2022 Michigan Energy Summit - Michigan Battle of the Buildings

2021 Biggest Losers

WHEN

June 15, 2022

8th Annual

WHERE

Grand Rapids, MI

CityFlatsHotel

Michigan's Premiere Energy Conference

The 2022 Michigan Energy Summit was a full-day energy conference that brought building owners and operators from all over the state together in a peer-to-peer exchange. This year, it was hosted at the beautiful LEED-certified City Flats Hotel in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, MI. We explored how Michigan businesses are achieving Zero Net Energy (ZNE)/ Zero Net Carbon (ZNC), creating healthy and efficient workspaces, and saving thousands on energy efficiency upgrades and utility bills. The Summit featured an exhibitor hall with local Michigan vendors within the energy/building science industry. We enjoyed coffee and cocktails, and learned from the professionals about the many different services they have to offer business owners.

The Michigan Energy Summit changed things up this year and got active! Attendees were given the choice to take The Rapid bus to John Ball Zoo to see the popular SITES-certified Meerkat habitat and other innovative projects that the zoo has recently completed. Or, took a guided tour around downtown Grand Rapids, to hear and see the city’s rich history of green building and sustainability, and learn what’s to come. Some braved the intense heat, but we also had the option to stay cool and inside! The third breakout session option was a panel discussion on ZNE/ZNC in the Ballroom, with an optional tour of CityFlatsHotel afterwards.

Following the breakout sessions, we returned to the Ballroom to award the 2021 Michigan Battle of the Buildings “Biggest Losers” and welcome the new 2022 competitors. We heard how the winners successfully reduced their energy costs while maintaining occupant comfort & increasing productivity. We explored different approaches by corporations, small businesses, non-profits, governmental & educational institutions, and more.

We ended the day with the Detroit Lions Happy Hour, which featured networking, drinks, games, and a raffle. The whole day was a hit and we cannot wait for next year!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2021 BIGGEST LOSERS!

General Motors,

Flint Truck Assembly

Manufacturing/Industrial Category

(Per Widget)

-32.5%

Detroit Institute of Arts

Education Category

-5.07%

Fifth Third Bank

Financial Institution Category

-29.86%

Beaumont

Farmington Hills

Healthcare Category

-4.41%

Eastern Avenue

Christian Reformed Church

House of Worship Category

-9.31%

Beach Club Detroit

Shelborne Development

Multi-Family Category

-59.63%

State of Michigan

George W Romney Building

-28.4%

Office Category

City of East Jordan

Lagoon Pump House

Other Category

-71.21%

University of Michigan

Institute for Social Research

University Category

-22.44%

Huntington Place

Venue Category

-20.54%

City of Kentwood

Department of Public Works

Warehouse Category

-4.27%

New this Year: Interactive Tours

This year the Energy Summit featured tours for the first time ever instead of the traditional breakout session! Attendees were given the choice between the three sessions below:

John Ball Zoo Tour

We took The Rapid over to John Ball Zoo, a prevalent Grand Rapids staple, and enjoyed a tour of sustainability projects they have accomplished throughout the years. In particular, we heard about the construction of the pygmy hippo habitat. This outstanding structure is in the process of achieving Petal Certification from the International Living Building Institute. Another habitat featured on the tour was the renowned meerkat habitat. This SITES-certified project is the first of its kind in the world. We also heard about all its sustainable and accessible features, and what makes it stand out from other zoo habitats.

Sponsored by John Ball Zoo and The Rapid

Sustainable Grand Rapids Walking Tour

We saw all the sites that downtown Grand Rapids has to offer on this sustainable walking tour! We heard about and saw many of the green buildings in the heart of the city, learned about the sustainability initiatives that Grand Rapids is involved in, and discovered what the future holds for Furniture City, USA.

Net Zero Energy/Carbon Panel Discussion

Carbon solution opportunities are prevalent at every level of the marketplace. Zero Net Energy/Carbon (ZNE/ZNC) buildings are quickly becoming the expectation of new construction, and as market trends steer away from carbon-based fuels in search of a healthy, more efficient built environment, you don’t want to be left behind. In this panel discussion, we heard about ZNE/ZNC market trends, lived experience, and pathways across the country & locally. We answered all of our questions about ZNE/ZNC and discovered resources that will close the gap on capital.

After the panel discussion we had the option to take a 20-minute tour of the LEED-certified CityFlatsHotel.

Watch the full ZNC Panel recording below:

The First Annual Detroit Energy Challenge Awards Breakfast

Attendees joined us for the first annual Detroit Energy Challenge Awards Breakfast where we honored Detroit building owners and managers for reducing energy consumption in their building(s).

We enjoyed a hot breakfast and networking with our members, businesses, and industry professionals. We visited the trade show tables and listened to special guest speakers.

The Detroit Energy Challenge Awards Breakfast and Michigan Energy Summit happened successively this year, allowing us two whole days of Battle of the Buildings and energy reduction celebration!