Michigan Alternative & Renewable Energy Center
The MAREC Minute: September 2012
September 2012 Issue, Vol. 4, No. 1 & 2 Past Newsletters
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A Message from the Director
Active collaboration and noteworthy creativity come to mind as I reflect on MAREC staff efforts over the past few months. We are working with many partners, both public and private, to advance knowledge about new technologies and to leverage the value that MAREC and its resources can contribute to new business and economic development activity in the region.
I have a reminder sign in my office that reads “Collaborate or Die!” Mindful of that stark admonition, we focus daily on identifying new partnerships, sharing information about energy technology resources and supporting development of new technology oriented businesses. MAREC staff are working on many projects designed to help others move their ideas, innovations and visions forward.
Activities presently underway include our Lake Michigan offshore wind research work with many project partners. Also our Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) effort in partnership with the Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership agency. That project is bringing solar energy technology to dozens of low and moderate income households as well as a number of human service agencies that provide residential services.
On the technology front we are bringing university resources, private entrepreneurs and skilled scientists together to advance efforts in the battery technology sector. Our business development efforts are very active as well, with incubator tenants and external start-up businesses receiving a wide range of services from the MI-SBTDC and Muskegon SmartZone based Michigan Business Accelerator Fund programs.
Recently we launched a “Walk-in Wednesday” program for those who want to explore and learn about MAREC opportunities. Stop by and see our collaboration in action!
Arn Boezaart, Director
LongerDays Joins MAREC Incubator
A company that provides U.S.-based virtual assistant services is the newest tenant at MAREC.
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Chad Lawie, founder of LongerDays. |
LongerDays.com signed a two-year lease agreement with Grand Valley State University to occupy MAREC business incubator space. Based in Muskegon, the 2-year-old firm provides outsourcing services such as web design, copy writing and administrative support to more than 80 domestic and overseas clients, including ones in Montreal, South Africa, Alaska, U.K. and Costa Rica. |
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LongerDays.com has 12 full-time employees who moved into MAREC July 1. The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) and MAREC staff members helped Lawie develop finance and business plans for the company.
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LongerDays virtual assistance staff work in MAREC’s incubator space.. |
New Programs Promote Business Growth, Development
A series of new programs at MAREC will help energy and technology entrepreneurs to develop and grow in any stage of business ownership.
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The Virtual Tenant Program is designed for individuals or groups of entrepreneurs who need business services, resources and meeting spaces, but are not ready for a dedicated office space. MAREC provides virtual tenants with access to meeting spaces, business development opportunities, support services and training programs. The first virtual tenants are McKenzie Bay and Michigan PACE, two energy start-ups that previously were on-site tenants. |
Joe Graczyk, MAREC Incubator Manager, hosts Walk-in Wednesdays, allowing visitors to discover MAREC—no appointment necessary. |
Joe Graczyk, incubator manager for MAREC and management professor in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley, notes these programs seek to connect with young, high-tech companies and energy initiatives throughout the Lakeshore region. “We offer a range of services to help businesses grow no matter what stage they are at,” he said.
For more, contact Joe Graczyk at graczykj@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-6914.
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Save The Date: October 6th MAREC 2012 Solar TourTwo Tour Sessions: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Read more about the MAREC 2012 Solar Tour |
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Wind Research Buoy Tackles Mid-Lake Challenge
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On May 7, the WindSentinel research buoy that is collecting data for GVSU’s Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Assessment Project was towed 37 miles offshore to an anchor site in Lake Michigan known as the mid-lake plateau. At that location it is gathering wind data, conducting bird and bat acoustic measurements and collecting water quality information for the full research season until mid-December. |
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Commenting on the data collection effort to date, Arn Boezaart, MAREC Director said, “Early results are very promising with consistent and significant wind conditions recorded by the WindSentinel. We are collecting upper elevation wind and related atmospheric conditions as well as biotic data that will provide new insight into the mid-lake environment. Our data collection efforts using the latest available technology will benefit research scientists and the renewable energy sector for years to come.”
Using a floating research platform to collect wind data at commercially significant elevations has never been done before on the Great Lakes. Scientists and other project supporters across North America are eagerly awaiting the results,” he added. |
Project staff visit the buoy in July for inspection and retrieval of onboard data cards, which store real-time one second data to complement the summary data transmitted hourly via satellite phone.
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MAREC Explores Flow Battery Technology
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Demonstration model of flow battery at MAREC. |
While its research is in early stages, MAREC is exploring flow battery technology, an approach to energy storage that has promise for large scale renewable energy projects. In addition to creating a demonstration flow battery jointly with GVSU’s Chemistry Department and School of Engineering, MAREC is working with Ann Arbor-based Vinazene Inc., which has patented a charge-holding organic compound with potential use in flow batteries. MAREC is assisting Vinazene in pursuing SBIR Phase II funding from the US Department of Energy for prototypes and testing. Redox flow batteries are electrochemical cells that convert chemical energy directly to electricity. They store electrical charges using electrolyte liquid material which is circulated through the system and stored externally in tanks. Flow batteries can be rapidly “recharged” by replacing discharged electrolyte liquid and recovering the spent material for re-energization. Critics of wind and solar power point to its intermittent qualities—“it’s not always there when you need it.” The ability to store wind and solar power in large electrical storage systems would provide a more level playing field between fossil fuels and renewable energy technology, said Arn Boezaart in a September MiBiz article.
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Entrepreneurs Benefit From Business Accelerator Fund (BAF)
Five West Michigan companies assisted by MAREC together have received more than $123,000 in business development assistance with a variety of new product or early stage business development activities thanks to the Business Accelerator Fund (BAF) program, an initiative of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center.
With MAREC assistance, grant recipients applied for funds for a variety of activities that illustrate the breadth of innovation coming from emerging Michigan companies. For example:
Mackinac Technology Company develops and commercializes energy-saving thermal insulation products. Mackinac Tech is currently developing a transparent window coating insulation system for retrofit applications, using its proprietary coating technology that is expected to yield a 2-3 year payback period for the product resulting from energy savings. The company received a grant for technology and prototyping.
BioSolutions, LLC formulates, blends, packages, and distributes biodegradable cleaners and industrial coolants that help companies provide an environmentally safe and healthy workplace. BAF is providing legal development assistance with trademarks, labeling and other product work to strengthen their ability to fully commercialize their product line.
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Dirt Works, LLC has developed an intuitive and inexpensive on-board visual reference product and associated mounting platform for the heavy equipment and construction industry. The product is expected to compete with more costly laser and GPS instruments that help machine operators determine the level and grade angles of the terrain they are preparing. BAF funds will help produce prototypes and production molds so the company can fulfill customer orders. Sustainable Partners, LLC (SPART) has formed a partnership with a German engineering company, enCO2, to develop an anaerobic digester for Lowell Light & Power using enCO2’s patented system to produce energy from bio-waste (manure, food waste, grease, and wastewater sludge). SPART will develop bio waste-to-energy projects in Michigan that provide low-cost, high-return energy alternatives for utility, farm and municipal waste system operators. With a BAF grant, SPART is developing legal documents, a web site and accounting system to support their business development needs. |
Nuts and Bolts about BAF BAF awards are tightly focused on companies with characteristics that offer potential for the highest return on investment for business and job growth. Preference goes to high-tech firms, not only in renewable energy but also sectors such as homeland security & defense, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and others. MAREC has been designated as a resource organization that identifies and enables qualified Michigan companies in these sectors to pursue business development awards of up to $50,000 from BAF. |
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GeLo has developed a “geo-locator“ smart tag product that makes location-specific information available to smart phone users. The GeLo tags can be used in a variety of settings to provide specific information about their ocation. Applications of the technology may assist museums, parks, schools, retail, and other settings. BAF will support the manufacture of first-production GeLo tags to be installed at ten “beta site” locations.
Jim Edmonson, BAF project manager, observes that "new start-ups as well as small established firms with great ideas can benefit from the BAF support services program. It gives entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to move ideas from concept to early-stage commercialization.”
Education & Outreach: MOCAP, SERC And More
The Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership (MOCAP) is winding up its Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE). The final phase includes the installation of 46 additional residential units (see box), bringing the total number of installations to 120 under the grant. In addition a 16 kW PV system and a large solar water heating system were recently installed on West Michigan Therapy’s transitional living facility in Muskegon. Kim Walton, MAREC program coordinator and project consultant, will continue to assist MOCAP with gathering data on energy-savings from homes for the USDOE.
See MOCAP-SERC Photo Gallery
Participants, staff and contractors involved with the MOCAP SERC project attended a Solar Cookout at MAREC on Saturday August 18. More than 40 people showed up for hotdogs, veggie burgers, and a tour of MAREC. Although the weather was too cloudy to cook using solar alone, the solar cookers served to illustrate more renewable technology.
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MOCAP/SERC Renewable Energy Installations this year
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GOALS EXCEEDED FOR MEDC ENERGY GRANT |
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| Another outcome of the EDC grant and MAREC outreach was a consulting contract with Barry County to support a county wide recycling plan. Barry County turned to MAREC because of the links between recycling and energy issues, such as transportation and cogeneration. Kim Walton will direct the four month project that includes interviewing local government officials and surveying residents about recycling practices. | |||||||||
ENERGY LIBRARY NOW AVAILABLE
MAREC has a new lending and resource library covering a wide range of renewable and sustainability topics. The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) moved their library to MAREC after moving into shared quarters with Michigan Energy Options in Lansing. The materials are on permanent loan to GVSU.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
MAREC joined Muskegon County, the Muskegon Conservation District, and West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) to host a rain barrel-making workshop on August 16th. The closely-linked themes of energy and water conservation made for a well-attended event.
MAREC also offered a Summer Speaker Series in August, covering topics from financing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to the latest on residential wind turbine technology. The series may be repeated at GVSU’s Grand Rapids campus.
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Page last modified October 1, 2012
