Some Basic Facts on Wind Generation in Michigan
Michigan has been identified by President Obama's administration as being one of four states capable of creating thousands of jobs in wind generation while helping to meet the national goal of ensuring 20 percent of America's power comes from wind energy by 2030. Additionally, Michigan has established a 10-step plan to reduce the state's use of fossil fuel by 45 percent and aims to meet this goal by 2020. Does this Spark an idea?
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Wind Turbines
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Michigan is capable of creating up to 8,459 new jobs manufacturing wind turbines. Turbines capture kinetic energy, literally meaning "moving power," from the passing wind and convert it into electrical energy. Turbines are made up of three main component parts, each performing different roles: The wind turns the blades, a gearbox increases their rotation speed and a generator converts the rotational energy into electrical energy using magnetic fields. Manufactured wind turbines have different power capabilities, and a 600 kW generator provides electricity enough for up to 200 households. That translates as 0.6 megawatts and according to the National Renewable Energy laboratory, Michigan has the potential to generate 16,650 megawatts of wind power.
Renewable Energy Legislation
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Setting a renewable energy standard for the entire state, Michigan's legislature passed the Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act in 2008. The law ensures that Michigan electric suppliers make at least 10 percent of their energy stock renewable by 2015. Specific regions were ring-fenced by the Michigan Public Service Commission as wind energy resource zones in 2010: a primary zone including parts of Bay, Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola counties as well as additional zones including Bad Axe and Traverse City.
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Offshore Wind Energy
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The Great Lakes Wind Council was formed to advise on the optimum locations for offshore wind generation in Michigan and submitted its final report in 2010. A total of 13,339 square miles of state-owned lakes were reported to be the most suitable places to place wind farms. The five best areas are listed as southern Lake Michigan, near Berrien County; northern Lake Michigan, near Delta County; central Lake Superior, near Alger County; central Lake Huron and southern Lake Huron. Any wind resource development is committed to protecting natural local resources, according to the report.
Michigan's 10-Step Initiative
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The 10 steps are based on saving energy and money, both by the state as a whole as well as individual residents and businesses. All residents are eligible for the Michigan Saves program that installs energy-efficient measures in their homes with no cost upfront. There is a monthly loan repayment to be met, but it's claimed that this is offset by the inevitable energy savings. Performance contracting plays the same role as the state program but is offered by private businesses to educational institutions and other private businesses. Another step offers residents and businesses the chance to generate their own wind power and sell any excess back into the state grid. In addition, green building techniques guarantee energy-efficient buildings for the future.
Great Lakes Energy Service
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This nonprofit organization was allotted $600,000 funding in 2010 to provide education about Michigan's Great Lakes offshore energy production and renewable energy potential. The organization visits interested and participating schools, providing mobile energy classrooms, and helps institutions to hold energy camps for students.
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