by Bruce Goodman
DTE Energy is seeking Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approval of two 20-year power purchase agreements and the associated renewable energy credits. The weighted average price for the 3.2 MW landfill gas project in Orion and the 17 MW biomass project in L’Anse is $98.94/MWh. This price is below the level assumed in the DTE Renewable Resource Plan.
by Bruce Goodman
Consumers Energy has obtained the approval of four power purchase agreements from the Michigan Public Service Commission. The 20- year contracts are for projects with:
When the 243.2 MW of renewable energy is on line in 2012, more than 6.2 percent of the utility’s demand will be served by renewable energy generation.
by Bruce Goodman
The MPSC staff has made a determination that the 70 MW (net) coal-fired electric generating plant being proposed by the Holland Board of Public Works is not needed. The report found that the municipal utility has not explored sufficient alternatives to show that a new coal plant was the best way to meet its current and future load. It also found that the demand growth projections were overly optimistic. The report suggested that Holland consider making purchased power a larger portion of its supply portfolio. Now the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment will weigh the report in deciding whether to grant an air permit to the project.
by Bruce Goodman
The biomass power industry can help reduce the spread of forest fires by cleaning highly flammable debris from the forest floor and harvested areas. Forest fires can be fueled by small trees and brush that create fire ladders that direct fires into the crowns of larger trees. Biomass energy plants use this and other material to create renewable energy. They encourage good forest management by creating a market for the excess small trees, slash and brush that can foster forest fires. Michigan has seven biomass-fired power plants and the resources for more. A number of coal-fired generators are looking to co-fire biomass. Reducing the risk of Michigan forest fires by improving forest health can even reduce greenhouse gases, as decomposing dead brush and slash releases methane. Managed forest resources provide the state with its own source of renewable domestic fuel and Smokey the Bear with a modified slogan: “Only you, with the help of the biomass power industry, can prevent forest fires – use it or lose it.”
by Bruce Goodman
“Energy harvesters” are tiny devices that could generate enough electricity from arbitrary, non-periodic noise and vibrations to power a watch, heart pacemaker, or wireless sensor. Examples include traffic driving on bridges, machinery operating in factories, and humans moving their limbs. The prototype from U of M’s Engineering Research Center for Wireless Integrated Microsystems is one cubic centimeter in size, uses a material that produces a charge when it is stressed, and can generate up to 0.5 milliwatt from typical human body vibration (enough to run a watch).
by Bruce Goodman
The State of Michigan has formed a partnership with the government of Navarra, Spain to work collaboratively on renewable energy projects. The MOU signed in May provides for joint activities, including policy sharing, technology transfer, value-chain mapping, and trade missions. It targets wind technology, biomass, solar energy, smart-grid technology, and bio-climactic research sectors. Navarra currently produces approximately 65 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources. The Renewable Energy National Centre of Spain (CENER), which over the past eight years has become a leader in renewable-energy technology, is located in Navarra and is expected to work with Michigan companies in development efforts, such as testing Energetx Composite wind turbine blades in its laboratory.
