Alternative Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency/Alternative Energy News:
11/11 Increasing Cut in Speed of Turbines During Low Wind Reduces Bat Mortality
10/19 Purple Wind Turbines to Save Bats?
Resources:
For Individuals:
Energy Savers – easy to follow options for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resource conservation in the home
Energy Star Home Improvement – tools, guides, and financial incentives for improving energy efficiency
For Governments and Communities:
Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) – ICLEI was founded as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and is a leading organization of local governments providing technical guidance, training, and information to help governments pursue sustainable practices. GHG assessment and reduction tools are available to members, along with information specific to Michigan.
Climate Communities is a coalition of city and county governments focusing on the link between climate change and local communities, and the need for a local community-level scale in the federal policies that tend to climate change.
Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange provides tools, case studies, and a virtual library with ideas and opportunities for climate change adaptation strategies.
Michigan Energy Efficiency Network includes forums and blogs from the experts on energy efficiency and renewable energy in Michigan.
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association provides news, information, and trainings on renewable energy options and installations in Michigan.
Midwest Renewable Energy Association provides information and trainings on renewable energy options and installations in the Midwest.
For Businesses:
Energy Star for Businesses – guides, technical support, and other tools for increasing energy efficiency in the workplace
See resources for Governments and Communities
For Schools:
Energy Works Michigan – contests and prizes for students, and the Michigan Renewable Schools Program funds energy efficiency studies and alternative energy retrofits for schools throughout Michigan
Great Lakes Energy Service – educational opportunities, mobile renewable energy classroom visits, and energy camps for schools throughout Michigan
Feed In Tarriffs
MPSC Discussion Paper on FITs in Michigan
Michigan FIT Google Group - click here to be added to the discussion list
Energy Transmission
Energy Transport Corridor Siting for Tribal Planners
Wind
US DOE Wind Powering America Wind Power for Native Americans
Michigan Wind Energy Resource Maps
Michigan Public Service Commission Wind Energy Resource Zone Board
DOE Updated State Wind Resources Webinar
Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council recommended regulatory framework for offshore wind development
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Wind Research
US FWS Guidelines for Wind Turbines
Small turbine independent testing by NREL
American Wind Energy Association
Eastern Wind Integration Transmission Report
Utility Wind Integration Group
Solar
Department of Energy Solar Resources
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Solar Research
Solar Rating and Certification Corportation -- Certifies solar systems, including the solar water heating systems covered under the 2010 Federal Tax incentive program and Michigan rebate program
Solar Electric Power Association
Solar Energy Industries Association
Find Solar -- Solar calculator (enter zip code, electric provider, and average use or electric bill), solar incentives available, and solar installers
Geothermal
DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Geothermal Program
Biofuels
Michigan Biomass Inventory Tool - RFP for Updating Tool Announced
Michigan Biomass Energy Program website
2006 MBEP Study on Clean Energy from Wood Residues in Michigan
DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program
Climate Change Reports:
New Compendium on State and Local Best Practices in Energy Efficiency and Renewables
A collaborative report on best practices in EE and RE chosen based on ease of implementation, ability to be replicated, achievable energy savings, cost effectiveness, mitigation potential, and job creation.
A group of scientists, policymakers, and regional leaders have prepared a report on national and regional preparations for adapting to climate change, based on the National Climate Adaptation Summit, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research May 2010.
EPA National Water Program Climate Change Strategy: Key Action Update for 2010-2011
The EPA National Water Program Response to Climate Change Strategy update describes actions to be implemented over the next two years.
Climate Change Agencies/Programs:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The IPCC is the leading cooperative body investigating international climate change causes, impacts, adaptation, and mitigation. The IPCC provides the most up-to-date information and is currently working on the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5).
US Global Change Research Program (Global Change)
· Coordinates US research on changes in the global environment and their implications for society
· Integrated effort by:
o Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
§ Tribal Climate and Energy Information
· Multimedia impacts, bmp’s, analytical tools, funding, and strategy guidance for mitigation
· Looking for feedback from Tribes on content
o National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
o Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC/NOAA)
§ Regional Climate Service Centers (open winter 2010-2011)
§ Provides coastal communities inundation maps, heat projections, climate and precipitation models, risk assessments for climate sensitive regions, and relevant historical and state-of-the-art climate data
· The Midwestern Regional Climate Center
o MACS data available for Michigan weather stations from 1920’s through present
· The Michigan State Climatologist’s Office
o Temperature and precipitation maps and historical data for weather from 1971 to present
o Department of Defense (DOD)
o Department of Energy (DOE)
o Department of the Interior/United States Geologic Survey (DOI/USGS)
§ United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
· LCC’s proposing to fund downscaling of regional climate change models
· Geared toward fish, wildlife, and habitat impacts
§ United States Geologic Survey (USGS)
· Regional Climate Science Centers
· Geared toward water, mineral, etc.
o Department of State (DOS)
o Department of Transportation (DOT)
o National Science Foundation (NSF
Recent Presentations
Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan visual presentations are available for download
National Tribal Healthy Homes & Energy Efficiency Conference
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