The Answer Is Blowing In The Wind

By Harry Burkholder

Once a slogan synonymous with social activism, one northern Michigan man is working to get "Power to the People" synonymous with green energy. The slogan is the mission of the Traverse City based Michigan Wind Power, a local dealer for small scale down-wind turbines. A self described wind power enthusiast, owner Garth Ward says the new small-scale down-wind turbines are designed for use in residential or small businesses.

Click above to view an interview with Garth Ward 

The new small scale down-wind turbines are part of what Garth calls the "new technology" of wind power. "Most people are familiar with traditional wind turbines, these are much different." Traditional wind turbines are typically located in open spaces or well above tree line in order to harvest the optimum amount of free flowing wind. Standing over 100 feet tall, the large moving objects dramatically alter the appearance of the surrounding landscape. In addition, the power generated by traditional wind turbines had to be converted before it could be used within the home. This typically required an inversion box and a series of batteries located in the basement. The conversion of power from the turbine to the home severely limits the amount of electricity (220 volts) needed to run a typical household. 

The new small scale down-wind turbine converts the power directly on the turbine. Power is then fed into the power-company grid to produce the minimum 220 volts of electricity needed to run the house. As the turbine moves, it allows the owners to "bank" the excess electricity. Additionally, in some locations the new small scale down-wind turbines are able to capture wind as low as 33 feet.   

Perhaps the biggest difference between the traditional and new technology wind turbine is the cost. Traditional wind turbines can require an investment of up to $60,000 while a wind turbine using new technology may only require an investment of up to $12,000.

According to Lynn Hamilton, MSU Department of Agriculture and Economics, Michigan ranks 14^th in terms of wind energy potential, but is currently well behind other states in terms of in stalled wind generating capacity. In fact a map developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy shows that the west side of Lower Michigan as having the highest potential for wind energy.

Community and municipal support for wind turbines in northwest Michigan has been a mixed bag. Garth noted one Garfield Township official who questioned whether traffic caused by gawkers looking at the turbine would justify a rezoning of his property to commercial use. Garth also noted Garfield Township requires five types of insurance to erect a small wind turbine.

Click above to view an interview with Larry Mawby 

Meanwhile, Garth says Leelanau County officials support his small wind turbines as long as they meet safety and power quality standards from the Institute of Electrical and Electric Engineers (IEEE) and the Underwriter Laboratories (UL). In fact, local wine maker, Larry Mawby recently erected a small wind turbine in the middle of his 13 acre vineyard. According to Larry, the on-site power generated by the wind turbine is just the beginning of what he feels is a move to more sustainable practices, "Anyway that we can get energy and use it, really needs to be something that we can continue with for 10, 20 thousand years, if not, you're not being sustainable and that's not good."

In the future, Larry would like to install seven additional wind turbines around his vineyard. However, Bingham Township has only allowed him to erect one. Larry went on to say that as the technology in wind turbines improves, he feels more and more people will come around to the benefits of wind power.

Garth believes the biggest obstacle is public perception, "when you mention the word wind generator or wind turbine or wind tower, people are thinking 100feet tall, and they are thinking really noisy. The hardest thing is to educate smart people, and there are a lot of smart people out there."

Videos recorded and reporting by LIAA summer interns Richard Manner and Mikhail Schlkey.

Harry Burkholder is a Planner at the Land Information Access Association.