Wind energy systems use the wind to turn a set of aerodynamic blades attached to an electric generator or turbine. When the wind blows, the blades turn, spinning a shaft that creates electricity in a generator. Wind turbines that are being manufactured have power ratings ranging from 250 to 2,000,000 watts (2 MW).
For example, Traverse City Light and Power has a 600 kW (600,000 watts) wind generator that provides power for approximately 200 households. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has estimated that Michigan has a potential for development of 16, 560 MW.
- Report of the Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council (October 1, 2010)
- Letter to Governer from Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth - GLOW Council Report Trasmittal Letter (October 7, 2010)
- Why Offshore Wind?
- A presentation given by the Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council at the March 25, 2010 Bay City Coastal Community Meeting.
- Wind Power Installed in Michigan
- Harvest Wind Farm Fact Sheet
- This fact sheet was produced by Creative 360 took tours to the wind farm in June and October of 2008. The wind farm is a leading example of Michigan's future in renewable energy technology. Their next tour will be on August 8, 2009.
Large Off-Shore Wind Information
- Ann Arbor Startup Hopes to Facilitate Offshore Wind Farms Out of Sight (September 18, 2008 - Ann Arbor Business Review)
- Deep Offshore Wind Power Generation Using Oil and Gas Platform Technology (December 18, 2008 - Renewable Energy World)
- Michigan Great Lakes Offshore Wind Permitting Dry Run (May, 2008 - Final Report - MEDC, GLERA, Mikinetics Consulting, LLC)
- Regulators Plan Great Lakes Off-Shore Wind Generation (October 29, 2008 - Kalamazoo News)
Local Wind Energy News Articles
- Detroit Free Press: Wind Turbines Propel Michigan Closer to 2015 Renewable Energy Goal (February 17, 2014)
- Detroit Free Press: Michigan’s largest wind farm starting to take shape (July 10, 2011)
- MLive: Proposed wind farms details to be discussed during Muskegon County Planning Session (July 9, 2011)
- The Grand Rapids Press: Wind Turbine Policies Need Revisiting, Michigan State Researchers Say (Friday, July 1, 2011)
- The Bay City Times: Saginaw Valley plans Advanced Energy Storage conference on June 3rd (Monday, April 26, 2010)
- The Bay City Times: Michigan Wind Energy Conference showcases Saginaw Bay area projects (Thursday, April 22, 2010)
- The Bay City Times: Bay County to install wind turbines, run solar-powered golf carts (Friday, March 26, 2010)
- The Bay City Times: Delta College to offer wind turbine technology degree (Wednesday, April 15, 2009)
- The Bay City Times: Bay County businesses jockeying for spot in growing renewable energy industries (Monday, January 26, 2009)
