The goal of this NSF Smart and Connected Communities (SCC) project is to explore the efficacy of new social-technological paradigms to reduce residential energy insecurity for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households in three neighborhoods in Detroit, Michigan, which is one of the top ten highest energy burdened metros in the US, where LMI households spend 15 – 30% of their income on energy costs (6% or less is considered affordable). This research fully integrates community perspectives in the design, application and testing of emerging smart technologies, individualized residential energy management approaches, and energy rate structure reform to realize cost savings, improved energy efficiency and conservation, and enhanced health equity. 

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Energy equity depends on data, and experts say there isn’t enough of it

Energy testbed Pecan Street is expanding its residential network into Detroit to gather more insights from communities of color regarding the clean energy transition. Residential electricity testbed Pecan Street has partnered with the University of Michigan and the Urban Energy Justice Lab (UEJL) to expand its network into Detroit, as part of an effort to gather data from a more diverse group of customers. More.

U-M, community partners tackle energy insecurity in three Detroit neighborhoods

A new University of Michigan-led project, in partnership with four Detroit community-based organizations, will try to lighten that load a bit. Team members will work with residents of 200 low- and moderate-income (LMI) households in three Detroit neighborhoods—Jefferson Chalmers, Southwest Detroit and The Villages at Parkside—to improve home energy efficiency and to lower monthly utility bills. More.

U-M, community partners tackle energy insecurity in three Detroit neighborhoods

The project is funded by a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Smart and Connected Communities program, with 30% of the funding going to U-M’s community partners in Detroit: Jefferson East Inc., Friends of Parkside, Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, and Ecoworks. DTE Energy is also a partner. More.