MER - January, 2009

RMT wraps up Michigan Wind 1 construction
Madison, Wis.-based RMT Inc. has completed construction of Michigan Wind 1, located near Ubly. With a total capacity of 69 megawatts, Michigan Wind 1 is the largest commercial-scale wind farm in Michigan. It began commercial operation in mid-December, and will produce enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes per year and avoid over 124,000 tons per year of CO2 emissions if this power were to come from fossil fuel plants. RMT's WindConnect team provided construction of the civil and electrical services for the site, including erecting 46 GE 1.5-megawatt SLE wind turbines and constructing the substation, collector system, access roads, crane pads and crane paths, tower foundations, and associated civil infrastructure. John Deere Renewables acquired Michigan Wind 1 from Noble Environmental Power in October 2008. For more information, visit www.rmtinc.com.

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MSU patented process cuts cost of making cellulosic ethanol
A patented Michigan State University process to pretreat corn-crop waste before conversion into ethanol means extra nutrients don't have to be added, cutting the cost of making biofuels from cellulose. The AFEX (ammonia fiber expansion) pretreatment process, developed by Bruce Dale, professor of chemical engineering and materials science, uses ammonia to make the breakdown of cellulose and hemicellulose in plants 75 percent more efficient than when conventional enzymes alone are used. Now, for the first time, it's feasible to use agricultural residue like corn stover -- stalks, cobs and leaves -- to make biofuel. For more information on Michigan State University's biofuel and bioenergy research, visit: www.bioeconomy.msu.edu.

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UM experts: hot spots in developing world may fuel higher energy demand
Developing countries use proportionally less energy than industrialized nations, but this could soon change. As personal income increases in developing countries, many of which are in warm-to-hot climates, the increased use of air conditioning could lead to an unprecedented increase in energy demand, says a University of Michigan researcher. In a new study published in the journal Energy Policy, Sivak examined the potential energy demand for residential heating and cooling in the world's 50 largest metropolitan areas. His analysis used data on "heating and cooling degree days" -- units that relate to the amount of energy needed to heat and cool buildings. One heating (cooling) degree day occurs for each degree the average daily outdoor temperature is below (above) 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Sivak's analysis indicates that among the world's 50 largest cities, the top 13 in terms of cooling degree days are located in developing countries, such as India, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria. All but two of the top 30 are in these and other developing nations. For more on Sivak, visit: www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/public/experts/ExpDisplay.php?ExpID=700.

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Hybrid truck maker Azure to cut 25 percent of staff
Oak Park-based Azure Dynamics Corp. announced a cost reduction plan that is to include 25 percent of its current work force. Company officials said the cuts would eliminate roughly 30 permanent and 10 contract-temporary positions, with only five of the job cuts coming at company headquarters, and the rest at the company's research offices in Vancouver, B.C. and Boston. In a statement, the company said the restructuring was "designed to address the realities of today's economy and marketplace while meeting the demand for tomorrow's most energy efficient commercial vehicles." In addition, Azure said it plans to further rationalize its product development efforts to focus on existing products and is actively working with its customers on potential new programs that involve sharing of development costs.

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Biofuel carbon footprint smaller than feared, MSU research finds
Publications ranging from the journal Science to Time magazine have blasted biofuels for significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, calling into question the environmental benefits of making fuel from plant material. But a new analysis by Michigan State University scientists says these dire predictions are based on a set of assumptions that may not be correct. "Greenhouse gas release from changes in land use -- growing crops that could be used for biofuels on previously unfarmed land -- has been identified as a negative contributor to the environmental profile of biofuels," said Bruce Dale, MSU University Distinguished Professor of chemical engineering and materials science. "Other analyses have estimated that it would take from 100 to 1,000 years before biofuels could overcome this 'carbon debt' and start providing greenhouse gas benefits.""Biofuels, Land Use Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Some Unexplored Variables" is available online at http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es802681k. For more information on Michigan State University's biofuel and bioenergy research, visit: www.bioeconomy.msu.edu.

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Azure Dynamics gets battery deal with Johnson Controls-Saft
Oak Park-based Azure Dynamics and the Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls-Saft, a joint venture of Johnson Controls Inc. and the French battery firm Saft, announced a new supply agreement to provide advanced lithium-ion batteries for Azure Dynamics' hybrid commercial truck powertrains. The five-year supply agreement signals progress in the development of a United States supply base to help build an infrastructure for development and manufacture of hybrid electric vehicles. Most current hybrid electric vehicle technology uses nickel metal hydride batteries. Lithium-ion offers a lighter, more powerful design with a longer life than most current technologies and is viewed as the technology of choice to power plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the near future. Until recent advances, large lithium-ion battery packs were plagued by overheating risks. But now, Johnson Controls-Saft has multiple production and development contracts with global automakers.

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Michigan to benefit from Volt
Michigan will benefit from General Motors new Chevy Volt electric vehicle. GM's Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced this month at the North American International Auto Show that LG Chem of South Korea will supply the lithium-ion battery cells used in the Volt. Compact Power Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem based in Troy, will build battery packs for Volt prototype vehicles until GM's battery facility is operational. Volt vehicle line director Tony Poswatz said Monday that GM also will open a new battery lab at its Warren technical center.

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UM, GM open $5 million advanced battery research lab
Engineers at the University of Michigan have formalized an important relationship with General Motors to accelerate the design and testing of advanced batteries for electric vehicles. A five-year, $5 million award establishes the GM/UM Advanced Battery Coalition for Drivetrains, headquartered at UM. The ABCD will accelerate the development of advanced batteries by conducting experiments and simulations to better understand issues of battery life and performance. The ABCD is the latest in a series of collaborative efforts between the university and GM. The auto manufacturer works closely with the College of Engineering in the Energy Systems Engineering master's degree program, now in its second year. This program, which Sastry directs, aims to create the workforce necessary for a smooth transition to a time when automobiles and the electric grid interface on a regular basis.

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Michigan Tech, GM, ESD offer hybrid course to laid-off auto engineers
In a move to help address Michigan's economic crisis, Michigan Technological University is joining hands with General Motors Corp. and the Engineering Society of Detroit to provide free retraining for displaced automotive engineers. Michigan Tech will offer a one-semester, three-credit course in advanced propulsion technology at ESD headquarters, to equip displaced engineers to meet the growing demand for workers skilled in green automotive technologies. Applicants should submit one letter of recommendation, a resume and a letter of intent to Linda LaPointe via email at llapointe@esd.org or by mail to LaPointe at the Engineering Society of Detroit, 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, Mich., 48076.

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New environmental, lifestyle blog launches
Detroit-based Earthbound Express Inc. said Saturday it had launched Earth, Wind & Power, a new blog to bring readers the latest environmental developments and news on a variety of topics, and tips on what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint. "Global warming has become a mainstream concern with a growing trend towards fuel-efficient vehicles, green travel alternatives, and consumers turning to eco-friendly housing, products and clothing," said EE founder Courtney Caldwell. "People have come to realize they do indeed have the power to heal the planet." More at http://blog.earthwindpower.net.

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Few details, but battery plant planned for Michigan
Watertown, Mass.-based A123Systems this month announced that it had submitted a $1.84 billion federal loan application toward $2.3 billion in lithium-ion battery mass production plants in the United States. The company, which has research operations in Ann Arbor, said the first production site would be in southeast Michigan. Company spokesman Stephen Roy said A123 wasn't releasing information on how large the first plant would be or specifics on its location. The loans, of up to $1.84 billion, would come under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program.

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New marketing communications firm has sustainability focus
Element-e, the first marketing and communications consulting group in southeast Michigan focused on environmental sustainability and organizational alignment, has opened for business. Located in Brighton, element-e will focus on helping clients align their environmental commitment with their operational and marketplace actions. Element-e provides clients with ISO 14001-inspired needs assessment, compliance auditing, learning development, and a full range of marketing communications services. For additional information on element-e, visit www.element-e.biz.

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