The weekend's Michigan Energy Fair featured lots more than informational exhibits from renewable energy vendors.
Industry experts and state officials also made presentations on the future of the industry.
Tom Stanton of the Michigan Public Service Commission reviewed the state's new renewable energy rules and regulations before a packed tent. The rules, he said, go far beyond the well publicized requirement for all electric utilities in Michigan to get 10 percent of their power from renewables by 2015.
They also offer true "net metering," in which people with home generation equipment get to sell their power back to the utilities at what in effect amount to retail rates, as well as state income tax credits for renewables. There are also energy optimization plans required of state government, and special Wind Energy Resource Zones for large scale wind power.
Stanton said studies have shown that the state can cut back on its carbon emissions 25 percent by doing things that actually save money -- not cost.
And that's good, he observed, because society as a whole needs to get to 50 to 80 percent renewable power eventually, in response to climate change and the end of cheap oil.
Stanton also pointed out that Michigan has a bright jobs future in renewable energy -- tens of thousands of new jobs in the ears ahead.
One of the event's keynoters, meanwhile, was a familiar name to GLITR readers -- Scott Harrison, CEO of Oak Park-based Azure Dynamics, the hybrid truck builders. Before a crowd of around 100 at the fairground's ancient grandstand, he likened today's energy challenges to the building of the trans-continental railroad in the mid-19th Century -- with vision from government, private capital and immigrant labor, the railroad was built, even during a time of war.
Harrison noted that commercial vehicles burn 52 million gallons of gasoline a day, and produce 21 percent of all vehicle emissions, despite being only 12 percent of vehicles on the road.
The answer may just be Harrison's Azure Dynamics and its Balance Hybrid medium-duty commercial trucks, which produce 30 percent better fuel economy, 40 percent less greenhouse emissions and cut maintenance costs 40 percent compared to their gasoline-only counterparts.
With a normal urban delivery driving cycle, Harrison said the trucks pay for themselves in about four years, despite costing $75,000 vs. $45,000 for a gasoline-only truck. Most such trucks have a 10-year service life, he added. "We're not asking anyone to be green for the sake of being green, we're telling people they can save money and be green," he said.
Harrison said his company's trucks feature more than 90 percent United States content, and that there's a reason he moved the company from suburban Toronto to suburban Detroit.
"Michigan should lead the world in alternative transportation," he said. "We have the skill set."
The Michigan Energy Fair continues through 4 p.m. Sunday, June 28.
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