Volta Power Systems Expands in Holland, Plunkett Cooney and More

Volta Power Systems Expands Into New Facility for Lithium-Ion Systems

 Michigan is on track to be the epicenter of the advanced transportation industry. One of the companies engaged in that sector is Michigan EIBC member Volta Power Systems, which works at the intersection of energy storage and advanced transportation.

This month Volta announced it has moved into a new 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Holland Township, almost double the size of its previous facility in Holland. Volta makes lithium-ion battery storage systems for “any mobile application,” such as RVs, yachts, coaches and utility trucks. The systems can include not only batteries but also converters, inverters and AC compressors (which allow a vehicle to run its air conditioning for hours without idling).

“We are excited about the move and the growth we’ve experienced,” Volta co-founder and Director of Operations Jack Johnson said by email. “This move validates the decisions we’ve made since our founding in 2014 and shows that our technology and its diverse benefits are the future of energy storage.”  

Volta’s work is an example of how lithium-ion energy storage technology is enabling a variety of new consumer and business applications. For example, Volta’s systems can allow RV owners to camp overnight and enjoy AC and power for cooking and TV, all without the need for a hookup to external power. Growth in its RV business segment prompted Volta to require the extra space provided by the new facility.

Volta also is involved in storage technology that enables vehicles to operate at lower emissions profile. The company recently announced a partnership with Hydrauliska Industri AB, a manufacturer of on-road load handling equipment, in which Volta systems will power the liftgates on delivery trucks so they can perform over 80 lifts on a single charge, thus reducing the amount of time the trucks are idling.   



Law Firm Plunkett Cooney Named to 2019 Cool Places to Work List

Michigan EIBC member Plunkett Cooney is one of 2019’s Cool Places to Work in Michigan, according to the latest edition of the annual list from Crain’s Detroit.

With its main office located in Bloomfield Hills in metro Detroit, Plunkett Cooney has about 140 attorneys in eight Michigan cities as well as in Chicago, Columbus and Indianapolis. Crain’s Detroit also recently named the firm as its inaugural Law Firm of the Year.

Energy and environmental regulation is one of the firm’s specialty areas of practice. Plunkett Cooney attorneys provide commentary on several blogs, such as the Cannabiz Law blog, with insight on legal issues surrounding the energy-intensive legal cannabis industry.  


Michigan EIBC to Partner with Clean Fuels Michigan on Upcoming EV Convening

The Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC) and Clean Fuels Michigan invite you to attend the 9th EV Convening of the series on Tuesday, September 17 from 11:45 am to 2:30 pm in downtown Lansing. The topic is Vehicle Electrification in the Transition to Advanced Mobility: Private Sector Solutions. The meeting is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy – Office of Climate and Energy.

Building from previous convenings, this ninth installation will focus on private sector challenges and solutions to driving vehicle electrification. Expected topics will include the future of gas stations and car dealerships, automotive manufacturing, and private sector fleet decisions.   


Save The Date for the Michigan Energy Innovators Gala November 14

Michigan EIBC’s 7th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala will take place on Thursday, November 14 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. During the gala, we celebrate businesses and individuals who are working to grow Michigan’s advanced energy sector. Advanced energy business leaders, state officials, MPSC staff, and legislators will be in attendance. Awards will be handed out at the event, and only Michigan EIBC members are able to nominate and vote for award winners. Sponsorship opportunities are available and can be found on our websiteRegistration is also open should you wish to purchase individual tickets.

EVENT SPONSORS

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Megawatt Level

Kilowatt Level


Michigan Energy News

  • Michigan EIBC member Lean & Green Michigan has closed its second YMCA Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing project this year for the Blue Water YMCA in St. Clair County. The financing, courtesy of Michigan EIBC member Petros PACE Finance, will allow the YMCA to implement energy conservation measures allowing it to save over $2 million over 20 years. The contractor for the project is Michigan EIBC member Plug Smart.
  • Across Michigan, farmers are striking deals with solar developments, according to a Crain’s Detroit article featuring interviews with Michigan EIBC members Cypress Creek Renewables and Geronimo Energy.
  • The Solar Energy Industries Association finds that DTE Energy’s integrated resource plan inflates the costs of solar energy.
  • Detroit and Grand Rapids, the two biggest cities in Michigan, are setting ambitious goals for building energy efficiency.
  • Holland-based Jolt Energy Storage Technologies LLC wins a $200,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant for further work on its flow battery technology that the company says will make renewable energy more economically viable for utilities.
  • Revenue collected from wind farms has become a major source of funding for schools in several rural Michigan counties.

National Energy News

  • Average EV prices fell from $64,300 to $$55,600, a 13.4% decline from last year, according to data from Cox Automotive.
  • Renewables are expected to make up about half of the 4 GW of power capacity being interconnected in the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) this year.
  • The full potential of distributed energy resources to lower wholesale electricity market costs has not yet been fully unleashed but regulatory actions could change that, writes Chris Rauscher, director for Policy & Storage Market Strategy for Michigan EIBC member Sunrun.
  • Tesla is relaunching its efforts to rent rooftop solar panels to homeowners.
  • Chicago’s new Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program is attracting interest from several potential projects.
  • About $2.5 billion is at stake in a forthcoming Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision on market rules in PJM Interconnection.
  • Rocky Mountain Power will soon launch the largest U.S. residential battery demand response project at a Utah apartment complex.


Michigan Energy Events

Advanced transportation advocacy group Forth is holding a networking reception at the Michigan Beer Company at 5:00 pm on Sept. 10 following the Electric & Hybrid Technology Expo in Novi. RSVP here.

Michigan Energy Options is holding a Summer Solar Webinar Series. On Sept. 19, Marta Tomic of Vote Solar will discuss community solar projects.

The Battery Show’s North America 2019 conference on Sept. 12 to 19 in Novi will feature exhibitors and speakers covering all stages of the advanced battery supply chain. Learn more here.

The Michigan chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy is holding its 2nd Annual Energy Ball in Detroit on Sept. 14Register here. For those interested in all sustainability issues, tickets are now available for the Rise Up & Drawdown Michigan conference at DeVos Conference Center in Grand Rapids on Sept. 25. Also see the exhibitor opportunity listed below.  

National Energy Events

Register for North America Smart Energy Week from Sept. 23 to Sept. 26 in Salt Lake City, co-hosted by the Smart Electric Power Alliance and the Solar Energy Industries Association.

National Clean Energy Week is Sept. 23 to Sept. 27, and involves a number of events in Washington, DC.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service is holding Discover Global Markets: Powering & Building the Middle East & Africa in Houston, Texas from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. This event is for companies who want to learn how to enter the renewable energy, electricity infrastructure, construction, engineering, transportation and oil & gas sectors in the Middle East & Africa. There is also the opportunity to pre-schedule meetings at the event with U.S. commercial diplomats. Learn more here.

On Oct. 2 in London, UK, Greentech Media’s Off-Grid Energy Access Forum is featuring speakers including Valérie Levkov, VP for Africa, Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean at EDF, parent company of Michigan EIBC member EDF Renewables, on the topic of solar systems and mini-grids in the developing world. Click here to register.

Register here for Advanced Energy Now | West, Advanced Energy Economy’s regional energy policy conference, to be held Oct. 16 to 17 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Greentech Media’s Power & Renewables Summit is in Austin, Tex., on Oct. 29 to 30. Topics include clean energy mandates, post-subsidy scenarios, East Coast offshore wind, distributed energy resource participation in wholesale markets and more. Go here to register. Energy Storage North America’s 2019 Conference & Expo is in San Diego from Nov. 5 to 7.

The U.S. Commercial Service has also organized the Clean Energy and Zero Emission Vehicle Technologies Trade Mission to Mexico from November 18 to 23. This one-week trip for U.S. companies involves one-on-one meetings, conferences, roundtables, a networking reception and OEM and tier 1 plant visits with the automotive and clean energy industry in Mexico. Contact U.S. Commercial Service Mexico Energy Industry Specialist Claudia Salgado at claudia.salgado@trade.gov. The U.S. Commercial Service is also offering free consultancies for Michigan EIBC members interested in these business sectors in Mexico.

Opportunities

As part of Gov. Whitmer’s new initiative for greater use of renewable energy and efficiency in state government, the Department of Technology, Management and Budget has released a request for proposals for an Audit, Design and Construction Consultant for the implementation of an energy savings project at the Michigan Department of Corrections at its complex in St. Louis, Mich. Those who want to be considered must submit a questionnaire by 2:00 pm on Aug. 29. Go here to learn more.

The Michigan Energy Office’s Small Manufacturers Energy Waste Reduction Incentive Pilot is offering rebates of up to $15,000 per company for small manufacturers that can implement energy efficiency activities between Oct. 1, 2019 and July 31, 2020. There is a 100% minimum match requirement. Click here to learn more about eligibility and apply.

Click here to learn more about reserving an exhibitor table at the Rise Up & Drawdown Michigan conference in Grand Rapids on Sept. 25.