1/22/2012
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
With an initial goal of developing cost effective, off-the-shelf anaerobic digestion technology for small and medium-sized farms, Michigan State University has established its Anaerobic Digester Research and Education Center. The Center brings together resources that were spread across four laboratories on the East Lansing campus. There are already 150 manure digesters at large dairy farms across the nation, with the potential for 8,000 more according to EPA estimates. If all sites implemented biogas systems, they could generate 1,500 MW of renewable energy. Michigan has 6,000 small to medium dairy farms that are being targeted under the MSU effort.
12/19/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
Five elements to include in an energy policy for Michigan:
BIOMASS ENERGY: Make use of the energy in biomass that is going to waste in this state. The BTU content of the “unused biomass” in the state of Michigan is enormous.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY/CONSERVATION: Make better use of our existing energy resources. Because our energy costs are so low, citizens and industry are not very aggressive in avoiding the “waste” of electricity and fuels. Increasing the price of energy (a carbon tax would be a start with a redistribution of the revenues to accomplish energy efficiency) is an option that deserves serious consideration.
DEREGULATION/CUSTOMER CHOICE ON ELECTRICITY: Reintroduce competition into the purchase and production of electricity. The deregulation of Michigan’s electric industry which was begun in 2000 was reversed in 2008. Just as competition in the telephone industry drove down prices and fostered innovation, the same competitive effect could drive Michigan’s electric industry.
ENCOURAGE ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Make electric cars work in Michigan. The state has placed a huge bet on the success of the electric vehicle industry; it is time to lead the nation in electric vehicle ownership. State government should fill its fleets with electric vehicles and the infrastructure for electric vehicles needs to be built out. Consider tax incentives for vehicle purchases.
BE A MODEL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY: Made-in-Michigan renewable products and technology could lead the world. Michigan already is a leader in the solar energy field with Hemlock Semiconductor and United Solar Ovonics; we need to demonstrate how this technology can be adapted for integration into buildings, the electric grid, and society. Similarly, Michigan has fledgling biofuels, biomass, wind, and geothermal industries and technologies that need to be strongly encouraged, whether with grants, tax incentives, or other assistance. To make Michigan a showcase for the implementation of these technologies, we need a larger renewable portfolio standard (from 10 percent to 25 percent) and the removal of barriers to self generation (i.e. unreasonably high standby rates and unreasonably expensive interconnection charges).
These may not be the top five, but they deserve to be near the
top of the list.
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12/16/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
Wind farm projects and plans are cropping up all around Michigan. The Gratiot County wind project commenced construction in September and is starting to give tours. The Muskegon County Board has just approved a proposed lease agreement that gives Muskegon Wind LLC, a partnership between Gamesa Energy USA and Scandia Wind Offshore, exclusive rights to research and investigate the suitability of constructing a wind farm on the County’s wastewater treatment site. Duke Energy has narrowed the potential location for its Gail Windpower project to Pleasanton and Joyfield Townships in Benzie and Manistee Counties. Construction commenced on November 7 at the Lake Winds Energy Park being developed by Consumers Energy in Mason County, with the delivery of 56 Vestas V100-1.8 MW turbines scheduled for the first half of 2012. The Huron County Board of Commissioners has approved the creation of the Deerfield Energy Overlay District in the northeast portion of that county. Meanwhile, 63 proposed wind turbine sites in southeast Lenawee County have been ruled a presumed hazard by the FAA due to their proximity to the Toledo Express Airport. For more on proposed projects, see MPSC wind farm summary at www.tiny.cc/miwind.
12/15/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
Valerie Brader, Governor Snyder’s new Chief Energy Policy Officer, has been on the job since September 12. This week she has been moved from offices at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to the Governor’s Office. A Harvard Law School graduate, her energy experience includes clients in the advanced battery industry, non-profits working on energy efficiency issues, and companies affected by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rulings. Although the Governor has previously stated he would announce his energy policy in the fall of 2011, Brader has indicated that because of her own late appointment this date has been pushed back to the first quarter of 2012. Two of her recently expressed concerns are energy prices and energy reliability. She has been quoted as saying: “The Governor wants an energy policy that is sustainable, as I said before, both economically and environmentally.”
12/11/2011
by Varnum’s Battery Law Industry Group
Chevrolet has announced that there is will an all-electric version of the Spark mini-car, the Spark EV. It will be sold in select U.S. and global markets, including California, beginning in 2013. General Motors is using feedback from various test markets to finalize the design for the Spark. There are demonstration fleets in Shanghai testing the Sail EV, in Korea testing the Cruze EV, and India testing the Beat EV. A123 Systems will supply the advanced nanophosphate lithium-ion battery packs that will power the Spark EV.
12/8/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
Garforth International and a team of city employees recently presented a Community Energy Plan to a town hall meeting in Holland. The plan provided national and world-wide background information on energy issues, and suggested a course of action for the City of Holland leading up to its bicentennial in 2047. Five scenarios for managing and meeting future electric demands were offered, with various combinations of: wind energy, natural gas generation, district heating infrastructure, solar energy, biofuels, wood chips, coal, and wastewater treatment plant sludge incineration. Scenario B was recommended, which proposes continuing the city’s current course of action, aggressively pursuing energy efficiency projects, and making investments in wind, solar, and other renewable resources. The next step is to have the Community Sustainability Committee make recommendations to the City Council.
12/6/2011
by Varnum’s Battery Law Industry Group
Seven automobile manufacturers (Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Prosche and Volkswagen) have agreed to a single-port fast charging approach for use on electric vehicles in the United States and Europe. It will be a harmonized DC vehicle inlet/charging connector for all vehicles made by these companies. They also agreed to use HomePlug Green PHY as the communications protocol. The standardization is beneficial to customers, the manufacturers, and charging infrastructure providers. The new system will be backward compatible with the J7772 connector standard in the U.S. for Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations.
12/5/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
The West Michigan Wind Assessment project report has published its fourth issue brief, this one on perceptions and opinions regarding the development of off shore wind energy in Lake Michigan. Funded by Michigan Sea Grant, the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) study concluded that off shore wind development could be acceptable to the study’s participants if: it reduces pollution and dependence on fossil fuels; the visual impact is minimal; property values and tourism are not significantly harmed; coastal communities realize a benefit; the public participates in the siting process; there is not a substantial utility rate increase; there is no harm to wildlife, recreation, or fishing; and technical challenges, such as ice buildup and transmission can be overcome.
12/2/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
NextCAT, Inc, a Wayne State University startup company, has received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Award of $498,830 from the National Science Foundation. The goal of the company is to commercialize a catalyst that will cost effectively convert waste vegetable oil, animal fats, and residual corn oil into biodiesel fuel. Economic projections are that the catalyst would provide a production cost savings of at least one dollar per gallon, dramatically changing the economics of a biodiesel plant.
11/28/2011
by Bruce Goodman, Energy Lawyer
Two different groups are now actively advocating for electric-rate reform in Michigan. The Customer Choice Coalition and Energy Choice Now are working to change the 2008 state law that guarantees that 90 percent of the customers doing business with Consumers Energy and DTE Energy are prohibited from buying electricity from anyone else. Former state senator Wayne Kuipers is serving as the executive director of Energy Choice Now, which was formed last year by a group of businesses and school districts. Michigan deregulated the electric industry in 2000, allowing residents and businesses to choose electricity suppliers. But in 2008, at the insistence of the utilities, this option was capped at 10 percent of total customer load.
