PLUG INTO A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR MICHIGAN

WIND ENERGY IN MICHIGANWHAT IS WIND ENERGY?Wind has been used by farmers for centuries to power windmills that were used to pump water and grind wheat and corn. In our day, the power of the wind can be harnessed to generate electricity. Wind energy is a completely renewable and non-polluting energy source.

HOW IS WIND ENERGY PRODUCED?Wind turbines, similar to windmills, convert energy from the wind into electricity. Wind speeds must turn the turbines fast enough to generate electricity, usually above 12 to 14 miles per hour. Large grid-connected arrays of turbines are grouped together in “wind farms,” where the electricity produced by each turbine is collected and sent through a transformer. The voltage is then increased and can be sent long distances over high-power lines.

Wind blows over the blades,causing them to turn1

Rotating blades turn a generatorthat converts energy into electricity2

The created power goes to a transformerwhich converts the voltage4

This voltage goes to the grid andis transported to homes and businesses 5

The electricity flows down the sha�3

PLUG INTO A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR MICHIGAN

RESOURCEShttp://www.dteenergy.com/dteEnergyCompany/environment/renewableEnergy/projectBackground.html

http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/images/windmaps/mi_50m_800.jpg

http://www.dteenergy.com/dteEnergyCompany/environment/renewableEnergy/wind.html

http://www.dteenergy.com/dteEnergyCompany/environment/renewableEnergy/aboutWindFarms.html

http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/what_is_wind.asp

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter16.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_turbine

http://www.dteenergy.com/dteEnergyCompany/environment/renewableEnergy/aboutWindFarms.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/dte-energy-wind-turbines-huron-sanilac_n_1570985.html

http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/06/dte_energy_investing_500_milli.html

OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WIND ENERGY AND WIND FARMS• Wind turbines and their service roads require only 3 to 5 percent of the total land in the wind farm. The vast

majority of the land remains available for normal activities.

• Wind turbines can create electricity for onsite use and to export for use at other sites.

• The total height of a wind turbine is approximately 120 meters (394 feet) from the tower base to the tip of the rotor.

• The size of a wind farm depends on the area of land available, additional electrical demand required, and available electrical system capacity.

• Wind farm development can require up to five years for siting, zoning, feasibility and environmental studies, permits, and construction.