[1] In 1974 Michaelis opened a consultancy to design solar buildings, one of which received the first joint RIBA, RICS and CIBSE award.

In 1972, Michaelis built a 240 panel, 22 meter diameter solar balloon using polyester film and aluminum honeycomb basket.

[3] Julian Nott used Dominic Michaelis's solar balloon (aircraft registration number G-BAVU) to cross the English channel.

On 22 August 1981, lifting off North West of Dover, he silently crossed the channel, landing at Tournehem-sur-la-Hem of the Pas-de-Calais in France.

In 1990 Michaelis developed a low cost geodesic geometry solar cooker, which cooks at over two hundred degrees Celsius.

In 2002 he patented the 'Energy Island' concept following a Call for Ideas by the International OTEC Association, a proposal for an offshore platform that would employ various techniques to generate renewable energy.

[8] Michaelis also holds patents which dispense OTEC from the cold water pipe concept, removing many environmental and economic concerns.