1. Finding Wind Turbine Locations in Northwest Lower Michigan

3. Presentation Overview
Introduction & Background
Methodology
Anticipated Results & Problems
Questions

4. Introduction & Background
Michigan’s Renewable Portfolio Standard – 10% by 2015
Michigan ranked 14th in country for Wind Potential
MSU Land Policy Institute – estimated need for 1,250 wind turbines, 311 in region

5. Introduction & Background
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments area
NWMCOG’s role as the Regional Planning Organization

6. Methodology
Determine where 311 wind turbines should be located within NWMCOG region using a two step analysis process
Modified & expanded project from GEOG 586

8. Methodology – Step 1
Identify potential wind turbine sites with following criteria:
Located on agricultural or forested lands and offshore
Having the best wind potential
Not located within urban areas
Close to transportation
Close to Transmission Lines
Not located within environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, Great Lakes Dunes, steep slopes (greater than 20 percent), inland lakes, and protected wilderness areas

9. Methodology – Step 1 Layers converted to raster format
Raster files reclassified for suitability
Reclassified layers combined using Raster Calculator
Resulting layer identifies potential sites

10. Methodology – Step 2 Locating 311 towers on potential sites
Land based sites require ¼ acre minimum footprint and 450 meters distance between towers
Offshore sites require lakebed depth less than 180 ft and 50 ft based on current technology

11. Anticipated Results & Problems
Final Product – Map showing greater than 311 possible locations for wind turbines
Potential Problems – include acquiring Transmission Line data

12. Questions?