ANN ARBOR - A national survey of consumer attitudes towards plug-in electric vehicles suggests that people would prefer control to convenience in many charging scenarios, and also that renewable energy sources are an important component. The survey, released Thursday by researchers Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, includes
LONDON - If leading scientists writing in one of the most respected academic journals are right, planet Earth could be on course for global warming of more than seven degrees Celsius within a lifetime. And that, according to one of the world’s most renowned climatologists, could be “game over.” Scientists have long tried to work
HOUGHTON - Michigan Technological University has received $2.8 million from the US Department of Energy to develop next-generation control systems for light-duty hybrid electric vehicles. Tech is one of three Michigan recipients of a total of $8.5 million in new grants from DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. Nationwide, 10 projects received $32 million in funding
LANSING - State Sen. Mike Nofs, chair of the Senate Energy and Technology Committee, has conceded that in order to get Democrats on board with his energy policy proposal, there will be an increased renewable energy standard of 15 percent by 2021, which would put Michigan ahead of some states in the Midwest but well
AUSTIN, Texas — A mounting perception that climate change is occurring could play a role in deciding the upcoming presidential election, particularly if significant numbers of younger Americans turn out to vote, according to the latest UT Energy Poll. More than 9 out of 10 survey respondents (91 percent) under age 35 say climate change is
LANSING - The Public Service Commission has approved a voluntary renewable energy pilot program for DTE Electric Company allowing program participants to obtain a larger amount of renewable energy than the 10 percent mandated by the state's 2008 energy law. The new program will be limited to an additional 150,000 megawatt-hours of generation from company-owned
LANSING - More intense, heavier rainfall has become prevalent in Michigan in recent years, which pushes out more trash, microorganisms, sewage and other nutrients into Michigan waterways. That adds stress to the state's already aging drains and the Great Lakes. Rainfall is not only heavier, it's faster when it's on the ground, making it difficult
EAST LANSING – Tom Lyons has been named director of the Michigan State University Product Center. He is also a professor in the MSU Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. “The Product Center has played an important role in the food, agriculture and natural resources economy in Michigan,” said Ron Hendrick, dean of the College
ANN ARBOR - In an effort to make safer, longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries for technologies like electric vehicles, smartphones and laptops, a University of Michigan startup has formed a $1.5 million joint venture with two major players in the industry. Ann Arbor-based Elegus Technologies recently announced their new partnership with Michigan-based lithium-ion battery manufacturing companies XALT
DETROIT - DTE Energy announced Thursday it will invest up to $1.5 billion in gas-turbine plants to replace coal-fired plants that the utility plans to retire by 2023. The gas-turbine plants will provide approximately 1,000 megawatts of energy, enough to power 850,000 homes. One project is expected to be located on existing DTE property adjacent to
