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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>ENERGY TIDBITS – July 2010<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'>Michigan Appliance Rebate program still has incentives available,
but dollars are limited. To date, 49% of the program funds for refrigerators,
clothes washers, and dishwashers have been spent, with approximately 50,000
rebates being issued to Michigan residents. The furnaces and water
heaters program has spent approximately 5%, with approximately 150 rebates
being issued to Michigan residents. DOE has recently approved a rebate
increase for this portion of the program. Rebate levels have increased
for the following products: 1) Propane Furnaces—increase to $500, 2) Propane
Water Heaters—increase to $300, 3) Oil Furnaces—increase to $500,
and 4) Solar Water Heaters—increase to 25%, maximum of $2,500. Residents
who already received a rebate will get an additional amount to raise them to
the new levels. <a href="http://www.mirebates.com/">www.mirebates.com</a>
& <a href="http://www.michrebate.com/">www.michrebate.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Governor Granholm has
announced that the state of Michigan has achieved a 22% reduction in energy use
at state facilities throughout Michigan during the last fiscal year compared to
fiscal year 2002. If this reduction had not been achieved, the state would
have paid an additional $30 million last year. Since the Governor took office,
the state has achieved a total utility cost avoidance of $89.9 million. Energy
Use Reduction Coordinators representing each agency meet regularly to exchange
ideas, gather information, and provide updates on their progress.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing grants and loans will go to 9 small
Michigan manufacturers. Governor Granholm announced that the manufacturers
will share $20 million funded by the federal Recovery Act. One of the
companies is Great Lakes Industry in Jackson which will convert its existing
gear manufacturing operations to meet the growing demand for precision gear
boxes needed in large wind turbines. Another company is Ventower
Industries, which recently broke ground for its new facility in Monroe.
Ventower will build the structural steel towers that are used to support
commercial-sized wind turbines. A third company, URV USA in Rochester will
establish a foundry to produce high-quality castings for the wind industry. <a
href="http://www.michigan.gov/gov/">http://www.michigan.gov/gov/</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>DTE Energy has introduced a new 100 home, 6 month program to
promote whole home energy savings for residential combo customers in Southeast
Michigan with both MichCon gas and Detroit Edison electricity. To deliver
the Whole Home Performance Program, DTE Energy has teamed up with <a
href="http://www.wellhome.com/home" title="http://www.wellhome.com/home"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>WellHome</span></font></a> (a Masco
company), and <a href="http://www.michigansaves.org/"
title="http://www.michigansaves.org/"><font color=black><span style='color:
windowtext'>Michigan SAVES</span></font></a> to promote, incentivize, and
deliver comprehensive home energy retrofits. The program, which started
on June 1 offers rebates of up to $3,500 for whole-home energy retrofits
achieving 20% in savings, and low interest unsecured financing through Michigan
SAVES. For more information, go to <a
href="http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/saveEnergy/rebates/wholeHome/wholeHomePerformance.html"
title="http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/saveEnergy/rebates/wholeHome/wholeHomePerformance.html"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext'>Whole Home Performance Program</span></font></a>
link at </span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN
style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'><a
href="http://www.yourenergysavings.com/">www.yourenergysavings.com</a></span></font><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Uni-Solar has unveiled a "Technology Roadmap" to 12%
conversion efficiency by 2012 with a cost per watt of less than $1. The company
is targeting 20% plus for conversion efficiency. The roadmap includes
enhancing the laminate which will improve conversion efficiencies to 8.2% by
close of 2010, high rate deposition which targets 10% by end of 2011, and
use of nanotech to result in 12% by end of 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Michigan Uniform Energy Code Public Hearing will be held on July 20,
9:00 AM in the MSP Auditorium, Michigan State Police Training Academy, 7426 N.
Canal Rd., Dimondale. The MUEC rules are proposed to be effective 120 days
after filing with the Secretary of State. The proposed energy residential
rules will adopt the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code with Michigan
amendments. The proposed energy commercial rules will adopt the ANSI/ASHRAE
Standard 90.1-2007. Oral or written comments may be presented in person at the
hearing or must be received in writing no later than 5:00 PM on July 20. <a
href="http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-10575---,00.html">http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-10575---,00.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Michigan Energy Appraisal: Summer 2010 from the MPSC indicates that
Michigan's total electric sales are projected to increase by 2.1% in 2010,
following a 6.7% decrease in 2009. Impacted by the recession, sales in 2009
were the lowest seen since 1997 with declines in all sectors: residential,
commercial, and industrial. Part of last year's decline can be attributed to
the cooler than normal summer, which saw cooling degree days 35% below normal.
Even with the projected moderate increase in 2010, sales will only approach a
return to their 1998 levels. <a
href="http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/reports/energy/10summer/index.htm">http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/reports/energy/10summer/index.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation & Development Council is
offering a $62,600 grant to one institution to fund the retrofit or replacement
of an existing boiler to accommodate wood fuel. Boiler systems in the range of
500,000 to 4 million BTU/hour are targeted. A matching requirement of at least
1:1.5 (or $93,900) is required. Funding preference will be given to facilities
with high public demonstration potential within the Southeast Michigan RC&D
Council area (Lenawee, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne
Counties). All project proposals must be submitted by July 26. <a
href="http://semircd.org/ash/news/woodenergyRFP0610.pdf"
title="http://semircd.org/ash/news/woodenergyRFP0610.pdf">http://semircd.org/ash/news/woodenergyRFP0610.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>Harlan Byker and his company, <a
href="http://www.pleotint.com/" target="_blank"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>Pleotint LLC</span></font></a>, </span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>have </span></font><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>worked for 12 years to develop a window film that reacts to
sunlight.</span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:
"Times New Roman"'> </span></font><font color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-family:"Times New Roman";color:windowtext'>Sandwiched between two
panes of glass, the film darkens on hot, sunny days, keeping out heat, and goes
transparent on cloudy days to let in available sunlight to heat the interior.</span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'> </span></font><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>Sunlight Responsive Thermochromic film got a boost this week
with a </span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>$402,457 federal grant that will be used for </span></font><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>independent research t</span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>o</span></font><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'> determine the effectiveness of the film on sunlight control.</span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'> </span></font><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>A year-long test of the window film product is planned at the
Iowa Energy Center</span></font><font face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>. </span></font><font color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";color:windowtext'>A
2006 study by GMB Architecture + Engineering, of Holland, found that the</span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'> product can
provide between 17-</span></font><font color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-family:"Times New Roman";color:windowtext'>30</span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>%</span></font><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'> in energy cost savings.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>University of Michigan Team has won the American Solar
Challenge for a third consecutive North American title. </span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>The
week-long, biennial 1,100-mile competition for solar-powered vehicles started
in Broken Arrow, Okla., on June 20 and ended in Naperville, Ill., on June 26.
The UM car was the first of 13 to cross the finish line for a final time of 28
hours, 14 minutes and 44 seconds. This is the sixth North American title for
UM, which won the inaugural event in 1990 with its first car, the Sunrunner.
Infinium is believed to be the university's fastest solar car ever. It reached
100 mph in testing. <a href="http://solarcar.engin.umich.edu/">http://solarcar.engin.umich.edu/</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dow Corning has been awarded $1.2 million from DOE to develop an
insulating façade system for commercial buildings. The funding will assist Dow
Corning in the development of a silicon-based high-efficiency building
insulation system which could be used in retro-fit and new construction
applications. The insulation project is focused on achieving R-40 or greater
for exterior insulation and finish systems.<font color=black><span
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>1.26 kW PV roof-integrated system has been
installed on my house. I needed a new roof and Consumers Energy $.65/kWh Experimental
Advanced Renewable Program (EARP) incentive certainly helped. Unfortunately
that “feed-in-tariff” program is completely full right now. PV
Watts software program estimates I should get 1440 kWh’s per year or
about 20% of my electric needs. So far, I’m averaging 4.8 kWh’s
per day. If you want to see the type of PV system, go to <a
href="http://www.lumaresources.com/">www.lumaresources.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>GreenRoad
attempts to change drivers' fuel-wasting ways by giving them constant feedback –
a little black box -- and by sending them weekly emails that analyze their
driving and offer tips. The box has three lights and when the car's driver
makes a fuel-wasting or dangerous move, such as making fast, sharp turns or
weaving through traffic -- the LEDs go from green to yellow to red. The
GreenRoad system has been installed in more than 80 corporate fleets since
2008. Some clients have seen accident rates halved and fuel savings of 5 to 10%.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>Underwater Power Generation Concept is the top winner of
Motivate Michigan, a corporate-sponsored collegiate competition to generate
ideas to improve Michigan's economy. UM students Tarun Koshy and Nicholas
Williams presented "Thunder From Down Under," a proposal to install
underwater turbines in all the major lakes and rivers of Michigan. They also
presented the technology of a UM spinoff called Vivace Power that uses a
property of moving water called vortex induced vibration to make tubes move up
and down in a frame, generating power. The first place proposal won $20,000 in
scholarship money. More than 300 ideas were received from virtually every
university in the state. </span></font><a
href="http://www.motivatemichigan.org/"><font face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>www.motivatemichigan.org</span></font></a><font
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'> <b><span style='font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Pulte Homes, the nation’s largest homebuilder, is expanding its
offering of solar power in its new home communities. Bloomfield Hills-based
Pulte Group says its renewable energy strategy is unique, in that its solar
offerings span the homebuilder’s diverse brand portfolio: from first-time
buyers to move-up buyers to those in 55+ active adult communities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'>University of Michigan has adopted LEED Silver certification
as its standard for major new construction projects. The new policy builds upon
an existing UM commitment to exceed by 30% ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007, giving
the university one of the most rigorous collegiate construction standards in
the nation. UM buildings that have already achieved LEED certification include
the Gold LEED Dana Building, home of the School of Natural Resources and
Environment, and the Silver LEED Stephen M. Ross School of Business. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>GenShocks, can use the kinetic energy of bounces to generate watts,
putting the electricity to use running a vehicle’s windshield wipers,
fans or dashboard lights. The company making the devices indicate they can
lower fuel consumption by 1-6% depending on the vehicle and road conditions.
GenShocks are projected to be on the market in the second quarter of 2011. <a
href="http://www.levantpower.com/">http://www.levantpower.com/</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>DTE Music Theatre lawn seats won’t be the only thing that’s
green this summer during the 2010 concert series. DTE Energy will pair up with
its GreenCurrents program to provide the amphitheater with 100% renewable
energy throughout the concert series. This is the third year that the Palace
Sports & Entertainment will use 100% “green” energy.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>East Michigan Chapter of AEE has been successful in getting the AEE to
bring the CEM 5 day course to Michigan this fall. The CEM course and exam
will be held at Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit on October 25–29. Space
is limited, please sign up immediately! <a
href="https://www.aeeprograms.com/seminars/calendar.htm"
title="https://www.aeeprograms.com/seminars/calendar.htm"><font color=black><span
style='color:windowtext'>https://www.aeeprograms.com/seminars/calendar.htm</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Energy <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Tidbits</st1:PersonName>
is free and is prepared by John Sarver, Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor, &
Economic Growth. To subscribe, contact <a href="mailto:sarverj@michigan.gov">sarverj@michigan.gov</a>.
Previous copies can be found at <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/energyoffice">www.michigan.gov/energyoffice</a>
under Publications.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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