Michigan’s Renewables: Transforming the Grid for 100% Clean Energy

Michigan wants to use only clean energy by 2040, but there's a catch: the current infrastructure is set up for baseline electricity providedPhoto byAndrewshots/ Shutterstock

In Michigan's quest for 100% clean energy by 2040, the state faces a grid designed for traditional, consistent fossil fuel energy and is struggling to accommodate intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. Currently, renewables contribute 12% to Michigan's electricity net generation, with wind making up two-thirds of that capacity.

To achieve this ambitious goal, Michigan aims to transition from coal-powered plants to renewable energy sources. However, the state's grid, built for consistent power supply from nuclear, natural gas, and coal, poses challenges for intermittently produced energy. The state's plan involves importing power from neighbouring states like Iowa and Kansas when wind or solar energy falls short, ensuring a continuous power supply.

Christine Williams, from ITC Holdings Corp., highlights the necessity of supplementing intermittent energy sources by importing power to maintain a consistent supply, especially during periods when wind or solar energy isn't optimal. ITC plans to lay nearly 100 miles of new transmission lines to reinforce the grid, ensuring uninterrupted power flow, though the regulatory and approval processes might delay these initiatives despite quick construction timelines.

These transmission lines will link Michigan to Indiana and the Midwest, aiding grid reliability, resilience against extreme weather, and improving access to cheaper renewable energy sources. Michigan's push for 100% clean energy by 2040 involves a concerted effort to transition from traditional energy sources to renewables while enhancing the grid's capability to manage intermittent energy sources effectively.