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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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