Wind Farm Resort
Caseville, Michigan
Wind Farm Landowner Wind Farm Community Wind Farm Discussion Sewage Farm
"Governor Granholm says Michigan already has advantages to attract companies that make components for wind turbines--manufacturing capacity, skilled workers and a windy shoreline..." Huron Daily Tribune. The Governor seems to be offering all Michigan's shoreline to the wind developers-- on and offshore. The total value of Great Lakes shoreline used for residences has to be in the 10's of billions of dollars. When the recreational real estate market grasps the significance the Governor's invitation there could be a significant price calamity everywhere along the Michigan Great Lakes shoreline as buyers move to the sidelines or buy some where else.
At a State of Michigan Wind Working Group meeting several places were identified where wind turbines could be located. The map includes 500 MW of capacity offshore in Saginaw Bay. Also mentioned is offshore north of Pointe Aux Barques, near Port Austin.
As massive as it appears, a Caseville offshore wind farm with 320 turbines would have a name plate capacity of only 520 MW and, even that, is less than it seems. During a year of variable winds the turbines might operate at 1/3 of their maximum potential, 170 MW perhaps. (For comparison, the coal fired plant in Harbor Beach, which sits on 40 acres, tiny by modern standards, has a name plate capacity of 103 MW. Here is a list of Detroit Edison's existing power plants.)
Here is a Masters thesis evaluating the practicality of putting wind turbines offshore in the Great Lakes. Shallow water is desirable if not necessary and Saginaw Bay has plenty of that. There are no floating wind turbines available. Developing that would take years and might be too expensive. Even if there were floating turbines, at 400' tall with turning blades and flasing lights, they would be visible for many miles across a lake so locating them miles offshore might not do much to save lake views on a clear day or a clear night. The States bordering the Great Lakes are actively planning to put wind turbines off shore. Great Lakes Wind Collaborative Work Plan Where on the Great Lakes is it safe to own lake front property?
As long as public officials don't rule out wind farms on the great lakes and can't be specific about locations purchasing shore front property on the Great Lakes has a new and significant risk.
The first view below is from Sand Pointe north to Port Austin in the distance.
Below is a view of the kind of space 320 wind turbines can take in open water. Follow the pale green ribbon from Sand Pointe to Port Austin. Detroit Edison has said they want to put 1000 more wind turbines on Huron County farmland.
Another offshore array of wind turbines in a configuration that might resemble what could be in Saginaw Bay or farther north in shallow water along the Lake Huron shoreline.
