Michigan Renewable Energy Success Stories

Solar Energy Wind Energy

Biomass Energy Efficiency

About This Booklet

This booklet was created under a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, administered by the Michigan Energy Office, and awarded to Michigan Energy Options (formerly Urban Options / Northern Options) for MECNet (the Michigan Energy Center Network). The information within this booklet may be reproduced freely when proper credit is referenced. This booklet is part of the Sustainability Education Handbook available at here.

This handbook correlates sustainability/learning activities (creating a healthy environment, economy, and society) to Michigan Education Standards and Benchmarks.

Authored by: John Richter

Edited by: Debra Rowe, Ph.D.

Thanks to Mary Spruill for her review.

About the Cover

Free photos available at The Photographic Information Exchange.

Solar Energy

Photovoltaic (PV) array consisting of three subarrays, each with 72 Siemens Solar SM55 PV modules.

A hybrid PV/diesel generator system provides energy to the historically significant buildings that house administrative offices on North Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan. This 11.2 kW PV array is part of the hybrid solar/diesel generator power system.

Currin Corporation

Wind Energy

One 600 kW NEG Micron wind turbine owned and operated by Traverse City Light and Power, just outside the city.

Jim Cooper, TCL&P

Biomass

Aerial photo of the Grayling Generating Station

A power station burning waste-wood is providing 36.2 MW of electricity to a city in Michigan, USA. The Grayling Generating Station produces power for local industry and residents, and generates a valuable soil additive. The generating station began commercial operation in June 1992. The plant is owned in limited partnership by Decker Energy International Inc., Primary Power, and CMS Generation Co.

Mike McPheeters, courtesy of Black and Veatch

Energy Efficiency

Light bulb with globe painted on it

Warren Gretz

Table of Contents