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May
3, 2004
Grand Rapids Business Journal
By Mark Sanchez
MUSKEGON — Those behind the development of Grand
Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative
and Renewable Energy Center tout the $8 million project
as representative of the coming age.
Using a natural gas-powered fuel cell, solar energy
cells on the roof, nickel-hydride batteries for power
storage, and sustainable design, the center is a self-sustaining
facility with a mission to prove, develop and help commercialize
alternative and renewable energy technologies. The center
also serves as a business incubator for start-up companies
involved in the renewable energy field.
“We have an opportunity to really make a difference,”
Grand Valley State University President Mark Murray
said last week at a VIP dedication of the center.
Grand Valley State developed the energy center under
a partnership with the city of Muskegon in the Edison
Landing high-tech business park planned along Muskegon
Lake.
The 25,000-square-foot facility is an example of distributed
energy, where power is generated on site rather than
through connecting to the electric grid.
“Grand Valley State University has dared to imagine
a 21st century energy vision,” said Imad Mahawili,
executive director of the Michigan Alternative and Renewable
Energy Center. “This is the dawning of the distributed
energy age.”
At last week’s dedication, speakers touted the
center for its potential to seed new economic centers
in Muskegon — the development and production of
products related to alternative and renewable energy
— and help push renewable energy technologies
and lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign
oil in the future.
“This facility and its mission is absolutely key
to the economic health of our state and the nation,”
Michigan Public Service Commissioner Bob Nelson said.
“This facility will serve as a beacon for those
who want to help the country navigate the very rocky
shores of future energy policy.”
The MPSC provided a $3 million grant to Grand Valley
to develop the center.
While renewable and alternative energy sources aren’t
seen as replacements to the burning of fossil fuels
to produce electricity, they can provide a strong complement,
said Gary Nowakowski, regional team leader in renewable
energy for the U.S. Department of Energy’s office
in Chicago.
The department has been supporting initiatives designed
to further the development of renewable and alternative
energy technologies and the concept of distributed energy,
Nowakowski said.
“It’s efforts like this which will really
enable us to reach our vision,” he said of the
Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center. “It’s
going to be interesting to see the kinds of things that
are going to come from this center.” BJX
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