(Photo: Wind power purchased through DTE Energy will equal 100% of GM’s electricity needs for their global technical center in Warren, pictured. Credit: General Motors)[/caption]
General Motors has made its largest renewable energy purchase in Michigan to date, buying 300,000 megawatt hours of wind energy through DTE Energy. The automaker says that this deal means reaching 1.71 terawatt hours of renewable energy in North America — more than any other automaker in the region.
The wind power purchased through DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program will equal 100% of GM’s electricity needs for their global technical center in Warren as well as a substantial portion of their Detroit-based world headquarters at the Renaissance Center.
DTE received approval last month from the Michigan Public Service Commission to offer a MIGreenPower program for major corporations and industrial companies in the state that want access to more renewable energy to meet their corporate sustainability goals. Ford recently became the first automaker to take advantage of the new special rate structure.
The MIGreenPower procurement deal offers several main advantages for General Motors. Rob Threlkeld, global manager of sustainable energy and supply reliability for the automaker, told Energy Manager Today that since the rate/tariff is standard, the terms are shorter, the rates are known, and the process to review procuring this energy follows GM’s standard utility offering.
“Shorter terms are a big win for companies procuring renewable energy via a green tariff from a utility, thus reducing risk and exposure for the buyer and avoiding letters or credit,” he said. “This partnership is a key step toward eventually achieving our goal to power all our operations in Michigan with 100% clean energy, and demonstrates the importance of local and regional industry partnerships to achieving our zero emissions vision.”
This deal follows several other renewable energy milestones for GM. This includes the opening of the 148-MW Cactus Flats wind farm in Texas, which helps GM’s Arlington Assembly, and Enel Green Power’s HillTopper wind farm that provides 100 MW to GM’s manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Indiana.
In addition, GM is a member of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA) and an early RE100 signatory. Having the partnership with DTE means the automaker can share what they learn with the RE100 community, which now has 165 member companies, Threlkeld said. “As we continue to collaborate with industry experts and partners on renewable energy projects, we’re helping to grow the market and scale impact, moving us closer to a low-carbon economy.”
Wind power and even solar have big opportunities for growth in Michigan, Threlkeld says. “With the increases in turbine size and hub heights, wind is becoming more viable in locations that have a lower wind profile,” he noted. “Solar output is very strong during morning peak periods, and semiconductors that produce electricity in solar PV panels are significantly more efficient when they are cooled by low temperatures and high wind speeds.”
Threlkeld added that partners like DTE are building on this momentum, with new wind farms to be built and come online in the future.
The 4th Annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference takes place May 13 – 15, 2019 in Denver. Learn more here.
