Congress OKs MAREC funding

The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Research Center (MAREC) will receive $250,000 from the federal government to help support alternative energy research and development in downtown Muskegon.

The federal funding was approved by Congress on Nove mber 18. U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, said the money will help MAREC, operated by Grand Valley State University, lead efforts to develop new technology and energy distribution systems to strengthen the nation's power supply.

'This funding will hel p Grand Valley to create a model for how fuel cell technology can be used efficiently as an alternative source of power, which will help efforts to prevent widespread power outages similar to what the U.S. experienced this summer,' Hoekstra said.

Imad Ma hawili, executive director of MAREC, said he was delighted with the appropriation. He said the money will be used for initiatives like researching ways to convert biomass animal waste into methane and developing an education program for alternative energy researchers.

MAREC's initial undertaking is the 'Office Building of the Future,' a 40,000-square-foot research and business incubator facility. It will be completely energy self-sufficient, producing its own electricity, hot water, heating and air conditioning. It will combine alternative energy technology with cogeneration and sales of electricity to a public utility as 'green' power, a non-fossil fuel generation that is environmentally friendly.

Rather than supplying energy through a few centralized power plants that transmit energy through lines —;;; which is believed to be a major reason for the blackouts this summer —;;; in the distributed generation system, power will be generated by fuel cells and other technologies for local use.

'We appreciate Congressman Hoekstra's support of what will be a prototype for alternative energy technology research and development and a venture that will attract new businesses to the region,' GVSU President Mark A. Murray said. 'MAREC is poised to establish Michigan as a leader in the application of alternative energy technologies both throughout Michigan and the nation.'