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August 20, 2026

Newsletter: MI EIBC Weekly: Microgrids and more!

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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:

    Michigan Town Adds Microgrid to the Menu

    The city of Cadillac, MI is converting its municipal buildings to a microgrid system. This small, self-contained electric-power grid can connect and disconnect seamlessly from the traditional grid and is especially useful when there is an outage. Microgrid systems have an automatic switch that will keep the lights on using distributed energy technologies. In Cadillac’s case, it will connect seven municipal facilities, including city hall and the wastewater treatment plant, to solar energy using battery storage. 

    Recently, Michigan EIBC worked with Senator Camilleri to introduce Senate Bill 477 that would make it possible for municipalities and other entities to connect microgrid technologies. As Michigan EIBC Policy Director Justin Carpenter wrote in this Crain’s Rapids commentary: “By enabling and encouraging the development of microgrids, legislators can reduce the burden on the electric grid, provide resilient power, and help attract high-tech manufacturing and the great jobs that come with it.”

    Register For the 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala

    Michigan EIBC’s 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala will return to Detroit’s Gem Theatre on October 7, bringing together more than 300 leaders from across Michigan’s advanced energy industry, government, and business community for an evening of networking and recognition. Since its inception, the Gala has become one of Michigan EIBC’s premier events, celebrating the companies, projects, and public officials helping advance Michigan’s energy economy while providing attendees an opportunity to connect with industry peers and policymakers. For event information and registration, click the button below.

    REGISTER FOR THE GALA HERE

    Michigan EIBC extends its sincere appreciation to this year’s Gala sponsors, whose support helps make the event possible. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Brianna (brianna@mieibc.org) for more information!

    New Member

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    Michigan Energy News

    • LG Energy begins production at new $2.6B Michigan battery plant. (Crain’s Detroit Business)
    • Consumers energy is replacing 149 miles of aging pipeline across Michigan. (WNEM)
    • Governor Whitmer has urged Michigan regulators to reject proposed sale of 13 hydroelectric dams. (WWMT)
    • AG Dana Nessel and environmental groups are challenging the Michigan PSC’s approval of a 1.4-gigawatt AI data center in Saline Township. (Planet Detroit)
    • General Motors says its electric vehicle charging stations will meet demand. (Detroit Free Press)

    National Energy News

    • After being banned from owning power plants, New York utilities are turning to solar and wind farms. (WXXI)
    • Utility scale solar is leading the pack when it comes to new U.S. power plants. (Inside Climate News)
    • Ultra-long-duration storage could help solar and wind deliver reliable power to energy-hungry data centers. (Interesting Engineering)
    • Despite slower growth in the electric vehicle (EV) market, the public charging experience continues to improve. (JD Power)
    • Swapping your gas car for an electric vehicle is a climate win in almost all cases, says a new study. (Canary)

    Events

    • August 25: Renewables Ready Communities Award: Program Overview and Guidance Webinar – Join EGLE for an overview of Michigan’s new $90 million Renewables Ready Communities Award (RRCA), funded through the federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. This webinar will introduce local government officials and planners to the potential revenue opportunity for communities involved in permitting utility‑scale renewable energy projects. Register here.
    • September 1: Powering Your Fleet: Maximizing Funding Opportunities to Enable Fleet Electrification – Join Michigan EIBC and Clean Fuels Michigan for a public convening workshop to learn more about funding opportunities available to public and private fleet operators to support fleet electrification. The event will feature industry experts and key state stakeholders to talk about how to stack available funding, coordinate with advisory services, and choose the right vehicles and charging to meet your needs. Register here.
    • October 7: 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Gala — Join Michigan EIBC at the Gem Theatre in Detroit for its signature annual celebration of Michigan’s advanced energy industry. The gala brings together more than 300 business leaders, policymakers, and energy professionals to recognize outstanding achievements in clean energy through awards honoring Business of the Year, Public Official of the Year, Project of the Year, and other industry leaders. Register here.

    RE+ Midwest brings together leading clean energy businesses, utilities, professionals, and policymakers for an exclusive two-day event designed to empower you to meet the energy transition head on. This year’s education programming has expanded to include in-depth sessions surrounding siting, land use, and community energy in addition to state energy briefings and panels discussing relevant market trends in the region. From rustbelt to greenbelt, clean energy is a force moving forward, and the Midwest is no exception. Register here.

    Jobs

    If you have a job announcement you would like in the newsletter, please send the position and a link to apply to Mark Griffin at mark@mieibc.org. Please include in the email a specific end date for the job posting.

    Opportunities

    Resources