April 2024

MICEF Heads to Capitol Hill

Rep. Tim Walberg Takes Leadership Role

 MICEF participated in the now-6th annual Washington, DC Fly-in sponsored by our DC-based colleagues Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES). MICEF staff Ed Rivet and Emily Szczerowski were joined by Leadership Council member and former state Rep. Rob VerHeulen in meeting with Michigan U.S. House members or key staff to talk energy. 
 
Permitting reform related to energy projects and critical mineral mining, support for advancing nuclear power and increasing electric transmission capacity were among numerous topics during the “day on the Hill.”
 
Long-time stalwart conservative legislator, Rep. Tim Walberg, has recently been selected to serve as vice-chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus in the House. The Caucus’ perspective on energy policy syncs perfectly with MICEF’s. The climate is changing, and human activity plays a part, just as other natural factors do. What matters is the approach we take to supplying our energy needs and stewarding our natural resources. We’re thrilled to see Rep. Walberg bringing his pragmatic, pro-innovation leadership to energy policy in Washington. We were pleased to have CRES President Heather Reams join us in meeting with Rep. Walberg. 

Michigan Receives More Solar Dollars

Federal “Solar for All” grant is $157 million

 The federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) could have equally been called the Clean Energy Investment Act given the billions of dollars committed to advancing clean energy and energy efficiency technology. Along with the recent $1.5 billion loan guarantee from the Department of Energy to reopen the Palisades nuclear plant, Michigan will receive $157 million to promote solar adoption. The Solar for All program will have a special emphasis on making solar available to low/middle-income families and economically challenged communities.
 
MICEF will be engaging the State of Michigan in its process to distribute these taxpayer dollars to promote their effective deployment. MICEF is also exploring opportunities to promote residential solar expansion that is driven by a competitive market approach. Solar energy has already proven its value as an energy investment on both the residential and commercial level. We will continue to advocate for innovation and free markets driving the energy transition.

Getting More from the Grid

Better technology offers big boost

 As noted above, permitting and building more transmission capacity is key to America’s clean energy future. While we work on policies to make that process faster and less cumbersome, there are also technologies that can be applied today to increase both the volume and efficiency of electricity moving on the grid. "Right away" wouldn’t be too soon for these technologies.
 
“Advanced reconductoring” is the term for replacing the present wire composition with different materials (like a carbon fiber core instead of steel) that can nearly double the capacity of the wire. A Texas utility needed to quickly ramp up capacity to a burgeoning urban area. It increased deliverable power by 40% by reconductoring.

Then there’s the Heimdall “Magic Ball.” This monitoring device tracks wire temperature to maximize the amount of power that can flow through the line. Normal load flows are based on models to estimate safe wire temperature levels. Real time temperature data eliminates underestimating capacity and can allow up to 40% more power to flow.

MICEF Leader Gives CMU Presentation

Energy transition requires multi-front engagement

Hydro That’s “Thicker Than Water”

British firm testing simple enhancement

Michigan boasts the crown jewel of pumped hydro (water) energy storage in the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant on the shore of Lake Michigan. Pumping water to a higher elevation when surplus energy is available and releasing it on demand utilizes the kinetic energy of “falling” water to generate electricity. The challenges of pumped hydro are the large volume of water needed and the amount of elevation the water must fall to create sufficient energy.
 
The British company, RheEnergise, tested the simple idea of creating more “energy density” by modifying the fluid to a thicker mixture of water and minerals. The proprietary liquid is 2.5x denser than water, requires 40% less volume and 40% less elevation to produce the same electricity as water. It’s also cheaper than current lithium-ion battery storage, will last generations, and can be stored as dispatch-able energy indefinitely. They are testing a 500KW model now and want to jump to 10MW within 2 years.  

MICEF Seeking 8th Pischea Fellowship Class

Growing Tradition Offers Scholars a Great OpportuNITY

With the 2023-24 academic year underway, MICEF is seeking applicants for its 8th Class of Pischea Fellows. We typically select two or three fellows per class, based on the nature of their proposals and evolving energy trends. The goal is for their work to inform and advance energy policy consistent with our conservative principles.

Interested collegiate juniors, seniors, or graduate students are encouraged to review our program and apply online on our Pischea Fellowship webpage  www.micef.org/pischeafellowship or contact MICEF Program Director Emily Szczerowski at epallarito@micef.org.