Clean Energy Coalition is becoming a go-to source for renewable energy fueling infrastructure and the acquisition of alternative propulsion technology vehicles.

The Ypsilanti-based nonprofit now has the financial backing to help various partners throughout Michigan accelerate their "green" ambitions. In August, the organization landed a $15 million federal grant - economic stimulus funding that transforms CEC into a state leader in renewable energy consulting.

CEC, formed just three years ago as an outgrowth of the Ann Arbor Clean Cities Coalition, is using the grant to help municipalities, companies and transportation authorities acquire 271 alternative fuel vehicles and fund the installation of 19 new clean fueling stations.

Partners on the project include the University of Michigan, the city of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority. The grant pays for the difference in cost between a traditional vehicle and an alternative powertrain vehicle.

"What we're trying to do is transform the Michigan market for these vehicles," said Sean Reed, CEC executive director. "We're going to be working with the leading fleets across the state to try to get them to put the equipment and infrastructure in and try to play up as much as possible what they're doing."

The Clean Energy Coalition on Friday won the "Technology" award at AnnArbor.com Business Review's fifth annual "Deals of the Year" ceremony.

“This is a project in line with the reach and scope of what we’re doing, but it definitely makes us a bigger player across the state,” Reed said earlier this year.

CEC, which recently quadrupled its office space in downtown Ypsilanti, is helping its partners purchase a wide range of alternative propulsion vehicles, including hybrid buses and compressed natural gas vehicles.

“It shows people outside the state we’re serious about alternative-fuel vehicles and we’re looking at a variety of different opportunities to promote them in Michigan,” said Amy Butler, director of the Bureau of Energy Systems for the state of Michigan. “Transportation is a key part of our transition in the alternative energy field, so anytime that we’re able to bring additional recovery funds into the state is good news.”

Besides helping to purchase vehicles, the grant also enables CEC to fund 10 new compressed natural gas stations run by DTE Energy and an undetermined number of battery-charging stations.

Clean energy fueling infrastructure is critical to the future success of alternative propulsion vehicles. CEC’s strategy is to help its partners apply for grants and incentives to enhance the clean fueling network throughout the state.

Another key piece of CEC’s strategy is to pursue an educational campaign after helping its partners buy new vehicles and install clean fueling infrastructure.

Reed said CEC hopes to show the public why such technologies are an important investment.

“It’s a great thing if people are starting to do these types of things, but in order to move the market we need to make sure other people are aware of it and they understand they should be doing it and how they can do it,” Reed said.

Contact AnnArbor.com’s Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com.

Technology Sector Nominees: TechArb: The University of Michigan collaborated with McKinley Inc. and RPM Ventures to create a free business incubator for student entrepreneurs. The incubator was a launching pad for startup student companies like CrowdClarity and Mobil33t. Now, because the first TechArb was so successful, the university is establishing a permanent version of the business incubator to be located next to Google and Ann Arbor SPARK in the McKinley Towne Centre. GDI Infotech: The longtime Ann Arbor IT consulting firm acquired rapidly growing Soft-Link International in a deal that allows GDI to expand into new markets. GDI founder Bhushan Kulkarni and Soft-Link founder Madhuri Deshpande joined forces to help clients eliminate inefficiences in software and data technologies. GDI is also adding 30 to 50 employees this year to support its growth.