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Alternative Energy

Wind Energy

From biofuels to batteries, the auto industry makes SE Michigan ground zero for alternative energy research. But the quest for renewable power doesn't stop there. Whether it's solar energy leader United Solar Olvonic in Auburn Hills or wind turbine innovators elsewhere, weaning the US off fossil fuels may be the key to Michigan's economic success.

Alternative Energy Features

Guest Bloggers: Lucas Morrison, Ji Yoon Gook, Mackenzie Carlsen

Lucas Morrison, Ji Yoon "Amie" Gook, Mackenzie Carlsen Thursday, January 17, 2013

It's said history repeats itself, but our legacy of burning fossil fuels for energy isn't renewable. A team of U-M students working with SolarYpsi, a volunteer-based solar power organization gaining national prominence, gets at the root of our conservation issues.

Got Topnotch Engineers? SoulBrain Needs 'Em

Tom Murray Thursday, May 10, 2012

Allen Ibara of Northville's Soulbrain thinks the future of battery technology businesses is bright. For his company, $10 million in the next year bright. But as a CEO dedicated to building a Michigan firm that employs Michigan natives, Ibara is concerned that we're not producing enough first-rate electrical and chemical engineers to take advantage of this highly charged industry.

The Politics Of Wind Power

Dennis Archambault Thursday, September 22, 2011

Even with all the talk of green technologies breaking our dependence on coal and oil, change has been slow to come. Metromode looks at Ontario's alternative energy initiatives - how they've helped nurture a wind power industry and what Michigan might learn from them.

Metro Detroit's Institutes Of Greener Learning

Kim North Shine Thursday, April 28, 2011

New and better ideas. Innovation. These are the things we associate with our institutes of higher learning. So, now that green technology and practices are becoming a way of life, how do Metro Detroit's universities and colleges fare when it comes to sustainability? Metromode's Kim North Shine checks out who's doing what to reduce their collective carbon footprint.

Beer Is Fun! Q&A with entrepreneur Mike Plesz

Jon Zemke Thursday, December 09, 2010

Beer here now! If anyone knows the meaning of those word it's Mike Plesz. The serial brewpreneur has been launching local microbrew pubs since 1994. His latest endeavor --Rochester's Mind Body & Spirits-- is a successful sustainability-oriented restaurant. Plesz talks with Metromode about beer, local food production, green practices, and more beer. Bottoms up!

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Alternative Energy Blogs

Mary Templeton

Thursday, October 01, 2009

With Michigan Public Act 295 the state must obtain 10% of its energy from renewable sources by 2015. As the wind turbine blades turn, alternative energy employment is becoming a vast new horizon for the region. Mary Templeton, an Executive VP at Wind Energy Consulting and Contracting, explains her career switch from the auto industry to renewable energy, and Michigan's efforts to foster talent in this new field.

Mike Finney

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Mike is president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. A passionate advocate for the transformation of Michigan's high-tech economy he also managed the MEDC�s $1 billion Michigan Life Sciences Corridor initiative between 2000 and 2002. Mike will be wriing about who's making a difference in the Michigan and why.

Jacob Corvidae

Jacob Corvidae Thursday, March 08, 2007

Jacob Corvidae is our guest blogger this week. He is is the Green Programs Manager for WARM Training Center and co-founder of Sustainable Detroit. Not one to mince words, Jacob offers his thoughts on the challenges our region faces now and in the future.Check back here every weekday for Jacob's thoughts.

Want to join the conversation? Please send your comments to: feedback@metromodemedia.com

Doug Rothwell

Doug Rothwell Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Metromode's guest blogger this week is Doug Rothwell, president of Detroit Renaissance. Here's what he has to say about transforming the region's economy.

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Alternative Energy Videos

A2 Mech Shop

Keith Jefferies Thursday, October 22, 2009

It's all about playing nice together. Concentrate has reported on everything from food co-ops, to co-living communities to co-working facilities. It only seems fair to throw a little love to the A2Mech Shop, a shared technical space for entrepreneurial engineers and innovative mech heads.

Ann Arbor's Veggie Fueled Party Bus

Keith Jefferies Thursday, October 15, 2009

Ann Arbor's B2B Party Bus is everything sustainable new urbanist hipsters ever dreamed of: An entrepreneurial enterprise that runs small scale private transit on secondhand cooking oil in order to transport young party-goers around downtown.

Flexsys Knows Which Way The Wind Blows

Keith Jefferies Thursday, June 11, 2009

It's all about efficiency - lighter, stronger, more flexible. Flexsys is taking U-M born innovations into the marketplace (that's called tech transfer for you newbies) to improve wind turbine and aerospace technologies... and, of course, grow our high tech economy.

Element One

Tom Hendrickson Thursday, December 18, 2008

Fifty Lawrence Tech students banded together to create a hydrogen fuel cell powered Formula racing cart. The result? Probably the coolest zero-emissions vehicle you've ever seen.