Powering Michigan´s energy future

Summary form only given. When renewable energy legislation passed in Michigan in 2008, Detroit Edison was faced with a daunting challenge. Starting from a generating portfolio that had only 1% of sales coming from renewable resources, Detroit Edison must increase that percentage to 10% by 2015. Additionally, Detroit Edison must cause at least 300 MW of renewable energy capacity to be built by the end of 2013, ramping up to 600 MW by the end of 2015. Fortunately, Detroit Edison had already launched efforts to dramatically expand its portfolio of renewable resources. Irene Dimitry is the Director of Renewable Energy for Detroit Edison, the electric utility subsidiary of DTE Energy. Ms. Dimitry will outline the unique renewable energy challenges facing Michigan´s electric utilities and Detroit Edison´s plans to address those challenges and achieve the company´s renewable energy goals. Detroit Edison´s renewable energy plan calls for ~$2 billion in direct capital investments - primarily in wind energy. The company´s plan also includes a distributed generation solar pilot program with an expected capacity of 20 MW. Ms. Dimitry will provide highlights and lessons learned from the company´s experience in siting, designing, constructing, and operating distributed generation photovoltaic systems across SE Michigan.