SUTTONS BAY -- An ever increasing interest in energy alternatives brought more than 100 farmers and landowners to a series of wind energy workshops provided by the Michigan State University Extension of Leelanau County, the latest held at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station.
"Michigan has a lot of good opportunities for good wind energy production," said Dr. Stephen Harsh of Michigan State University, as he provided information on small wind systems and the economic, zoning and funding opportunities available for interested northern Michigan landowners.
Pointing out the benefit a thriving turbine industry can have in turning around a sluggish economy, Harsh sees wind as eventually becoming the least expensive way to produce energy as well as bring down greenhouse gas emissions. According to Harsh, $20 billion leaves the Michigan economy each year in non-renewable fuel costs.
"I often get calls from people who say they 'Have a lot of wind' and are sure that they should put up a windmill," said Harsh, who pointed out it takes more than a gust of wind to make the installation of a turbine system successful.
"God gave us wind and it is going to continue blowing for generations," said Harsh, though he strongly suggested doing a thorough job of exploring the costs, benefits and available wind supply before jumping into the purchase of an energy generation system.
"Know what your motivations are, what you expect to get out of it and what your local electric company and townships require," Harsh said.
Frank Siepker, a Cherryland Electric representative, gave vital information on the relationship between local power companies and the energy producing resident.
"The electric companies and consumers work together to provide a seamless bridge between power from wind energy and from the traditional grid," said Siepker, who outlined the pricing policies for purchasing excess wind energy.
Brian Tennis, an organic farmer from Omena, plans to take his farm "off the grid" completely, in part by installing a windmill.
"We plan to use solar and wind energy, we feel it is the way to go," said Tennis, who worked with MSU Leelanau County Extension director Robert Sirrine to write a grant to fund his windmill installation. Tennis, who has also attended extension workshops on growing hops and sweet cherries, found the information provided at the wind energy workshop helpful in his decision to pursue using alternative fuel sources.
"We want to go old school, windmills have been around for a very long time," Tennis said.
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