The C3 Summit, sponsored by Michigan EIBC member Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan EGLE, Breakthrough Energy Fellows and American Made Challenge, will be held in Novi on Oct. 1. Find out more here.
Opportunities
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.
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/or 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 funds are depleted and there is no specific deadline. More information on this opportunity can be found on the RRCA Webpage.
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.
Michigan EGLE has released an RFP for grants from its Clean Energy Workforce Development Program. The application deadline is July 30, 2025.