To begin your engagement with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for renewable & alternative energy projects please fill out our questionnaire.

Alternative Energy in Michigan

In Michigan, green is the new gold. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is leading the charge in the development of new markets for alternative energy in Michigan and beyond. We are aligning scientists, universities, policy makers, industry players, the natural resource management community and our engineering talent around the goal of creating the next generation of power provision for businesses, consumers and vehicles through alternative energy. 

The MEDC is also looking at creative incentive packages custom tailored to create the right environment and bring together the right players to advance the way the world is powered.  

Michigan is focusing on the development of state and nationwide markets for such alternative energy sources as:

• Bioenergy 
• Wind Generation - Wind Energy
• Advanced Energy Storage - Advanced Batteries
• Solar Cells - Solar Energy
• Hydro-Electricity

Whether you are a manufacturer looking to diversify your base of production or a company with a current or potential patent on the next iteration of alternative energy technology, Michigan is ready to give you the Upper Hand.

Take a look below at some of the alternative energy development resources, partners in market development and university research prowess Michigan is offering in its power play. Also, take a look at how the 21st Century Jobs Fund program is building capacity in the Michigan alternative energy market space.    

Alternative Energy Resources & Partners

Michigan has a vast array of alternative energy resources and partners to encourage alternative energy R&D and manufacturing, including the following:

• NextEnergy is a non-profit corporation founded to enable the commercialization of energy technologies that positively contribute to economic competitiveness, energy security and the environment. 
• Alternative Energy companies in Michigan may be eligible for Michigan tax credits. To be eligible, a company must first be certified as "Alternative Energy." See the criteria and information below, available in Adobe .pdf format:
  • Michigan NextEnergy Authority Fact Sheet
  • Alternative Energy Guidebook
• The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) is a fully integrated demonstration facility for distributed generation of electricity using renewable and alternative energy technologies.
• SmartZones^SM and Business Accelerators to stimulate the growth of technology-based businesses and jobs by creating recognized clusters of technology enterprises and research institutions throughout the state.
• The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Command (TARDEC) and its National Automotive Center (NAC) support research on alternative energy technologies for Department of Defense and commercial applications.
• Michigan Green - A consortium of 100 public and private sector members working to make Michigan an alternative energy powerhouse, promoting use of alternative energy technologies such as ethanol, hydrogen, solar, battery, wind and geothermal energy.
• Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) - A non-profit organization that educates, advocates, promotes and publicly demonstrates renewable alternative energy technologies.
• American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) - National trade association representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, service providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers and others involved in the wind industry.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) develops national regulatory programs to reduce mobile sources related air pollution, evaluates emission control technology, tests vehicles, engines, and fuels and determines compliance with federal emissions and fuel economy standards.
• The University Research Corridor is an alliance of Michigan’s three leading research institutions: Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.
• The DTE Energy Hydrogen Technology Park is a hydrogen energy demonstration project designed to provide critical insight into the role of hydrogen in our nation's energy system and is a working prototype that demonstrates the generation of hydrogen to storage, distribution and conversion to energy.
• The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (sbTdc) provides services to assist technology companies, including those in the areas of IP protection, financing, planning and commercialization strategies.

University Centers

In the effort to grow these increasingly important alternative energy fields, the MEDC is certainly not alone. Michigan's top universities are playing a critical role in Michigan’s alternative energy development. Each has created unique opportunities to capitalize on their resources, talents and capabilities to further the advancement of emerging alternative energy technologies. Take a moment to review the incredible initiatives our allies in the academic world are undertaking in the field of Renewable & Alternative energies.

Michigan State University

• Biomass Conversion Research Laboratory (read more) 
• Research in the College of Engineering (read more)
• Center for Plant Products and Technologies (read more) 

University of Michigan

• Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute (MMPEI) (read more)
• Transportation Energy Center (TEC) (read more)
• Automotive Research Center (ARC) (read more)
• Hydrogen Energy Technology Laboratory (HETL) (read more)  

Kettering University

• Center for Fuel Cell Systems and Powertrain Integration (read more)

Lawrence Tech University

• College of Engineering Alternative Energy (read more)

Wayne State University

• Center for Automotive Research (read more) 

Michigan Technological University

• Power and Energy Research Center (read more)
• Sustainable Futures Institute (read more)

• Advanced Power Systems Research Center (read more)

Other Online References

• DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Information for Michigan
• Department of Labor & Economic Development, Energy Office
• Department of Environmental Quality
• Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) for Michigan
• Michigan Ethanol (E85) Fueling Stations
• Michigan Natural Gas Public Fueling Stations
• Michigan Biodiesel Fueling Stations
• Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure
• Michigan Wind Maps