MAREC project to revolutionize wind power

A small, inexpensive wind turbine developed at Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon could revolutionize home and commercial power generation and create West Michigan manufacturing jobs.

The turbine was invented by Imad Mahawili, MAREC’s executive director. Measuring 36 inches in diameter and with a retail cost of around $2,000, the device will be sold at home improvement stores and generate up to 20 percent of the average home’s electricity.

“This is a breakthrough wind turbine technology that was developed with specific focus on low cost of manufacture and high efficiency. These are critical innovation objectives much sought after in wind technology to reduce both the installed cost per kilowatt of power and the operating cost per kilowatt hour,” Mahawili said.

Mahawili’s company, E-net LLC, has licensed the technology to EarthTronics, a manufacturer of energy efficient lighting products committed to the conservation of energy and the protection of the environment. “EarthTronics was carefully selected to take this product to market due to their focus on green technology and high volume manufacturing. Their local presence and marketing expertise including international connections are key advantages to the successful launch of this innovative wind technology,” Mahawili said.

Testing of the product has already started and additional prototypes and pre-production will be completed immediately. Once the final testing is complete EarthTronics plans to debut the first working model at several conventions in September. EarthTronics plans to be in production with product available to the retail markets by first quarter 2009. EarthTronics currently is located in the MAREC facility and will debut the new turbine with the move to a new tech facility being built in downtown Muskegon.

“We believe this product will revolutionize wind technology,” said Reg Adams, president of EarthTronics. “We will start the process immediately to source local West Michigan vendors to help support the launch of this project. It will require a variety of vendors and subcontractors through the next years to come to complete a full line for the new WindTronics Turbine line. Both Dr. Mahawili and I are very excited for the opportunity to look at producing a home grown product here in West Michigan.”

The first of the two new models scheduled for release will target both residential and commercial markets. A second smaller model is specifically designed to support third world markets.