Not at this time, although we are following developments in this area. Steven Kurmas, President of Detroit Edison, was named to the Governor's Great Lakes Wind Council in February 2009. The council has been charged to "...identify criteria that can be used to review applications for offshore wind development [and] identify criteria for mapping areas that should be excluded from offshore wind development and those areas that are most favorable for such development, providing a full report to the governor by September 1, 2009."
Our team is conducting extensive studies to minimize any effects on wildlife. We are working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and external agencies to analyze migratory flyways and breeding grounds.
Mike Daulton, Director of Conservation Policy for the National Audubon Society, testified before the Committee on Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans in 2007 on the impacts of wind turbines on birds and bats. The Audubon Society takes the position that climate change is a more severe danger to wildlife than the alternative means of energy production, as long as those production facilities -- such as wind turbines -- are sited carefully.
One important consideration is that advancements in wind turbine design have greatly reduced the impact on birds, bats and other wildlife from wind turbine operation since the first wind farms were built decades ago.
Older turbines were smaller, more densely spaced in a wind farm area, closer to the ground, and rotated at higher speeds. Older turbine support structures were lattice type – providing an attraction to birds for perching and potential nests. All these factors contributed to an inevitable, and unfortunate, toll on birds.
Modern turbines are taller, rotate at a much lower speeds so are easier to see, are less densely spaced in an area, and are supported by single steel tubular structures designed – in part – to discourage perching and nesting. The nacelle cover and external components are designed similarly to eliminate bird perch points.
For more information, visit the American Wind Energy Association Web site and the Audubon Society's WindPower Q&A.
When you have to measure the cost to produce energy over decades, a lot of variables go into the calculation. One must estimate the future prices of equipment, operating costs and fuel to compare the lifetime costs of electricity generated by more traditional sources against the equipment, operating costs and intermittent nature of producing electricity from the wind. In general, an advantage for wind generation is that its fuel cost is likely to remain steady and free.
Three months, on average. After that, wind projects are a net positive, producing electricity without any air or water discharges. It is important to recognize that it takes pollution to make any form of energy generation, but relatively few technologies are then able to make energy without emitting more pollution. Wind is one of those technologies.
Detroit Edison does not sell or install home wind systems – often called “small wind” to distinguish them from utility-scale projects. Neither can Detroit Edison recommend any specific contractors at this time.
Small wind development is explained in depth on these sites:
American Wind Energy Association small wind toolbox
Small Wind Electric Systems from the US Department of Energy
Wind power workshops from Solar Power International
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
This is called Net Metering. If you are considering installation and operation of a wind turbine to provide power for your home or business facility, please visit our Customer Generation Web page for detailed information about interconnection requirements, guidelines, applications, rate options, and vendors. For safety reasons, before installing a permanently connected generating system, you must receive authorization from Detroit Edison and all other applicable regulatory bodies to ensure all local, state and federal codes and regulations are met.
Depending on the nature of the event and the date, we may be able to provide a speaker or a display about wind power and other renewable energy options. Please call 313.235.4654 or e-mail renewableenergy@dteenergy.com as soon as possible and provide your contact information and detailed information about the event.
