NEXTENERGY

NextEnergy exists to enable the commercialization of energy technologies that positively contribute to economic competitiveness, energy security, and the environment.

The NextEnergy eNews Update is a quarterly eNewsletter sent to all of our stakeholders to keep you informed of NextEnergy’s progress in achieving our mission. Watch for the NextEnergy eNews Update every quarter, and feel free to contact us with questions, comments, or news at 313.833.0100 x140 or at comments@nextenergy.org.

Welcome to our first issue of NextEnergy eNews Update, a quarterly e-newsletter designed to inform our valued stakeholders about NextEnergy's progress in advancing the commercialization of alternative and renewable energy products and processes. There's a great deal to tell, and such an influx of information shows no indication of abating soon in this fast moving and vital industry. We've tried to fully explore the areas which interest you most. In addition, further information on every topic described here can be found by visiting our website at nextenergy.org.

This newsletter is not meant to be encyclopedic, rather, its intention is to keep our stakeholders aware of NextEnergy's efforts in technology development, business acceleration, and advocacy. We want to show you who we are, what we're doing, and what our strategy is. Our goal is to help build a robust alternative and renewable energy industry in the U.S. using Michigan's outstanding resources in manufacturing and technology as an economic springboard.

What NextEnergy does best is connect people to other people. We connect researchers to entrepreneurs. We connect businesses to venture capitalists. We connect policymakers to information. And we're able to do this because we are perpetually gathering the newest knowledge about alternative and renewable energy advances from

What NextEnergy does best is connect people to other people. We connect researchers to entrepreneurs. We connect businesses to venture capitalists. We connect policymakers to information. And we're able to do this because we are perpetually gathering the newest knowledge about alternative and renewable energy advances from as nearby as Wayne State University to as far away as Singapore.

As far as we're concerned, our nation's energy independence and a thriving, fast growing alternative energy economy can't occur fast enough. Every word you read here is directed toward accelerating that effort. And you can be a part of it. We look forward to working with and helping you play a significant role in the exciting, growing alternative and renewable energy industry.

Jim Croce

Clinton Promotes Michigan's AET Potential: On Sunday, April 29th, former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited NextEnergy and was guided through over a dozen Michigan alternative energy demonstrations by CEO Jim Croce. President Clinton was deeply engaged and asked many questions of NextEnergy affiliates such as DaimlerChrysler Corporation, United Solar Ovonics, Menova Energy, Danotek Motion, NEXTEK Power Systems, Titan Energy Development and other Michigan companies in the wind, solar, hybrid vehicle, and biofuels industries. Joining President Clinton and Mr. Croce on the tour were Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and Congressman John Dingell. At a speech delivered to a crowd of 10,000 attendees that evening, Clinton asked all present to support NextEnergy and NextEnergy's efforts.

Solar Array Powers NextEnergy: From the very first conception of NextEnergy, solar power was intrinsically involved. Flat rooftops were designed and built with solar arrays in mind, and both the NextEnergy Center and the adjacent NextEnergy Microgrid Pavillion are powered in part by three arrays of Uni-Solar solar cells on their rooftops provided by United Solar in Auburn Hills, a subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices. The three arrays, which cover a combined surface larger than a football field, deliver 33 kilowatts (Kw) of DC power ... or enough electricity to power 6 homes. In addition, NextEnergy is host to four hydrogen fuel cells capable of generating 5 Kw apiece as well as a hydrogen internal combustion engine generator capable of delivering 120 Kw.

As part of Detroit's weeklong hosting of National Transportation Week: From May 13th to May 19th, NextEnergy was proud to sponsor several NTW events focusing on Alternative Energy & Fuels. A highlight came Tuesday, May 15th when NextEnergy partner Biodiesel Industries broke ground on their newest biodiesel refinery, located in Detroit just one mile from NextEnergy. NextEnergy CEO Jim Croce along with Biodiesel Industries CEO J.J. Rothgery and Bidiesel Industries founder Russell Teal were joined by representatives from the Michigan Governor's office, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow's office, the office of the Mayor of Detroit, as well as partners from DaimlerChrysler Corporation, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the press and others. This is Biodiesel Industries sixth refinery and the first ever to be constructed in an urban location. In addition to the groundbreaking, NextEnergy hosted a leadership breakfast during National Transportation Week as well as a media ride & drive featuring over 2 dozen alternative fuel vehicles, and a NextEnergy 2nd Annual Clean Fleets Conference.

Dr. Ralph Overend: Dr. Ralph Overend, Ph.D., joins the NextEnergy Technical Advisory Panel with credentials including longstanding membership in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and past Chairmanship of the American Chemical Society Cellulose Division (1993-94.) He edits the journal Biomass and Bioenergy and the biomass section of the journal Solar Energy. Dr. Overend has co-authored 225 peer-reviewed publications and has presented more than 150 lectures and talks nationally and internationally. Dr. Overend's lifelong career in developing long-range plans and strategies for biomass and bioenergy production make him an invaluable addition to NextEnergy's panel of technical experts.

Pamela Hurrt: Pamela joined NextEnergy after 15 years at DTE and as an independent consultant. As NextEnergy Project Manager, Pam applies her organizational skill to enhancing and expanding NextEnergy’s efforts to commercialize both new and established alternative and renewable energy technology companies. She also plays a significant role in managing NextEnergy’s Statewide Alternative Energy Technology Support Network, which has targeted 20,000 names and anticipates launching NextEnergy’s global University Linkage database before the end of the year. Pam can be contacted directly at pamh@nextenergy.org.

NextEnergy was recently awarded a 21st Century Jobs Fund grant from the State of Michigan to implement a variety of programs targeting alternative energy stakeholders within Michigan for the specific purpose of accelerating AET commercialization in Michigan. Among the stakeholders are industry SmartZones, dedicated AET incubators such as Kettering’s Fuel Cell Center and Muskegon’s Renewable Energy Center, eleven universities in the state, and a dedicated community of businesses and entrepreneurs. NextEnergy’s primary objective is to use 21st Century Jobs Fund resources to network all regions of the state with the knowledge, tools, and business interconnectivity required to build statewide economic growth in this important industry.

Titan Energy Development, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Safe Travel Care, Inc., (OTCBB:SFTV) has been awarded a grant from the Michigan 21st Century Jobs Fund and will receive $2,030,000 to develop and test its Sentry 5000 mobile utility back up system with its partners in the project, including the U.S. Military, Wayne State University and NextEnergy. The Sentry 5000 is a truck-sized transportable power plant designed to purify water and generate electricity from a variety of alternative fuels. Swift, portable disaster relief and military operations are among the Sentry 5000's expected uses.

Biodiesel Fuel Summit II - On March 12, 2007, NextEnergy hosted the 2nd annual Biodiesel Fuel summit, sponsored by the USDA, DOE, National Biodiesel Board and NextEnergy and featuring speakers including U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture Dr. Gale Buchanan and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. NextEnergy CEO Jim Croce opened the conference with a recap of the biodiesel fuel research that has occurred in the past year at NextEnergy's National Biodiesel Fuel Laboratory (NBEL) on the NextEnergy campus. NBEL is supported by NextEnergy, DaimlerChrysler Corporation, the U.S. Department of Energy, Wayne State University, Volkswagen, Bosch Corp., Delphi, and the Department of Defense. Mr. Croce called for accelerated effort to standardize biodiesel for consumer use, and invited additional participation by more stakeholders to join the NBEL effort. For more information about the National Biodiesel Energy Laboratory please visit nextenergy.org

Economic Development Coalition of Southeast Michigan - On March 27th, Detroit regional business leaders convened at NextEnergy's auditorium for a review of Detroit's Road to Renaissance economic development initiative and also to permit leaders of the Economic Development Coalition of Southeast Michigan to announce their successful mission to Washington D.C. Speakers included Jim Croce, Detroit Renaissance chairman Doug Rothwell, and Oakland County's Automation Alley Director Ken Rogers. The positive results of this strong collaboration of Michigan leaders has opened new and more productive channels in Washington, D.C. based on what Michigan can offer both to established companies as well as to start-ups and entrepreneurs. To learn more about the Economic Development Coalition of Southeast Michigan Southeast Michigan visit detroitchamber.com

Federal Facilities Environmental Workshop - On April 25th, NextEnergy hosted the Federal Facilities Environmental Workshop sponsored by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The workshop featured presentations by Edward Pinero, White House Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, and Tad Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health. Following panel discussions centered around Executive Order 13123, "Greening The Government through Efficient Energy Management" the attendees witnessed a joint signing of the EPA Region 5 Charter creating the Region 5 Sustainability Network. Signatories included representatives from all six Region 5 states; Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. To learn more about the Federal Facilities Environmental Workshop contact Mary Goodhall at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality at goodhall@michigan.gov.

Butzel Long's "Igniting Investment in Michigan - Attracting Industry though Economic Incentives" - May 24th, Radisson Kingsley Hotel, Bloomfield Hills, MI. This breakfast event featured a keynote address by James Epolito, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, along with Alternative Energy: A Cleantech Solution from NextEnergy CEO Jim Croce and Richard Manczak, Butzel Long. Economic incentive programs and Government relations discussions followed. Learn more at butzel.com or contact Sherry Beaupre at 313.983.7415.

Mackinac Policy Conference - May 28th through June 2nd, NextEnergy had a significant presence at Michigan's annual summer gathering of business leaders and policymakers at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The focus this year was on Michigan's economy, among other issues, and CEO Jim Croce participated in high level discussions with respect to the Economic Development Coalition of Southeast Michigan (see Recent Events above.) Additionally, Mr. Croce commented on the viability of Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and Energy Efficiency programs for Michigan disclosed in Next Energy's recently released study "A Study of the Economic Impacts on Michigan of Renewable Portfolio Standards and Energy Efficiency Programs" commissioned by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. To learn more about the Mackinac Policy Conference visit detroitchamber.com

Contact Us: We welcome your comments on NextEnergy's eNews Update, and ask for your input by visiting nextenergy.org or by contacting Mark Beyer at comments@nextenergy.org.

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