MER - December, 2008

NextEnergy boss sees sharp job growth from renewables industry
Within a relatively few years, Keith Cooley believes that Michigan could see hundreds of thousands of new jobs in renewable energy technologies. And Cooley is in a place to help make that happen -- he's the new CEO of NextEnergy, the state's renewable energy industry accelerator. In interviews this month, Cooley said Michigan has particular advantages during a national tipping point of transformation away from a petroleum-based economy. Cooley said he's also expecting to spend more time in Washington, D.C. than his predecessor, NextEnergy's initial CEO, Jim Croce. That's mostly because he's expecting an Obama administration to be friendlier to renewables, and this coming Congress to be greener as well.

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14 teams advance in DTE, UM clean energy business plan contest
Fourteen teams -- all with connections to the University of Michigan -- have advanced to the second round of judging in the Clean Energy Prize competition. The competition was founded this year to help move clean energy technologies from the laboratory to commercial production. DTE Energy -- through its DTE Energy Ventures subsidiary -- and UM are challenging teams from Michigan colleges and universities to develop the best business plans for bringing new clean energy technologies to market. The teams with winning ideas will share $100,000 in prize money, with a grand prize of $65,000. The competition is a rigorous, multi-round process geared to reward top clean energy business ideas and provide students with experience and expert feedback on what it takes to create a successful clean energy startup business. More at www.dtecleanenergyprize.com.

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Renewables group complains about new state energy laws
An Escanaba-based renewable energy announced plans to change Michigan's new law limiting electric competition because it violates a federal strategy for homeland security issued in July 2002. Partners GREEN (an acronym for a Group for a Renewable Energy Efficient Nation) said the federal strategy calls for building a less vulnerable electric grid, in part by generation at smaller, widely scattered power plants. The new state law puts roadblocks toward that goal, they said. Michigan GREEN is asking the public to sign a petition and learn more about the issues at www.michigangreen.org/content-28.html.

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MSU offers bioeconomy update
Michigan State University is offering a podcast update on the latest from its Office of Biobased Technologies. The office's associate director, Bruce Dale, talks about what the bioeconomy is, and describes the role of the office at MSU. Dale gives his views on the food vs. fuel debate and the controversy surrounding net energy. He describes his latest research on indirect land use, too. And he'll have you using the word "grassoline." Listen at www.spartanpodcast.com/russ/BDale08.mp3.

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MPSC moves forward on renewable energy
The Michigan Public Service Commission this month created the Wind Energy Resource Zone Board and appointed 11 members to serve on it. The move was required under Public Act 295 of 2008, which mandates that anyone selling electricity in Michigan generate 10 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2015. Under the law, the MPSC also directed utilities to file renewable energy and energy optimization plans.

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Pa. energy tech nonprofit opens new Detroit office
Johnstown, Pa.-based Concurrent Technologies Corp. has broadened its Detroit operations by establishing a new office in Wayne State University's TechTown research and technology park. The new office will be located in TechOne at 440 Burroughs St., Detroit 48202. The company says this new office will support CTC's ongoing work in vehicle power and mobility. More at www.ctc.com.

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French energy firm buys downtown Grand Rapids steam system
Veolia Energy North America, a provider of sustainable energy services and energy plant operations and management, announced that it had purchased the assets of the downtown District Heating and Cooling system in Grand Rapids from Kent County. The price was $2.4 million. The county has owned and operated the service since 1990. The new name of the business is Veolia Energy Grand Rapids LLC. The Veolia plant, located on Fulton Street, across from Van Andel Arena, houses four industrial boilers that provide steam to 135 customers in the Central Business District via 7.5 miles of underground pipe.

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DTE biomass project hits early milestone
A landfill gas-to-energy subsidiary of Detroit's DTE Energy is about to produce its 10,000th megawatt hour of electricity, DTE Biomass Energy officials said. The plant began operating at the Iredell County Landfill in Statesville, N.C. only in August. DTE Biomass Energy, the parent company of Iredell Transmission, has nearly 25 projects across the United States that convert landfill gas into some form of useable energy. At the Iredell landfill, two Caterpillar engines are used to generate enough electricity to power more than 3,000 homes. The electricity generated at the site is sold to EnergyUnited for distribution to its customers.

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Even with bright long-term future, analyst cuts ECD estimate
Auburn Hills-based Energy Conversion Devices Inc. was mentioned over the weekend in a Barron's magazine blog on solar energy and solar stocks. The good news is that the firms are still expected to prosper long term, but the bad is that short term, price targets and earnings estimates are being cut. More at the Barron’s blog.

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Fuel cell-powered devices getting closer
Laptop, cell phone and iPod owners tired of having their devices run out of charge after a few hours have been patiently waiting for the next portable power source to arrive. Tiny fuel cells, powered by combustible liquids or gases, have long been touted as the eventual solution. Potentially, they could power a laptop for days between refills. But fuel cells have perennially remained a year or two away from reaching the market as companies have worked on making them small, cheap and long-lasting, while making sure they don't overheat. More from the AP.

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State designates three more 'energy centers of excellence'
Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan Economic Development Corp. CEO James C. Epolito announced Michigan Strategic Fund approval of three alternative energy partnerships in Ann Arbor, East Lansing/Webberville, and Alpena to be designated the state’s newest Centers of Energy Excellence. The centers will work on advanced batteries, a two biofuels biorefineries. The COEE designees were subject to a formal review process that included an oral interview and a written review of their application. To be considered for COEE program funding, candidates submitted a letter detailing the project and amount of funding requested, a business plan or proposal, and a letter of support from the university involved with the project. For complete details on the application process, visit www.michiganadvantage.org/21CJF.

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