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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:
Happy Thanksgiving from Michigan EIBC
We hope you have a great Thanksgiving break this week! As we get ready to close out 2021, we still have several events this year coming up.
On Dec. 6, Michigan EIBC members, legislators and legislative staff are invited to our next Energy 101 session, a discussion about energy policy in Michigan and how increasing access to advanced energy solutions can improve economic development and keep jobs in our state. Join us on Zoom at 10:30 am.
Then, on Dec. 9 in Detroit at the headquarters of our member Walker-Miller Energy Services, Michigan EIBC is holding an Advanced Energy Workforce Development Convening that will focus on how to improve diversity. RSVP here. This event is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
Michigan EIBC’s Grace Michienzi Joins New Leaders Council Detroit
We are thrilled to announce that Michigan EIBC Director of Research and Policy Grace Michienzi has been selected for the 2022 cohort of the Detroit chapter of the New Leaders Council, an organization that develops and uplifts leaders who can make a positive impact on their communities.
The New Leaders Council just announced nearly 700 local leaders around the country as members of its 2022 cohort. Congratulations, Grace!
Michigan Energy News
- “We didn’t go into this project thinking “How do we put a floating solar project here?”, Evan Riley, CEO of Michigan EIBC member White Pine Renewables tells PV Magazine about the company’s planned project with Plainfield Township. “Rather we approached this project like we do all projects with the question, “How can we apply clean technology to help save our customer money and help them achieve their environmental goals?”
- The costs of improving reliability in response to the changing climate should not be borne by ratepayers alone, Michigan Public Service Commissioner Tremaine Phillips says.
- The Build Back Better Act will help save money for DTE ratepayers, the company’s CEO Jerry Norcia says.
- Energy is one of the biggest expenses for schools, which is why the Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative is working to get solar energy available to 4,000 K-12 buildings around the state.
National Energy News
- Natural gas fuel shortages and low hydroelectric generation threaten reliability in several regions of the country this winter, the North American Electric Reliability Corp.
- Jigar Shah is leading the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office into a bigger focus on the demand side of the energy equation, as exemplified by virtual power plants.
- Legislation to fund energy efficiency programs in Ohio is dividing environmental groups and consumer advocates there.
- First Solar announces it will supply bp and Lightsource bp with 5.4 GW of solar panels, the largest-ever single order for the PV solar manufacturer.
Job Board
We are debuting a new section of the newsletter for Michigan EIBC members to post job openings in advanced energy fields. 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.
Energy Sciences
Position: Senior Retro-Commissioning Engineer, Metro Detroit
“As a senior retro-commissioning engineer with Energy Sciences, you will join our team of degreed and licensed engineers, scientists, and energy efficiency professionals to meet the energy use challenges of commercial and industrial facilities. We’re looking for experienced and talented technical team members to assist our clients, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, in making their building systems work, identifying energy-savings opportunities, reducing waste, and saving operating cost. You will play a key role in a growing company that is dedicated to driving our vision of a sustainable and socially responsible energy future, working in an exciting, collaborative environment.”
Foresight Management
Positions: Senior Project Manager, Sales Coordinator, Business Development Rep
Foresight is hiring for these and other positions. Visit the Careers page here.
NextEnergy
Position: Technical Program Manager, Mobility, Detroit
“Support NextEnergy’s Mobility practice through the execution of programs designed to accelerate smart, clean, accessible solutions for communities and cities under the leadership of the Director, Technology Development. You’ll work with technology companies, business stakeholders, public agencies, and NextEnergy partners to launch and manage demonstrations of technologies that help demonstrate and commercialize next-generation mobility technologies and business models.”
NOVI Energy
Position: Project Engineer, Novi, MI
NOVI Energy is growing, and they need your help. This month, they announced a joint venture with Osaka Gas USA to develop over 1000 MW of solar power generation facilities, enough solar and storage to power more than 150,000 homes with clean, affordable energy while creating good-paying jobs. This is one of several exciting projects NOVI Energy is developing! Learn more about their company and available Project Engineer positions. See open positions here.
SunPower
Position: Senior Associate, Market Development and Policy
SunPower is seeking a Senior Associate, Market Development and Policy, to advocate on SunPower’s behalf on state policy with various public service commissions, state legislatures, and state agencies to drive residential, commercial and community solar and energy storage adoption in the Midwest U.S., particularly in Illinois and Michigan. The successful candidate must be a self-starter, comfortable working remotely, and have experience navigating various regulatory dockets, reviewing public comments, and summarizing state legislation. Frequent travel within the Midwest region may be required at times. Location is flexible, although presence in Illinois is preferred.
Michigan and National Energy Events
The U.S. Energy Storage Association Annual Conference & Expo (#ESACon21) will convene December 1-3 in Phoenix to bring together buyers, sellers, investors, and leaders in the energy storage industry for an event focused on driving deals and business in the energy storage industry. The #ESACon21 is a must attend for anyone looking to expand their business, invest in, or develop partnerships in the energy storage industry. Michigan EIBC members can register using code MIEIBC2021 for a 5% discount off nonmember passes. Learn more here.
On Dec. 6 at 10:30 am, Michigan EIBC is holding a virtual Energy 101 event about how energy policy can keep C&I companies and jobs in Michigan. Please join us on Zoom if you are a Michigan EIBC member, state legislator or legislative staffer.
The Advanced Energy Workforce Development Convening on Dec. 9 in Detroit at the HQ of Michigan EIBC member Walker-Miller Energy Services will focus on ways to improve diversity in renewable energy, efficiency, energy storage, advanced mobility and other industries. RSVP now.
Gov. Whitmer created the Council on Climate Solutions as an advisory body to help formulate and implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The council is holding a series of meetings throughout the year on various topics related to cutting Michigan’s CO2 emissions and recommending solutions for communities disproportionately affected by climate change. Go to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Office of Climate and Energy website to learn how to join these meetings.
Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Energy has an opportunity for $105 million in funding for small businesses that are working to deploy clean energy technologies. “This funding opportunity is open to small businesses that have previously received SBIR or STTR grants to provide additional opportunities to compete for funding to develop working prototypes of their discoveries,” according to the DOE.
The Lansing Board of Water and Light has put out a Request for Information for Energy Storage. Responses are due Nov. 30. More information here.
Michigan EIBC member Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University is now accepting applications for its C3 Accelerator. Apply here by Jan. 10, 2022. C3 is a growth stage Accelerator with up to $1.6M in funding in the form of grants, investments, and services to support the product development and scaling of Cleantech, Climatech, and Circular Economy technologies.
The Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4) is seeking a full-time contract position to provide coordination of C4 leadership, organizational representatives, Grand Rapids residents, and the program deliverables.
State of Michigan DNR is going big in solar with projects in the ground, others in development and additional ones being planned. DNR has released a Request for Proposal for Prequalification Program for Renewable Energy PPAs: www.michigan.gov/sigmavss. Use “Guess Access” to get the RFP. A previous round of pre-qualifications netted solar companies that then were able to bid on a portfolio of DNR solar projects in Southwest Michigan. Another portfolio in the Northern Region is in the works for later this year. Only companies who pre-qualify can bid on future DNR solar projects. Please direct all correspondence to the Solicitation Manager, Laura Gyorkos at gyorkosL@michigan.gov.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s PlanetM Testing Grant gives mobility companies the opportunity to access testing facilities around the state, including Mcity at the University of Michigan. Apply here.
The Detroit 2030 District is a free program that challenges Detroit building owners and managers to reduce wasted energy. Those that achieve the greatest reductions from the prior-year baseline will be recognized at the first annual Detroit Energy Challenge Award Ceremony in 2021. Visit 2030districts.org/Detroit to find out more information including how a building can apply.