Events

Dr. Keoleian will address how a transformation of the energy system, both in terms of supply and demand, is required to create a more sustainable energy and economic future. Michigan’s fuel mix is carbon intensive and the State imports $26 billion in energy resources each year.

Attendees will participate in discussions around strategies for curbing household energy demand, including mobility, residential buildings, appliances and food, as well as the challenges and opportunities for implementing renewable energy technologies in the State, such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal. The discussion is expected to be interactive and attendees are encouraged to come with questions. A set of two dozen Sustainability Factsheets published by the University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems will also be distributed.

Marc Burkholder, President of the University of Michigan Club of Grand Traverse states, “Dr. Keoleian’s presentation is timely for Northern Michigan given the recent discussions about local energy production and the implication that has on preserving our region’s natural environmental attributes.”

The event is being sponsored by the University Of Michigan Club of Grand Traverse and will take place on Thursday, August 19th starting at 7:00 pm in the Oleson Center on Northwestern Michigan College’s main campus. The presentation is free of charge and all are welcome.

For more information, go to http://grandtraverse.umclubs.com/

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Dr. Greg Keoleian is a Professor in the School of Natural Resources and Environment and in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and serves as co-director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the development and application of life cycle models and sustainability metrics to guide the design and improvement of products and technology. He has studied automobiles, renewable energy, buildings and infrastructure, consumer products and packaging and food systems and has led over 50 life cycle projects in collaboration with the public and private sector including GM, Ford, Steelcase, 3M, Dow, Alcoa, International Iron and Steel Institute, MDEQ, US EPA, NREL, USDA, and NIST. He recently helped launch the Engineering Sustainable Systems dual masters’ degree program between the College of Engineering and the School of Natural Resources and Environment. Dr. Keoleian currently serves as President-Elect of the International Society for Industrial Ecology.

The University of Michigan Club of Grand Traverse is an organization of University of Michigan alumni, parents, students, friends and fans living in the northwest Michigan's Grand Traverse region. The club hosts a variety of events throughout the year and invites anyone interested to join and participate.