Wind energy deployment study released

The West Michigan Wind Assessment project team at Grand Valley State University has released the first in a series of issue briefs on wind energy in West Michigan. The brief, “Wind Energy Deployment: Global Lessons for West Michigan,” summarizes factors that have influenced wind energy across the country and around the world.

“The findings bring home lessons to West Michigan’s coastal zone,” said Erik Nordman, principal investigator of the project and assistant professor of biology at Grand Valley. The full report can be found at
www.gvsu.edu/wind/project-documents-3.htm. Key findings include:

• The combination of adequate winds and proximity to the electric grid makes West Michigan an attractive place for utility-scale development.
• Most states have the “standard” permitting process for wind energy development: local units of government control wind energy siting through zoning ordinances.
• The public may be more accepting of wind energy projects if they perceive more direct benefits in the form of community ownership.
• Studies show projects with high levels of participatory planning are more likely to be publicly accepted and successful.

The West Michigan Wind Assessment is a Michigan Sea Grant-funded project which is analyzing the benefits and challenges of wind energy development in coastal West Michigan.

For more information, contact Erik Nordman at (315) 491-1421 or (616) 331-8705, or contact GVSU News and Information Services at (616) 331-2221.