(GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN) – The Aquinas College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team has initiated a partnership with Congress Elementary School through the Consumers Energy SmartStreet™ project. SmartStreet™ demonstrates smart energy solutions for the community, and is centered in the East Hills neighborhood with 31 commercial properties and 29 residential accounts participating. Through the use of smart meters, participants have the opportunity to improve their energy efficiency by tracking electrical usage.

The Aquinas College SIFE Smarter Community for Energy team of five students are led by project manager Coby MacMaster and business advisor Ed Morgan of Home Energy Ed. “We’re excited to be part of this project,” said MacMaster. “Our team looks forward to working with Congress Elementary to identify energy-saving solutions and promote environmentally friendly practices.”

Community engagement is a vital part of the SmartStreet™ program. “Consumers Energy is very pleased to welcome the Aquinas College SIFE team to this project. SmartStreet™ previews the ways energy will be delivered and monitored in the future, so the participation and insights of these students is particularly valuable,” said Kristin van Reesema, SmartStreet™ Project Manager.

The Aquinas College SIFE team has been operating on campus for nine years. Currently AQ SIFE has over fifty student members and is working on ten projects to help the community. SIFE is an international non-profit organization that brings together the leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business.