For week 11’s module – we were tasked with selecting a potential site for a wind farm in the Great Lakes area. After reviewing maps for average wind speed and potential wind power areas, I chose to focus on the “thumb” of Michigan. The location I found is within a few miles of the coast of Saginaw Bay off Lake Huron. It appears to be around 2000 acres of a currently existing and operating quarry. I researched the following criteria/concerns regarding wind farms:
Wind Speed – towers seem to be between 250-300 feet in height or approximately 80 meters. According to one site – the average wind speed for 70 meters in that vicinity is 15-17 mph. This is more than adequate to power the turbines.
Ornithology – several bird migration routes cross this area with waterfowl being the largest. Reports I read indicated they could not find any real issues with wind farms and bird migration routes. I imagine this might change depending on the density of the wind turbines. The current use of a quarry versus an agricultural use might also be a positive factor in locating a wind farm here.
Noise/Shadow Flicker – there are conflicting reports on the level of noise that wind turbines make but again – located in an area that has a large use of heavy equipment – noise should not be a huge factor. There did appear to be some dwellings surrounding the area but again, the area is large enough to space the turbines away from homes both for the potential noise factor and the shadow flicker.
Shipping Impact – I could not see where there were any large shipping vessel routes into Saginaw Bay so this should not be a concern. Wind farms have been know to create “noise” in radar but the technology is getting better as well as the location again isn’t near any larger shipping channels.
Landscape/Visual Impact – the current use of the property already has impacted the view and landscape. The quarry has been in operation since the 1890’s so everyone should be used to the area not being visually appealing .
Access/Need – due to the current use – access into the property should be fairly easy and there is a small town within a few miles from the quarry that could potentially make use of the newly created power source.
I feel an area that could potentially be ending it’s current use and is possibly at least in part under transition could benefit from a new use. There are already at least 2 wind farms currently operating in that part of Michigan so viability seems to be high.
