Lots of controversy on a proposed wind farm in Lake Michigan about
1-2 miles off the West Michigan shore. Wind Farms are up and
contributing to the grid in Texas, Iowa, California, Washington, and
Minnesota, which are the top 5 wind power states. Wind power
grew by 39% in capacity over 2008, for a total of 35 gigawatts,
according to the American Wind Energy Association.
A proposed offshore Wind Farm that would cost $3 Billion dollars is
trying to get public support for its plan. The Scandia Wind Energy
LLC say it would create thousands of jobs, primarily constructing the
massive wind turbines in the waters of Lake Michigan just south of
Ludington. The company says that location is positioned to transmit
electricity to Chicago or Detroit areas perfectly.
A new jet engine wind turbine with 4 times the efficiency has interested
the DOE enough to give $ 8 Million in grants for further testing. The theory
is that it would take less electricity to power the turbines, so output would
be doubled. This could be the look of the future, with massive wind
turbines scattered over the countryside and in our Great Lakes.
Would these huge turbines intefere with Lake Michigan coastal traffic? Would they
affect the fishing industry? Would they be visible from the shore? There are lots of
questions but there is no doubt that alternative ways of making electricity are at the
top of the list for utility companies, environmentalists, and private citizens. Will the
wind turbines be part of the solution to greener energy?
Update: The city of Grand Rapids is proposing putting two 300 foot wind turbines on
land they own in Grand Haven, on Lake Michigan to power their water plant. If this project
goes forward it would be the first of its type in Michigan.
Photos of Indiana Wind Turbines by Bonnie Westbrook
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.
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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
Hello Terry and Bonnie, We have a good friend in the Wind Energy business in the Mid-State area that is helping farmers and land owners create a business opportunity that can help them make money and keep their land and lifestyles. Feel Free to send me anyone that is interested and I can refer them to our friend's company. Contact me by email for more details!
Terry and Bonnie--I loved driving past the fields of wind energy as we drove into Iowa a year ago...very cool. But to see these in other settings can be unsettling. In several communities in MN that produce their own power, they are required to have a percentage created by wind or other "green" method in the next few years. So now in the middle of several towns there are these huge wind turbines. Unsettling and controversial.
Jeanean, They are impressive up close so big and a great way to create energy. I hope it helps the farmers so they can remain in business.
Teri.We all want to be green but not if it inconveniences us. I would guess as the price of energy increases we will become more tolerant.
Terry & Bonnie, we are starting to see wind farms pop up in the Western part of our county. I don't mind them, it is land that was sitting fallow, but that is just me, I understand that some people don't like them, but it is just how things are going. I guess that it is just progress!
Tony ,We are going to have to make use of all our resources and its seem practical to use the wind.
Terry & Bonnie,
I'm thinking that the questions you posed in the blog post are the questions that are being debated. I understand the "can we see them from our backyard" question, but how could they affect the fishing fleet?
Mike in Tucson
Mike, I wish I could answer the questions I'm sure they will come up with some reason.
Terry and Bonnie, there were a lot of wind farms in Hawaii along the mountain ridges. Kinda funny looking!
I guess you have to have a certain type of area for these? I have not seen any on the East Coast...
your friend in Charlottesville Virginia!
I saw one of these things up close and personal for the first time last year and I have to say they are a lot bigger than I thought they were. They are HUGE!
I don't think we have many wind farms in Massachusetts...at least I have not seen any. It sounds like an interesting concept.
Pat,I bet it would look funny but sounds like a great place to have them
Charles, You need open spaces and lots of wind maybe to congested on the east coast.
Todd, My first encounter was on the expressway and they were transporting one of the blades on a flatbed. I took us a few minutes to realize what it was.
Bill it certainly is renewable but the issue is they are very big and people don't like to look at them.