Energy Works Michigan plans energy-efficiency for all 5,500 state schools

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

When it comes to making a building energy efficient, a school may just be perfect.

Schools are often built in an open space, with a flat roof and can save some money by saving or generating energy. Students can learn about the how and why of energy efficiency in their science classes. And they then grow up alongside technology such as solar panels, and knowing how they work.

That's the idea behind Energy Works Michigan, a nonprofit launched by Recycle Ann Arbor and The Ecology Center as partner non-profits about a year and a half ago. Through a $3.5 million grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission, Energy Works Michigan administers the Michigan Renewable Schools program, which funds energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in Michigan schools.

Emile Lauzzana, director of Energy Works Michigan, based in Ann Arbor, has been with the program since before it started, writing the founding grant a year and a half ago, and watching it grow to seven employees -- two educational specialists, and the others with architectural backgrounds. He explains that when they partner with a school, the first order of business is an assessment of its energy profile to get a feel for the building's energy efficiency. They then provide the planning and followup meetings and steer them toward any programs that would benefit the school.

If the school participates in a renewable energy program, Energy Works Michigan can provide financial incentives for installing solar or wind projects, all which come with a weather station and the means to stream data to a public website, for access by students -- to use in the classroom -- or the public. "We're happy with the educational tool that provides," he says. "We're starting to already see a lot of our partner schools using this data in the classroom."

The energy efficiency program is free to schools, but the renewable energy program does require a contribution, he says. They've seen successes so far through partnerships, benefactors, and fundraisers that schools are able to come up with the money needed.

And they do offer lesson plans for elementary students, so students of all ages can benefit from learning about energy efficiency at their own school. "The lesson plans are hands-on, inquiry-based, and come with lab equipment," he says.

Lauzzana says his ultimate goal is for each of the 5,500 Michigan schools to achieve energy efficiency within the next few years. They've been able to spread the word through other nonprofit organizations and school business officials, and have able to help 60 schools in less than eight months, with a waiting list of about 25 more. "We're seeing a lot of demand and a lot of enthusiasm for these projects," he says.

Before they continue the program, they want to evaluate where it stands now and see how they can improve.

"For our team, this is really a dream project," he says. "We've been involved, all of us, in environmental issues and energy issues our entire careers. The school partners are great to work with."

Another way they're getting students involved is through their ShowGreen TV project, challenging students to make short films about climate change. Their second contest wraps up next week, and a free screening is scheduled for next month in Ann Arbor. Click here for details.

Source: Emile Lauzzana, director of Energy Works Michigan
Writer: Kristin Lukowski