Last night (Jan 19), the Grand Vision Energy Working Group held the first of five forums on energy goals and strategies developed to implement the Grand Vision.

Roughly fifty people attended the event that focused on the first energy goal: Energy Efficiency, which is to "Maximize energy efficiency and conservation to the greatest extent practical across all sectors of the region to realize a net reduction in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs."

To view a video report from 9&10 News click here.

Jim Cooper from Traverse City Light and Power presented showing many products that can be used in homes and businesses to reduce energy usage. Cooper said that in terms of electric utilities forecasting usage is an important component of energy efficiency. Looking into the future, for 2028, TC Light & Power is forecasted to have 99.3 (MW) peak demand usage if they use no energy efficiency programs. With energy efficiency programs in place Traverse City Light & Power is forecast to have 83.5 (MW) peak demand usage in 2028.

Ric Evans from Paradigm Energy Services was also on hand to talk about home energy audits. What is an energy audit? Evans said it is "essentially a look at your entire home's (or building's) components: framing, insulation, air infiltration/exfiltration, heating and cooling loads, electrical loads, lighting, orientation and occupants habits. Energy efficiency starts with an energy audit. It can lead to 20-40% Return on Investment."

Citing national averages and data, Evans said that it takes one ton of coal to produce 2,460 kWH of electricity. According to federal numbers, that means 4.3 tons of coal are used for an average home per year in the United States. Only 40% of coal's thermal energy is converted to electricity. Once produced, another 20-50% is lost to distribution transmissions and line-loss. This means that the most used power supply in the United States is only roughly 20-30% efficient.

Evans said that after a home energy audit, depending on the circumstances, a home can be made more energy efficient through a variety of means that are cost-effective and relatively cheap. Evans offered a $50 credit to everyone in the audience last night to be used on an energy audit for their home.

Success stories were also presented. Derek Bailey the Chair of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians talked about initiatives taken to improve energy efficiency. One lighting program has resulted in massive savings in energy equal to removing 18 cars off the road for one year. Gene Davis, co-chair of the Green Committee from the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, said that energy efficiency has been a primary focus resulting in the Resort and Spa. A direct result of which has been the Michigan Green Lodging certification for the Resort and Spa. That is a state recognized certification program designed to evaluate a hospitality property's impact on the environment. The resort has been hailed as a leader of the green leaders.

The Grand Vision Energy Working Group asked the public to consider how they can pledge to become more energy efficient especially in light of the products available for both residential and commercial properties and the success stories that were presented last night.

The next forum will be held in February. To receive the details sign up for the Grand Vision e-newsletter (scroll up to the top of this page and enter your email address in the Grand Vision logo) or follow the Grand Vision on Twitter!

Photo: Windmills on the Water by axelivarsson.