The 2nd annual Michigan Battle of the Buildings Energy Summit celebrated the combined energy reductions of 28.5 million ft2 of Michigan real estate with a decrease in nearly 16,000 metric tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). Converting to laymen’s terms – that’s the same as reducing over 37 million miles driven by an average passenger vehicle.
The 2015 contestants came together on Earth Day, April 22, 2016 the same day that 34 countries representing 49% of Green House Gas Emissions signed the Paris Climate Agreement at the largest single day signing in history.
The local event at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids hosted 3 keynote speakers including Garrick Rochow, VP at Consumers Energy, Roger Curtis, President at Michigan International Speedway and the Honorable Aric Nesbitt, House Committee on Energy Chair. Guests of the full day event enjoyed breakout sessions on Clean Energy Makes Sense, Indoor Air Quality, Financing & Cash Incentives and Lessons Learned by Battle of the Building competitors from Kent County, CBRE, Spectrum Health, Ford Field/Detroit Lions, Odawa Casino, Van Andel Institute and Catalyst-Partners. Other speakers from the Michigan Public Service Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Michigan Saves, Lean & Green Michigan and DTE Energy shared tools, resources and insights on Michigan’s Energy Future.
During breaks, guests visited with exhibitors from Patriot Solar Group; Bratic Enterprises; Consumers Energy; DTE Energy; Energy Focus; Electro-Matic Visual; Grand Rapids Business Journal; Hurst Mechanical; FTC&H architects & engineers; Michigan Saves, Midwest Energy Group, Porous Pave, Ryzen Lighting Group, Solar Winds Power Systems and TowerPinkster architects and engineers who displayed products & services to help the built (and yet to be built) environment learn new ways to to accomplish our world wide goals.
Post conference surveys revealed that attendees rated the networking at the Energy Summit as 5-star and the consistent growth of the competition-nearly triple each year- speaks to the eagerness of building owners & operators to learn new ways to accomplish more while consuming less energy. Every climate zone has its unique challenges and learning from each other can provide a first hand look at inspiring ways our neighbors are meeting these growing demands.
The Energy Summit awarded the top 2 “biggest losers” from 9 categories.
Entertainment Category:
The Meanwhile reduced 20.67%
The Pyramid Scheme reduced 18.07%
Healthcare Category:
Muskegon County HealthWest reduced 4.42%
Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial reduced 1.49%
Manufacturing/Industrial Category:
Nu-Wool Co., Inc. reduced 11.06%
Innotec Life Space Division reduced 10.89%
Mixed Use Category:
Parker Hannifin FSC reduced 6.42%
SMG DeVos Convention Center reduced 6.03%
Multi-Family Category:
Hollander Development Valley View III reduced 8.44%
River House at Bridgewater Place Condominiums reduced 4.17%
Office Building Category:
Comerica Stadium-Pauline Branch reduced 21.27%
Fifth Third Bank reduced 15.27%
Other Category:
Greenleaf Hospitality Group Radisson Plaza Hotel reduced 16.80%
Nichols Corporate Headquarters reduced 10.84%
Public Buildings Category:
Muskegon’s Louis A McMurray Conference & Transportation reduced 10.40%
City of Grand Rapids Water Resource Facility reduced 9.10%
Education Category:
St. Clair County Community College MTEC Building reduced 31.93%
Holland Public High School reduced 10.62%
The Michigan Battle of the Buildings is the only state-wide energy competition in the country and Michigan is being recognized on a national level. The EPA EnergyStar national Battle of the Buildings will cease in 2017 in lieu of encouraging more local competitions and we are thrilled to be leading this conversation.
Change is on the horizon and the reward is better air quality, economic advantage and we all hope – a slowing of the rise in global temperature.
Thank you to all that attended the 2015 Michigan Battle of the Buildings Earth Day Energy Summit. We’ll see you next year!
