Energy Systems in Western Michigan City High Middle School Isabel Maternowski, Camille Emig, Brian Domanski and Henry Atkins

Where is Grand Rapids, Michigan?

Our Energy Usage

Sustainable Energy Systems Michigan is growing our renewable energy industry Renewables - (Solar, Wind, Water Turbines,, Biomass) multiple benefits provide employment for Michigan’s workforce (over 76,000 jobs) by 2020 the industry could provide 21,000 jobs in manufacturing alone Michigan’s clean economy is fueling state recovery clean energy - reliable and inexpensive wind energy is ⅓ cheaper than energy from coal Michigan Renewable Portfolio Standard passed in 2008 helping us transition to a clean energy economy requires electric utilities to generate at least 10% energy from renewables

Biomass What is biomass? Energy source derived from organic matter (living or recently living organisms) Cellulosic Ethanol- crop waste specific crops grown that produce cellulosic ethanol switchgrass, willow, hybrid poplar grow easily in michigan’s climate potential to produce 4 million tons of feedstock for bioenergy per year 50 million gallons of ethanol- could power more than 80,000 cars each year Biomass plants are located in or near small towns- the industry is a large employer Collective facilities- bring $72 million into communities

Wind Energy Michigan- home to 121 companies employing 4000 workers Great amount of potential wind power Close proximity to the Great Lakes- abundance of offshore wind Winds off of Lake Michigan and Huron could generate at least 22,000 megawatts of offshore wind power Increased investment in wind power could double the state’s electricity consumption and power over 9 million homes

Hydroelectric 13 Hydroelectric plants currently in use in Michigan Serves about 70,000 per year 35% of Michigan’s renewable energy 13.5 trillion Btu Tax credits Some receive 1.1¢ for each kilowatt hour of energy they produce

Solar Energy Between 2003 and solar industry fastest growing economy increasing at a rate of 15.8% each year 121 companies 6,300 workers 1,041 kilowatts worth of solar materials made by 2009 Michigan’s solar potential 3,500 gigawatts Need to take advantage of the sun’s infinite resources

Obstacles to Renewable Energy “One-off” renewable energy projects Not enough widespread change Few large scale projects Economic Obstacles Up front costs Maintenance costs (despite lower overall cost) Reliability Wind - not always blowing Solar - clouds, nighttime

More Obstacles Policies and laws Michigan’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Required 10% of energy was renewable by 2015 Michigan surpassed this goal Proposal for 25% by 2025 was turned down Nothing in place afterward Lawsuits - wind turbines Too large and distracting Threat to birds in the area Example of skepticism and pushback

Solutions ● Clean Power Plan and Michigan Implementation ○ projected to save $1 billion in 2020 ○ creation of 7,000 jobs ● Renewable Energy Standard ○ billions of tons of carbon pollution reduction ○ $2.3 billion in clean power investment ○ saved $1.2 billion in 2013 ● Urban Renewal Programs ○ Over $450 million in federal funding for Detroit blight removal ○ Neighborhood improvement districts (GR)

Local Solutions ● Green Roofs - notable locations include John Ball Zoo, Rapid Central Station, Wege Plaza, Grand Rapids Ballet, Kent County ISD ● Solar Panels - residential, Butterworth Landfill, City of Grand Rapids ● Public Transit - expansion of the Rapid ● Micro-Unit Housing - Venue Tower ● Voluntary Renewable-Based Electricity Purchases - Brewery Vivant ● Reduced Food Waste, improved Recycling Programs - City High Middle School

Sources to-exceed-renewable-energy-production-standard _Working1_29_15__i.pdf