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Welcome to the weekly newsletter of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council (Michigan EIBC), the business voice for advanced energy in Michigan. Here’s what’s new this week:
Read Dr. Laura Sherman on Michigan’s Potential for Long-Duration Storage
In a new piece in Energy News Network, Michigan EIBC President Laura Sherman writes about how Michigan has the potential to be at the forefront of the exciting field of long-duration storage. That potential includes the work of Michigan EIBC members Energy Dome and Form Energy.
Michigan’s 2023 energy legislation anticipated the future need for energy storage options that can discharge for up to 100 hours and how types of long-duration storage can be complementary to shorter-duration storage like lithium-ion batteries. The legislation ordered the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to report to lawmakers on the potential for long-duration and multi-day energy storage.
Dr. Sherman discusses how the technologies being developed by Energy Dome and Form Energy represent examples of long-duration storage in practice. She then provides some recommendations for how the MPSC’s study can “best set up the state to reap the benefits from these emerging technologies.”
Michigan EIBC’s Natalie Lyijynen Speaks At Midwestern Transmission Summit
On Nov. 9, Michigan EIBC Sustainable Business Associate Natalie Lyijynen spoke on a panel at EUCI’s Midwestern Transmission Summit on the subject of “Transmission Expansion for Renewable Integration in the Midwest.” The panel was moderated by Michigan EIBC member ITC Director of Public Affairs Kwafo Adarkwa and also featured panelists Maggie Kristian from Michigan EIBC member National Grid Renewables, Sumit Pal Singh Brar from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Dr. Devin Moeller from Black Hills Energy and Chair Doug Scott from the Illinois Commerce Commission.
On a related topic, this summer Lyijynen and Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Michigan Executive Director Amy Bandyk published an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press that gave an overview of the Michigan Tranche 1 transmission projects to educate those who are unfamiliar.
Michigan EIBC’s Sophia Schuster Speaks at Vehicle-Grid Integration Council Event
On Oct. 9, the Vehicle-Grid Integration Council held its annual EVolve conference in Berkeley, Calif., bringing together EV and technology industry leaders and experts. One panel about “navigating the road ahead” for vehicle-grid integration featured Michigan EIBC Policy Principal Sophia Schuster. The panel was moderated by Zach Woogen of the Vehicle-Grid Integration Council, and the other panelists were Harris Schaer of GM Energy (a subsidiary of Michigan EIBC member General Motors), Noel Crisostomo of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Policy and Paula Gruendling of the California Public Utilities Commission.
Schuster discussed some details about the work that went into the transportation electrification roadmap, which was released last week by Michigan EIBC, Clean Fuels Michigan, the Institute for Energy Innovation and the Michigan Clean Fuels Institute. The report has several recommendations related to vehicle-grid integration.
Transportation Electrification Convening Held in Detroit
Thank you to everyone who attended Michigan EIBC and Clean Fuels Michigan’s public convening focused on transportation electrification policies, held at the Detroit Smart Parking Lab on Oct. 22. Thank you also to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for sponsoring this event.
The convening served as the official launch of the report Transportation Electrification in Michigan: A Roadmap of State Policy Actions, which was released last week by Michigan EIBC, Clean Fuels Michigan, the Institute for Energy Innovation and the Michigan Clean Fuels Institute.
Speakers at the convening included:
- Justine Johnson, Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification
- Jake Wilkinson, Michigan EGLE
- Dr. Alan Taub, University of Michigan
There was also a panel discussion about the implementation of the roadmap, featuring:
- Colin Seals, Michigan EIBC member Bollinger Motors
- Komal Doshi, Michigan EIBC member Walker-Miller Energy Services
- Pina Bennett, DTE Energy
New Members
Kalamazoo, MI based Alamo Valley Solar (AVS) is revolutionizing commercial-scale solar PV energy with state-of-the-art solutions. From premium component selection to flawless installations, excellence defines our service. With a 25-30-year warranty and unwavering service, choosing AVS secures dependable, efficient energy for generations. AVS is a leading solar PV provider with a relentless commitment to excellence and a focus on long-term goals, we specialize in large-scale commercial, industrial, and agricultural solar PV projects. Our team’s unwavering determination ensures that we deliver high-quality work, leaving a lasting impact on our community and the environment.
Coalition for Community Solar Access
CCSA is a national trade association representing more than 100 community solar companies, businesses, and nonprofits working to expand customer choice and access to solar for all American households and businesses through community solar. We work with customers, utilities, local stakeholders, and policymakers to develop and implement policies and best practices that ensure highly successful community solar programs that champion the energy customer.
Michigan Energy News
- “Michigan manufacturing is having a moment” thanks to clean energy policy, Mel Mackin, director of state policy at Michigan EIBC trade organization member Ceres, writes in Energy News Network.
- Vince Wong, co-founder and chief operating officer of Michigan EIBC member ElectricFish, writes in the ‘Gander about how the Inflation Reduction Act has helped clean energy companies like his.
- Authors representing the Empower Michigan coalition urge Michigan lawmakers to pass Senate Bills 152 and 153, the bills that would “require electric providers to connect with community solar parks owned by third parties and offer a credit to participating customers.”
- Changes to electric rate design are needed to ensure customers who switch to heat pumps do not overpay for electricity, Douglas Jester, managing partner of Michigan EIBC member 5 Lakes Energy, says.
National Energy News
- The U.S. Department of Energy announces $10.9 million in cost-share funding for the scaling Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Integration Nationally project, a partnership between Michigan EIBC member Highland Electric Fleets, 12 utility providers and others.
- About $2 billion in grants for grid infrastructure projects make up the recently-announced third round of funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program.
- Wildfire risks have led to credit downgrades for many utility companies, according to a report from Charles River Associates.
- A barrier to fleet electrification financing is uncertainty over the value of used EV batteries, Canary Media reports.
Job Board
Attention Michigan EIBC members: if you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send a paragraph describing the position and a link to apply to Matt Bandyk at matt@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.
Advanced Energy United
Policy Principal – Decision Maker Education & Engagement – Central. Location: Remote.
Advanced Energy United (United) is currently seeking a Policy Principal to join our Decisionmaker Education and Engagement team (DMEE) in the Central United States (Midwest and Texas).
The DMEE team assists state regulators, state energy office officials, and candidates for governor to better understand advanced energy products, services, and business models. Through National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and National Association of State Energy (NASEO) engagement, business roundtables, and educational forums, United educates candidates, commissioners, energy office officials, and staff members about the benefits advanced energy technologies and services can provide to customers and helps to solve the challenges in obtaining these benefits.
The Policy Principal will be responsible for strategizing, implementing, and managing workstreams dedicated to educating decision makers and engaging other key stakeholders on topics critical to advanced energy.
Harvest Solar
Solar Sales Consultant. Location: Illinois.
Harvest Solar is seeking a Solar Sales Consultant to drive the sales of solar systems in Illinois. The successful candidate will live in the area they service, be willing to meet face to face with customers within that area and educate the customer on the benefit of solar energy. Harvest Solar provides a business-use vehicle to support home visits, cold calling, and other business travel in addition to providing the necessary equipment to establish a home office.
Solar Sales Consultant. Location: Grand Rapids.
Harvest Solar is seeking a Solar Sales Consultant to drive solar system sales in the Greater Grand Rapids Area. The Solar Sales Consultant is responsible for the origination of new business by identifying customer prospects, developing solar energy proposals, and executing all transactions required to consummate a sale and that meet the company sales goals. The position requires direct customer interaction to manage the customer through the entire sales process and beyond ensuring superior customer service and referral opportunities. The position will primarily focus on rural residential, agricultural, and small business opportunities.
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
Engineer 12 – Building Trade Industry Engineer. Location: Lansing.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is currently recruiting for an Engineer 12 position within the Materials Management Division (MMD). This position is in Lansing and is open to all applicants.
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Program and Operations Manager. Location: Lansing.
The Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) is seeking an experienced professional with a background in project planning or program management to serve as a Program and Operations Manager. This is a foundational role in the new Community & Worker Economic Transition Office, supporting our mission of ensuring that communities, workers and employers facing transitions in the auto and utility sectors have the support they need to prepare for, benefit from, and shape Michigan’s future economy. This role will support strategic planning efforts and coordinate key projects across the office’s community, workforce, industry, and research functions. Successful candidates will have experience tracking project progress and keeping complex initiatives on track, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a passion for public service.
Engagement Director. Location: Lansing.
The Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) is seeking an experienced professional to serve as the Engagement Director for the Community & Worker Economic Transition Office. This is a senior role on our team, acting as an advisor on all engagement and programmatic activities to the Office Director. The Director of Engagement will play a significant role in developing and implementing office programs and executing engagement strategies that support our mission of ensuring that communities, workers and employers facing transitions in the auto and utility sectors have the support they need to prepare for, benefit from, and shape Michigan’s future economy. This individual will also serve as a key liaison to external stakeholders in business, labor, and local officials, as well as other state departments. Successful candidates will have experience in program design and implementation, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a passion for public service.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Public Utilities Engineer 9-P11. Location: Lansing.
This position works on issues related to the interconnection of renewable energy resources, energy storage, electric vehicle to grid, and other distributed energy resources to the electric distribution grid and the implementation of interconnection rules and procedures in an engineering capacity. Additionally, this position will provide engineering research and analysis information on the evaluation of demand response and distributed generation programs. This position is responsible for providing recommendations regarding these areas. Also, will attend meetings with stakeholder groups, other state agencies, and regulated utility companies.
Walker-Miller Energy Services
Outreach Manager. Location: Detroit.
We are seeking an experienced Outreach Manager to lead the outreach and engagement for a large-scale residential energy efficiency program in Michigan. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of outreach experience and a strong understanding of energy efficiency for residential and multi-family sectors. This role requires significant experience in outreach and engagement, and managing campaigns, with diverse stakeholders.
Field Operations Manager. Location: Detroit.
We are seeking an experienced Field Operations Manager to lead the field team and activities for a large-scale residential energy efficiency program in Michigan. The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of experience in managing a field team and a strong understanding of energy efficiency for residential and multi-family sectors. This role requires significant experience in home and building assessments, quality assurance and quality control processes, and supervising a field team.
Michigan and National Energy Events
Check back for more events coming soon.
Opportunities
RMI is looking for a regulatory expert to join its electricity team and help implement regulatory policies to ensure the energy transition is affordable for all. Find out more about this position here.
The Michigan Public Service Commission has created a website tracking its progress implementing Public Acts 229, 231, 233, 234, and 235, passed on Nov. 8, 2023 and signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Nov. 28.
Rheaply, NextCycle Michigan and Michigan EGLE have launched the Michigan Materials Marketplace, which allows businesses to buy and sell excess materials so they can be reused instead of discarded.
The Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for “up to $400 million to spur innovative, community-focused clean energy solutions in rural and remote areas across the United States.” The related Notice of Funding Opportunity is expected to be released in the fall of 2024. Find out more here.
DTE Electric has re-opened its 2024 Renewable Energy All Source RFP. Proposals are due by Oct. 29. Links: 2024 Solar BTA – RFP. 2024 Solar PPA – RFP. 2024 Wind BTA – RFP. 2024 Wind PPA – RFP.
The Department of Energy has released the Fiscal Year 2024 Vehicle Technologies Office Batteries Funding Opportunity Announcement, which is offering $43 million “in funding for projects that will advance research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) in several areas critical to the future of advanced batteries.” The deadline for full applications is Oct. 30.
Michigan EGLE is launching the Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA), which makes Michigan municipalities that have, on or after October 1, 2023, begun physically hosting and/or performing local permitting for any portion of an eligible renewable energy project eligible for awards of $5,000 per MW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are depleted and there is no specific deadline. More information on this opportunity can be found on the RRCA Webpage.
Michigan EGLE is offering at least $320,000 in funding MI Solar Communities-MI Solar Access Program. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2025, or when funding is expended, whichever comes first. Find the request for proposals for MI Solar Access here.
Michigan EGLE has released an RFP for grants from its Clean Energy Workforce Development Program. The application deadline is July 30, 2025.