NextEnergy opens doors for energy partners
With the push of a giant switch inside a giant switch plate, NextEnergy symbolically powered up its microgrid Thursday, September 9, generated by alternative fuels it hopes to accelerate the development of throughout the state and beyond.
Jim Croce, the NextEnergy director and Wayne State University Engineering alum, beamed amidst the hoopla and abundance of stakeholders gathered to celebrate the grand opening of NextEnergy's gleaming new 45,000 square foot facility in Wayne State's Tech Town business incubator district.
President Irvin D. Reid, stood by, representing an important partner, who is providing the science and engineering research, resources and synergy critical to NextEnergy's success. "Our students will become the scientists and researchers who advance our nation toward energy independence," he declared. College of Engineering researchers, working in the areas of bio-diesels, nanotechnology and small sensors and integrated Microsystems are spinning off labs to the TechOne building and the NextEnergy Center.
The festivities September 29 served to inspire and facilitate networking among the stakeholders, including dozens of alternative energy companies, more than anything else. Croce and his 9-member leadership team already moved into the facility last spring. The Micro Power Pavilion is ready, but the NextEnergy Center's 18,400 square foot advanced laboratory space is still being fitted in preparation for its new tenants.
Croce took the opportunity to announce NextEnergy's "Biodiesel Value Change Initiative" bringing various major bio-diesel activities to the center and the surrounding area. The three-part initiative includes a Biodiesel research component involving the WSU College of Engineering, Delphi, Boesch, and the North American Command US Army TACOM.
The second component is a plan to turn brownfields into green fields, which will produce agricultural products for biofuels, Croce said. The final component is a lease agreement with Biodiesel Industries, of Santa Barbara, Calif., which will open research operations at the NextEnergy Center. The company also plans to build a biodiesel production plant "just blocks away", Croce said.
Along with Biodiesel Industries, Croce announced the other founding tenants who will occupy NextEnergy's laboratory space. The list includes nSEC, a spanking new startup led by Esin Gulari, professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, based on Gulari and her colleague/partner's patented techniques to improve properties in polymers and rubber.
The non-profit entity NextEnergy was spawned three years ago by the state, shepherded by former Gov. John Engler, and led by its first director, Steve Arwood. Croce took over as chief executive officer two years ago. In his bridge building with state lawmakers and industry and his emphasis on "energy diversity", Croce has defined NextEnergy's direction, fostering alternative fossil fuels such as biodiesels as well as absolute zero emission, sustainable fuels such as hydrogen, wind and sun.
As part of the festivities, various alternative energy technologies were displayed in the Nextenergy Center parking lot and laboratory space, including the latest generation in wind power equipment, the University of Michigan's solar powered car, Sunraycer, TACOM's power generation unit, a portable hydrogen generator made by REB Research and Consulting, and a Mercedes Benz E-series fuel cell car being outfitted as a Wayne State police patrol car.
Quotes from speakers:
"I'm here to pledge the full support of the (Granholm) Administration and myself toward a mutual goal of making Michigan the center of innovation and a leader in the national effort toward energy independence."
-- David C. Holister, director, Department of Labor and Economic Growth, State of Michigan:
"This one of a kind energy center will be the focal of a world class research and development for the entire range of alternative fuels and power sources. And like a magnifying glass that concentrates light from the sun, this center will focus some of the world's most brilliant minds on innovative ways to solving our energy crises."
-- Anthony Adams, deputy mayor, city of Detroit
"Two days ago, the Secretary (Of Energy) and the President said that we need to conserve energy and use energy more wisely. And this center is certainly one of those key points that are going to make that happen."
-- Peter M. Dreyfuss, director, Midwest Regional Office, US Department of Energy:
"We have built here a beacon for America's energy research. This building for researchers and innovators from around the world will learn what it takes to remove the word 'alternative' from new energy sources and replace it with words like 'effective', 'practical' and 'accepted'."
--George W. Jackson, president/chairman, NextEnergy Board of Directors; president, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
"We love the opportunity to be part of this, and we hope that the army will serve as a good neighbor as well as a partner in putting the best technology in front of our soldiers in their time of need."
-- Dennis J. Wend, executive VP, Technology Transfer, North American Command, US Army TACOM
"We are offering a number of degree program in alternative energy technology. Our students will become the scientists and researchers who advance our nation toward energy independence. Right here at NextEnergy, in the middle of TechTown, great minds are already envisioning grand solutions. What is happening her is no less revolutionizing the alternative energy industry and the economy of our city and our state."
-- Irvin D. Reid, president, Wayne State University
"It is with great excitement that we officially open NextEnergy Center today and power up a new era in alternative energy development and economic growth for Michigan and the nation. NextEnergy seeks to lead the nation in achieving economic security through energy diversity by bringing to commercialization a variety of alternative energy sources that, together, can make drastic reductions in our nation's dependence on fossil fuels, including imported petroleum."
--James A. Croce, chief executive officer, NextEnergy Center
NextEnergy's new tenants:
* The National Biofuels Energy Laboratory, seeded by the US Department of Energy
* Biodiesel Industries, a world leader in biodiesel technology and development
* Alternative Power Supply, a renewable energy systems supplier in the areas of wind and solar power
* Biomass Energy Solutions, a developer of waste-to-energy technologies
* NanoScience Engineering Corporations, an innovator in nanomaterials
* Nextek Power Systems, manufacturer of the Power Gateway, a patented "router for power" for DC networks
* REB Research & Consulting, a developer of hydrogen purifiers and membrane reactors for fuel cell systems
* Select Engineering Services, program management in Department of Defense and other government agencies