Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
Encyclopedia
The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) is a facility located in Muskegon, Michigan
that promotes research, education and business development in alternative
and renewable energy
technologies.
faculty and Muskegon business people proposed a research and development facility focused on alternative energy. Subsequent partnerships between the business, community, and the private sector resulted in groundbreaking for the center in late 2002, and its completion in 2003.
The building was also constructed using many alternative and renewable building materials including flooring surfaces produced from fast-growing bamboo and recycled tires, and rigid wall surfaces made from pressed wheat. These materials were used to conserve and recycle valuable natural resources.
. The Muskegon Lakeshore SmartZone is intended to promote and attract high technology business development in Muskegon and the region.
MAREC has 4000 square feet (371.6 m²) of space devoted to incubating businesses that will research and develop alternative energy sources and uses. The focus on alternative energy is expected to be a catalyst for economic development and job growth in the area. Research and development initiatives will also fuel business expansion at Edison Landing, the 32 acres (129,499.5 m²) SmartZone being transformed into a multi-use office, retail, and residential center. Overall SmartZone development is expected to complement the array of human, physical, and capital investments made at MAREC.
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County...
that promotes research, education and business development in alternative
Alternative energy
Alternative energy is an umbrella term that refers to any source of usable energy intended to replace fuel sources without the undesired consequences of the replaced fuels....
and renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
technologies.
History and development
Development and planning for the center began in 1999 when a group of Grand Valley State UniversityGrand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
faculty and Muskegon business people proposed a research and development facility focused on alternative energy. Subsequent partnerships between the business, community, and the private sector resulted in groundbreaking for the center in late 2002, and its completion in 2003.
The building
The 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) facility is powered, in part, by a fuel cell and a micro turbine, which turn natural gas into electricity. In addition, the building's photovoltaic solar roof tiles harness the solar power generated by the sun to create useful energy. MAREC then uses a nickel metal hydride battery system to store some of the energy produced by these sources for use during peak energy consumption periods.The building was also constructed using many alternative and renewable building materials including flooring surfaces produced from fast-growing bamboo and recycled tires, and rigid wall surfaces made from pressed wheat. These materials were used to conserve and recycle valuable natural resources.
Economic development
MAREC is part of the Muskegon Lakeshore SmartZone, a joint venture with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the city of Muskegon, and Grand Valley State UniversityGrand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
. The Muskegon Lakeshore SmartZone is intended to promote and attract high technology business development in Muskegon and the region.
MAREC has 4000 square feet (371.6 m²) of space devoted to incubating businesses that will research and develop alternative energy sources and uses. The focus on alternative energy is expected to be a catalyst for economic development and job growth in the area. Research and development initiatives will also fuel business expansion at Edison Landing, the 32 acres (129,499.5 m²) SmartZone being transformed into a multi-use office, retail, and residential center. Overall SmartZone development is expected to complement the array of human, physical, and capital investments made at MAREC.