Ann Arbor's Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU)

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The SEU provides 100% clean, reliable, resilience, locally built, and affordable energy – energy built by the community for the community. 

​​​​What value would an SEU provide? 

An SEU is an innovative municipal utility that focuses almost exclusively on energy generation at the point of energy use. Because of this, the Ann Arbor SEU will be:

• Resilient – Through a diverse mix of energy generation and the use of energy storage, subscribers to the SEU will still have power even when disasters disrupt the traditional energy grid.

• Reliable – Focusing on generating energy at the source of use minimizes the need for distribution systems (e.g., poles and wires), which are currently the most vulnerable part of the existing energy system. This means that SEU generated energy will be more reliable (and resilient) than energy from a traditional utility.

• Clean – The SEU will only generate power from renewable energy sources such as solar and geothermal systems. This means that every electron provided by the SEU will be from a clean energy source – one generated in our own community.

• Local – The SEU is all about generating energy locally – in our community, on our roofs, in shared spaces, and under our feet. You can't get more local than that!

• Supplemental – The SEU does not replace the DTE grid. Instead, it supplements it, ensuring that residents have more options in how they get their energy.

• Optional – Residents have a choice to participate (or not) in the SEU. No one will be required to take service from the SEU but everyone will have the choice to participate in at least some of the SEU's offerings. By providing choices, we are diversifying our energy options and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of clean, healthy energy systems.

• Affordable – The proposed SEU provides access to clean energy at rates cheaper than what we currently pay for dirty electricity and offers energy storage solutions for less than the average cost of a whole-house generator, helping to make clean energy options affordable to more residents.

• Community-Owned – The SEU is a municipal utility and, as such, will be a community-owned asset. ​

The SEU will provide solar and battery storage, energy waste reduction (efficiency and weatherization) programs, and beneficial electrification support for individual households and businesses. Over time, these offerings will grow to include shared energy solutions for multiple neighbors (e.g., microgrids) as well as networked geothermal for sustainable heating and cooling. 

What are the next steps for the proposed SEU? 

The SEU will be supplemental and optional, meaning that it will not replace the pre-existing grid and will be paid for only by those who opt-in to SEU services. The SEU will also enhance reliability through a diverse mix of local renewable energy generation and the use of energy storage, meaning subscribers to the SEU will still have power even when disasters disrupt the traditional energy grid.

While residents may not see much regarding the deployment of SEU clean-energy assets for 18-24 months, the City of Ann Arbor is currently registering interest in the SEU and will have multiple outreach and engagement events over the coming months. Residents who are interested in enrolling in the SEU or being the first to hear about informational sessions, public engagement opportunities, or SEU-related updates, are encouraged to join the waitlist and monitor this page.​