MI Energy Summit 2026

Efficiency Powering Progress

The 2026 Michigan Energy Summit was hosted at the Lansing Center on May 14, 2026. Formerly in Grand Rapids, this full-day conference highlighted the Michigan Battle of the Buildings 2025 'Biggest Losers' for their outstanding energy conservation efforts at a more central location to increase accessibility for our state-wide guests. Attendees experienced a comprehensive program, including a keynote speaker, main-room sessions, breakout sessions, a full exhibitor hall, and concluded with a happy hour sponsored by the Detroit Lions!

Congratulations to the

2025 'Biggest Losers!'

City of Detroit

Municipal Parking Department

Mixed Use & Other Category

-15%

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Michigan State University

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Healthcare & Science Category

-22%

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Western Michigan University

Spindler Hall

Lodging & Multifamily Category

-11%

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Meijer

163A - Fort Gratiot

Retail & Services Category

-5%

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City of Royal Oak

Royal Oak Historical Society and Museum

Assembly & Gathering Spaces Category

-22%

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The Greening of Detroit

Office Category

-26%

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University of Michigan

Taubman A. Alfred Health Sciences Library

Education Category

-23%

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MES Pre-Party Hosted by

the Lansing 2030 District

The Lansing 2030 District hosted this pre-event reception to help us kick off the 2026 Michigan Energy Summit! The pre-party was held at the Lansing Shuffle on May 13th. Guests enjoyed snacks, drinks, networking, and shuffle board!

Session Presentations & Resources

Fireside Chat Keynote Address AM Breakout Sessions PM Breakout Sessions Data Centers 101 (Closing Session) Awards Ceremony

Fireside Chat

Title: Fireside Chat

Description:

Join us for an engaging conversation exploring the evolving landscape of energy management. This fireside chat brings together key voices from leading utilities to discuss the successes of energy efficiency and what’s next.

Panelists:

Thomas Quasarano - Senior Product Manager, Consumers Energy
Jeremy M Cappello - Principal Marketing Specialist, DTE
Jennifer Binkley-Power - Manager, Energy Planning & Decarbonization, Lansing Board of Water and Light

Moderator: Cheri Holman - Executive Director, MiGBC

Keynote Address

Keynote Address

Vincent-Martinez_Head-Shot-scaled

Vincent Martinez, Hon. AIA, EIT
CEO, Architecture 2030

AM Breakout Sessions

AM Session A | Decode Your Energy Bill: Rates, Rebates, & Hidden Savings

Learn how to unlock rebates and reduce your energy bill to boost your bottom line.

This session breaks down the charges on your bill that are most often misunderstood, including demand costs and the Energy Waste Reduction line item, and shows you how a rate analysis can confirm whether you're even on the right rate. You'll also learn how to identify and claim utility rebates you may already be eligible for. Leave with practical steps to cut costs and put money back into your budget.

Panelists:

John Nametz - Senior Engineering Engineer, Franklin Energy (DTE)
Conor McGrail - Senior Engineering Manager, CLEAResult (Consumers Energy)

Moderator: Eric DeVries - President, E3M Solutions

Presentation PDF available here.

AM Session B | Saving Energy, Building Careers: MSU's Training and Assessment Programs

Energy efficiency is one of the most impactful, and often overlooked, opportunities for small manufacturers and commercial buildings, yet many facilities don't know where to start. MSU’s ITAC and MI-BTAC programs are changing that by combining no-cost energy assessments with real-world workforce training. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and in collaboration with Henry Ford College and Michigan Tech, these programs improve energy efficiency and sustainability across Michigan while providing high school and community college students with hands-on training in energy efficiency, weatherization, building retrofits, and energy auditing. These skills are then applied through no-cost assessments for industrial and commercial buildings.

Panelists:

Kristen Cetin - Director, MSU Industrial Training and Assessment Center
Sean Huberty - Teaching Specialist, Construction Management, Lansing Community College
Nicole Millsap - CTE Director, Lansing Tech
Tom Muehlenbeck - Weatherization Coordinator/Instructor Trainee, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
September Ward - Admissions Training Specialist/Registrar, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
Nicole Johnson - Student, Michigan State University
Nick Fay - Student, Lansing Community College

Presentation PDF available here.

Resources:

AM Session C | Benchmarking & Risk Management

This session is designed for both newcomers and experienced practitioners looking to deepen their benchmarking practice. Panelists will walk attendees through how to take benchmarking beyond the basics, including strategies for benchmarking unique or hard-to-measure buildings, how to interpret and act on benchmarking outputs, and how to leverage tools like the Zero Tool to set and track clean energy goals.

Panelists:

Vincent Martinez - CEO, Architecture 2030
Andrew Queenan - Senior Project Architect and Sustainable Design Lead, TowerPinkster

Presentation PDF available here.

PM Breakout Sessions

PM Session A | Funding the Work: Grants, Incentives, and Financing for Energy Projects

This session brings together funding and financing experts to help attendees navigate the landscape of available resources for energy efficiency projects. Panelists will highlight federal, state, and private options, from elective pay opportunities to state-backed financing programs, giving participants the knowledge they need to move projects from planning to implementation.

Key Takeaways:

Learn how Elective Pay (direct pay) can make federal tax credits accessible to nonprofits, municipalities, and other tax-exempt entities
Explore Michigan EGLE's funding opportunities and the MI Healthy Climate Challenges
Discover low-interest financing options available through MI Saves for energy efficiency upgrades
Understand how to layer multiple funding sources to maximize project impact

Panelist:

Wendy Berg - Elective Pay Program Ambassador - Region 4, Event & Membership Manager, Michigan Green Building Collaborative
Jake Wilkinson - Energy Unit Manager, EGLE
Todd O'Grady - Vice President, Michigan Saves

Presentation PDF available here.

PM Session B | Lessons from the Leaders: Battle of the Buildings Winners

Go behind the scenes with our Michigan Battle of the Building winners! Hear from the leaders who crushed their energy-saving goals and learn from their strategies, challenges, and successes. Get inspired, and walk away with actionable insights to drive sustainability in your own projects.

Panelists:

Devan Dodge-Frye - Sustainability Manager, The City of Royal Oak
Rick Samson - Facility Engineer, Michigan State University
Jason Flanigan - Manager Energy and Engineering, Meijer

Moderator: Kendal Kuneman, Detroit 2030 District

Presentation PDF available here.

PM Session C | Walking Tour: Geothermal at the Capitol

Embark on a unique journey through downtown Lansing and discover the power of geothermal energy! Join us for a walk to the Capitol to learn about sustainable energy, innovative infrastructure, and the State’s green initiatives.

Walking Tour Meet at MiGBC Registration Table.

Data Centers 101 (Closing Session)

Data Centers 101 (Closing Session)

Data centers are rapidly expanding to support the digital economy, creating both economic opportunities and energy challenges for communities. This session will provide a high-level overview of data centers, their energy demands, and their impacts on electric rates, grid capacity, and local planning. It will also explore the role of state policy, utility regulation, and local strategies to ensure growth aligns with community priorities and quality of life. Speakers will share insights that help demystify data centers and guide communities through this evolving landscape.

Panelist:

Sarah Banas Mills - Director of Graham's Center for EmPowering Communities, University of Michigan
Douglas Jester - Managing Partner, 5 Lakes Energy
Mike Auerbach - Planner, Carlisle/Wortman Associates

Moderator: Liesl Clark - Director, Climate Action Engagement | University of Michigan, School for Environment and Sustainability

Resources:

What Michigan Local Governments Should Know About Data Centers

Awards Ceremony

Keynote Speaker

Vincent Martinez

Hon. AIA, EIT

CEO, Architecture 2030

Through his 19-year tenure at Architecture 2030, Vincent Martinez has been working to solve the climate crisis by catalyzing built environment decarbonization efforts through the development and activation of robust networks focused on private sector commitments, education, training, and public policies. Vincent has facilitated the collective impact of a large spectrum of industry partners and organizations to create local, regional, national and international initiatives and programs.

Vincent previous acted as the 2030 Districts Network Interim Director from 2013 to 2016, helping co-found the 2030 Districts model that has now been adopted by 22 North American cities and a founding member of the 2030 Districts Network Board of Governors. Vincent also formerly managed the development and dissemination of the AIA+2030 Professional Education Series, which provided design professionals in 27 markets across North America with strategies for reaching zero net carbon building operations and has since been developed into an AIA online education series. Through his work with the Zero Cities Project, a collaboration with national partners and 11 leading US cities, he led the development of Achieving Zero, a framework of incremental actions that cities and governments can put in place to ensure carbon neutral built environments by 2040. Vincent has most recently been leading Architecture 2030’s delegations at international climate convenings, including the UN Climate Conference COP28 in December 2023 and the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in 2024 hosted by the UN Environment Program and the Government of France.

Vincent is an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and was the 2018 chair of the AIA Energy Leadership Group, a former member of the AIA Sustainability Leadership Group, and was the 2022 chair of the AIA Committee on Climate Action and Design Excellence. He was named an Emerging Leader by the Design Futures Council in 2015 and one of Building Design+Construction‘s 40 Under 40 class of 2022. Vincent is also a former member of the World Economic Forum’s G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance Sustainability Task Force and the Forum’s Urban Infrastructure Task Force, and recently served on the American Society of Landscape Architect’s Climate & Biodiversity Action Plan Advisory Group.

Why Attendees Love the Michigan Energy Summit

The Michigan Energy Summit is a place where ideas turn into action and connections turn into lasting impact!

Inspiring Energy & Engagement

From building owners to sustainability professionals, everyone is united by a shared passion for improving the built environment.

"The Michigan Energy Summit is hands-down my favorite event of the year. There is nothing quite like being in a room full of people who are just as passionate about the nuances of energy efficiency as I am—it’s the perfect environment to nerd out over new innovations and share a collective vision for a more sustainable future."

Kelsey Groesbeck, Director of Building Science, TowerPinkster

Meaningful Networking Opportunities

Whether you’re connecting with peers, industry leaders, or exhibitors, the Summit creates space for real conversations. It’s easy to build relationships that extend far beyond the event.

“We always look forward to being part of the Michigan Energy Summit with the Michigan Green Building Collaborative. It’s more than just an event—it’s a chance to connect with partners, exchange ideas, and work together toward smarter, more sustainable solutions for the built environment.”

Mark Miereson, VP of Business Development at Hedrick Associates

Real-World Success Stories

One of the most anticipated moments each year is hearing from our “Biggest Losers,” the organizations that are awarded for their significant energy reductions. Their honest, practical insights provide inspiration and actionable takeaways.

"After attending the Michigan Energy Summit and learning about available rebates for completed work, the Charles H. Wright Museum secured over $70,000 in rebates through DTE Energy."

Leslie Tom - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

The Perfect Balance

With a thoughtful mix of educational sessions and networking opportunities, attendees walk away informed, inspired, and connected.

"The Detroit Lions are committed to sustainability, and we believe the Michigan Energy Summit is a great opportunity to expand on that commitment."

Fred Reddig, LEED AP O+M, Detroit Lions

An Approachable, Welcoming Atmosphere

Unlike larger, overwhelming conferences, the Michigan Energy Summit is intentionally designed to be accessible and laid-back. You’ll have the chance to engage with speakers, meet new people, and truly be part of the conversation.

Exhibit at the

Energy Summit

By sponsoring or exhibiting at the Michigan Energy Summit, you unlock access to hundreds of professionals in the energy sector and support ongoing innovation in Michigan. As a sponsor/exhibitor, you will be acknowledged as a leader in the energy sector, be immersed in the latest industry trends, and network with fellow peers.

More information about sponsoring and exhibiting at the Michigan Energy Summit will be coming soon.

Learn More

compete in the michigan battle of the buildings

The Michigan Battle of the Buildings is an awards and recognition program for energy use reduction open to all Michigan area commercial, industrial & multi-family buildings. The program is a way to encourage energy-efficient practices in buildings across the state and to instill a spirit of friendly competition among the area’s building owners and operators. There is no cost to enter the competition. To enroll for the competition and learn more about the process, follow the link below.

Enroll