Wind: The new power player

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Wind, the invisible force generations of children captured to make kites soar into the spring skies, is being looked upon as a new source of power for homes, schools, businesses and factories.

Fanned by economics, politics and technological advancements, wind power is emerging as a cost-effective, reliable resource for renewable energy.

“The potential for wind energy in Michigan is very, very good,” said Mike Klepinger, Michigan State University Extension Specialist. “Our recent studies show we have tremendous capacity, but we have to resolve issues about transmission, grid pricing with utility companies, and local land use boards will have some decisions to make.”

When a Michigan wind resource map was released a year ago, the state was identified as a prime area for wind energy development. It ranked Michigan the 14th windiest state in America and developers began knocking on doors. Some of those doors were in the highlands of Missaukee and Osceola counties.

Developers from in-state and out-of-state are exploring areas capable of sustaining commercial operations. according to Copemish businessman Allan O'Shea, a seller of wind power generation equipment.

“It's like oil prospecting,” he said. “When developing a large wind farm, they need 4,000 to 6,000 acres. They're seeing what blocks of land they can get in a good wind area.”

Dubbed the new cash crop for farmers, the rush to obtain land options for utility scale operations takes Dave Stroud Extension Director for Missaukee County back 20 years when developers were seeking to lease oil and gas rights in the McBain and Marion area.

There are reasons to approach cautiously, he said.

“A lot (of landowners) leased for $10 an acre, but after the word got out they formed a group and were getting $154 an acre,” he said.

Stroud, who 18 months ago participated in an MSU extension tour and

study of wind farms in western states, evaluated local potential for wind power generation. He described the opportunities as “moderate.”

“I would love to see wind generation making money for some of our farmers,” he said. “Lease payments might make the difference between a farm staying in business or not.”

Steve Harsh, MSU professor of agriculture economics was also a member of the MSU western tour. He said Michigan has seen a high level of activity in developing wind power during the past year. Turbine installation increased 20 percent, he said.

He warns landowners to approach any legal leasing agreement armed with knowledge and to seek the counsel of an attorney.

“The leases look a lot like oil and gas leases in concept,” he said.

“They're very long-term, 25 to 30 years, with renewal another 10, 20 or 30 years. The person signing gives up opportunities on the land for a long period.”

Contracts vary. Typical annual payment might be $2,000 per turbine to $4,000, or a percent of the electric sale, Harsh said. There may be clauses making adjustments for inflation.

“Some companies include nondisclosure clauses,” he said. “That should be a red flag they should not sign.”

As land owners partner with developers and turbines pop up in the landscape, municipalities are forced to grapple with ordinance issues. A commercial 1.5 megawatt turbine perches on a 250-foot tower. Its blades are 10 percent longer than the wing span of a 747 jumbo jet. A large scale farm will consist of 30 or more turbines. Visual, sound and wildlife issues are among the points of contention when these turbines come to town.

“Local land use officials have a number of questions to deal with; principal use, setbacks, noise, color. Will they allow signs on them? They don't have anything to go by now and can't look to the next town as a model,” Klepinger said.

Despite the issues, the pluses of wind generation make for a long list. The cost of creating new wind power is lower than the price tag for creating new gas or goal power. Thanks to technological advancements, the cost to produce wind energy has dropped tenfold in the past 30 years, Klepinger added.

Environmentally, wind energy is a stand out. It's clean power. There's no combustion as with fossil fuels, and it doesn't contribute to global warming or acid rain, according to John Sarver, supervisor of technology assistance for the Michigan Energy Office.

“It's good for risk management. It's good for the environment. It creates local jobs and the economic impact in rural communities is very positive,” he said.

Wind power also offers a stability traditional energy sources are unable to provide.

“Once you build a wind generator, you know what it's going to cost you over the next 15 years,” he said. “There are no surprises, unlike natural gas prices going up and down.”

Burgeoning interest in harvesting Michigan wind may be fortuitous timing. Michigan's energy needs are growing by 2 percent each year. Predictions are that by 2009 to 2010 there will be problems with supply, according to Sarver.

“People should look at the bigger picture,” he said. “Are we going to build new coal power plants, wind generators or natural gas plants? We will need more energy in the future. It's a question of which option people like best.”

Part two in the Cadillac News Wind Energy series will appear in Tuesday's edition. It will address legislation, utility company involvement in wind generation and system costs.

sbarber@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)