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100 Exhibitors To Appear At DTE Energy- Engineering Society of Detroit Energy Conference

SOUTHFIELD -- Hundreds of energy experts and contractors are expected to gather May 6 for the 17th annual DTE Energy - Engineering Society of Detroit Energy Conference and Exhibition.

The event begins with breakfast and networking at 7:30 a.m. An exhibit hall featuring more than 100 exhibitors opens at 8 a.m., and educational programs, keynotes and panel discussions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The venue is the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi.

The event will focus on energy efficiency and the latest in energy technologies for building owners and managers in the private and public sectors, as well as owners of small businesses and institutions.

Four tracks of informative half-hour presentations will be offered -- education, industrial, commercial and finance:

The education track features presentations on the latest initiatives from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); full energy optimization; and retrofitting older buildings for energy efficiency.

The industrial track will feature sessions on energy management; different types of energy loads in different types of buildings; energy saving strategies from the Ann Arbor Municipal Water Department; secrets of a successful HVAC optimization project at Chrysler; GM energy and water use reduction projects; and combined heat and power projects for industrial plants.

The commercial track includes information on biogas conversion to liquid fuels; electrical services for efficient buildings; window film glass coverings; and "retro-recommissioning" systems in older buildings.

The finance track will include programs on financing energy efficiency projects for small companies and institutions; using a Michigan program called Property Accessed Clean Energy districts to finance commercial and industrial projects; energy efficiency financing tools in the public sector; and financing energy efficiency projects in multi-family buildings.

Also a key event at the conference is the presentation of the DTE Energy E-Challenge Awards. The E-Challenge Competition is designed to showcase energy efficiency innovation through market-ready projects. This year's competition required demonstrations to showcase advanced lighting technology.

Two Farmington Hills-based companies, Lumecon and Illuminating Concepts, were selected as finalists. During the last several months, the companies have been conducting demonstrations of their innovative technologies. Based on the performance of those demonstrations in real-world lighting environments, one or both of the companies will be selected a winner and announced at the conference.

Also at the event, General Motors will offer a fleet of vehicles for attendees in a ride and drive. Included will be the range-extended electric Chevrolet Volt and classics like the Chevrolet Camaro. Other Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet models will be available to drive.

And DTE Energy will also present Energy Efficiency Awards in four categories -- education, impact, innovation and leadership. These awards recognize companies that have made the most effective contribution toward energy efficiency.

The keynote speaker at the event is Commissioner Sally A. Talberg, a member of the Michigan Public Service Commission, on the topic "Eliminating Energy Waste: A No Regrets Strategy for Michigan."

The cost to attend the event is $85 for Engineering Society of Detroit members and $100 for non-members. Non-members can join ESD for a year, a membership that includes a one-year subscription to Crain's Detroit Business, for $159. (This offer is available to first-time members only.) There is also a student rate of $35.

Exhibitor opportunities are still available. For more information on exhibiting at the event, contact Tim Walker at twalker@esd.org or (248) 353-0735, ext. 115. To register as an attendee, visit http://ww2.esd.org/EVENTS/2014/2014-EnergyConf.htm or call (248) 353-0735.

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