October 2023
Member Spotlight
Throughout 2023, SECC will recognize one member every month, providing an organizational profile and highlighting the member's accomplishments in the smart energy space.
About Consumers Energy
Michigan boasts more freshwater shoreline than anywhere else in the nation – on top of the over 11,000 inland lakes, 13,000 miles of scenic trails and 19 million acres of forestland. This type of geographical diversity provides unlimited recreational opportunities for an adventurous lifestyle right in the backyards of many Michiganders.
As Michigan’s largest energy provider for over 135 years, Consumers Energy has a responsibility to protect the beautiful playground that makes Michigan such a great place to live, work and play. They are dedicated to transforming their operations to create a cleaner, brighter energy future for the 6.7 million electric and natural gas customers who count on them across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Becoming a Force of Change for the Next Generation
Consumers Energy’s Clean Energy Plan is focused on increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency to help minimize its footprint and build a better energy future for the next generation of Michiganders – all while delivering world-class performance with hometown service.
They are diligently working toward becoming coal free by 2025 and adding 8,000 megawatts of solar energy to their system, keeping them on path to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and using 90-percent clean energy by 2040.
Their plan leans heavily on emerging technologies such as grid modernization, battery storage and smart tools that will help lower peak customer demand for electricity and reduce energy waste so they can produce the right amount of power Michigan needs.
Partnering with Customers to Create a Smarter Grid
Customers play a key role in helping Consumers Energy operate smarter, cleaner and more efficiently. Through a variety of engagement efforts, they’re on a mission to educate customers – both residential and business – about how tracking energy use, making small changes like installing energy efficient products and participating in demand response programs can help lower bills and move Michigan toward a clean energy future.
Consumers Energy’s portfolio of energy efficiency offerings and energy management programs includes things like:
- Instant rebates on energy efficient products through their Online Store
- Rebates on energy-efficient heating and cooling
- Rebates for upgrading windows and insulation
- Rebates for purchasing ENERGY STAR® appliances
- Earning rewards for joining the Smart Thermostat Program
- Participating in other summer programs that reward customers for using less energy when demand is high
Energy efficiency programs alone have already saved three million megawatt-hours of electricity since 2009 (which equates to about $4 billion) and are projected to save about 9.5 million megawatt hours by 2040.
Paving the Way for Electrification
They are also leading the way for the future of transportation in Michigan. With a goal to power one million electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030, Consumers Energy is in the driver’s seat for the next generation of clean, zero-emission vehicles.
Through the PowerMIDrive program, they’ve provided financial rebates (up to $500 for residential and $7,500 for commercial) for more than 4,000 EV chargers for homes, businesses and public areas that encourage overnight off-peak charging and are helping to create a network of accessible charging stations that powers Michigan residents and visitors to any destination statewide.
And through PowerMIFleet, Consumers Energy offers turnkey solutions for fleet owners and public transit, connecting them with the planning resources, expert guidance and financial assistance or incentives to easily and cost-effectively transition to an electric fleet.
Ensuring Reliable and Affordable Service
Their Clean Energy Plan ensures continued focus on reliable and affordable energy for Michigan. Turning to natural gas as a fuel source to generate baseload power will not only reduce carbon emissions by 63 million tons from 2023-2040, but it will create price stability by saving customers roughly $650 million through 2040. This, along with the increased use of energy management tools, will give customers more control over their energy use and monthly bills. And last but certainly not least, Consumers Energy continues to ensure customers in need have access to payment assistance options and is committed to funding energy bill assistance programs.
