MUSKEGON — The timing was exquisite. Just as a frenzy of interest in the development of alternative energy swept across the United States, the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) in the Muskegon SmartZone recorded its third major success.
“Number one was the selection and integration of the renewable and alternative energy technologies that have been demonstrated since the opening day,” MAREC Executive Director Imad Mahawili told MiBiz.
The second success was the Michigan Public Service Commission grant to fund a biomass initiative. Through this biogester project, biomass (animal waste) from a Ravenna farm will be converted into methane gas and subsequently into electricity. The third success is the private funding of three alternative energy-related technologies.
New businesses are also being born at MAREC. Three incubator companies have been housed at MAREC for the past one-and-a-half to two years, although Mahawili said the three privately held companies aren’t yet ready to be discussed publicly.
The 25,000-square-foot U.S. Green Building Council LEED-certified building that houses MAREC produces its own energy to heat, cool, light and power the building. A fuel cell turns natural gas into electricity and the building’s photovoltaic roof tiles harness solar power to create useful energy. MAREC is one of the first commercial buildings to integrate fuel cell and solar power energy with nickel metal hydride battery storage and technology and heat recovery capabilities.
MAREC has also expanded its energy audit initiative that involves a team that visits commercial facilities to show business owners how they can reduce energy costs. “Companies are asking all the time about reducing energy consumption, so we created this program,” said Mahawili.
Education is the key to continued success for MAREC and the state, remarked Mahawili.
“I would like to see us increase our renewable energy education in West Michigan,” he said. “We need to educate our brilliant young minds. We need to understand these things beyond just demonstration.”
MAREC is the centerpiece of the Muskegon SmartZone, but it is only one part of the area that was established as part of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. plan to diversify Michigan’s economy during the Engler administration. The Muskegon SmartZone is a partnership of the city of Muskegon, Muskegon County and Grand Valley State University. Alternative energies and chemical engineering are the two technical focuses of the zone.
Muskegon city officials plan to get a share of $8 million in pre-seed funds from the state that will help businesses that have developed a product take it to the next level, according to Muskegon Economic Development Director Cathy Brubaker-Clarke. The city plans on applying for state funds so Muskegon Area First can administer the program on the local level.
In addition to birthing new technologies and businesses, the Muskegon SmartZone includes a very active residential and commercial development component.
Edison Landing is the name chosen to symbolize the innovative waterfront site. This mixed-use development combines university resources, new energy technologies, corporate offices, residences, recreational, and retail offerings in a single location on the shores of Muskegon Lake.
Chris Kelly, a member of Lakefront Development LLC and partner with Parmenter O’Toole moved into the firm’s new office building in Edison Landing in April 2006.
“Clearly it (the Edison Landing site) has got traction and is moving exactly as we hoped it would. I would consider it a big success,” Kelly told MiBiz.
A condo project called Vida Nova is being built next to Parmenter O’Toole by Grand Haven developer Doug Harjer, and Grand Rapids-based True North has a one-acre site for Viridian Place at Edison Landing, a planned office building development. A boardwalk and seawall is expected to be completed this summer.
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