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OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY in Lake Michigan
There is a significant amount of wind energy potential in Lake Michigan.
There are studies which show the promise of windpower in the Great Lakes to be
better than any proposed wind development on land.
There are several areas being considered for wind development. One of
the main areas being consider for wind in Lake Michigan is an underwater island called the Mid-Lake Plateau.
This broad, relatively flat-topped cuesta, lying directly east of Milwaukee,
lies generally at depths less than 90m and extends upward to minimum depths of
40-60m at three localities. Escarpments which form its northwestern, western,
and southwestern boundaries are thought to expose the resistant eastward-dipping
middle Devonian limestones of the Traverse Group (Thwaites, 1949; Emery, 1950;
Wold, 1980). Deeper channels on the west and east, and the South Chippewa Basin
on the south, bound the Mid-Lake Plateau and isolate it from other shallow water
areas. This feature was undoubtedly an island during part of the time of the
Lake Chippewa lowstand. Post-glacial lacustrine sediments thin or are missing
over the top of this feature, suggesting that it is today swept by strong
currents which prevent or inhibit sediment deposition.
There also exists significant shallow areas off shore near Muskegon, Michigan
and around Gary, Indiana that show promise.
Unfortunately, most mid to large turbine manufacturers of
offshore turbines are now about four years out for delivery due to the rapid
growth in offshore wind in Europe. While we see significant promise in
offshore wind in the United States, the hurdles thrown in front of offshore wind
along the Eastern Coast of the United States had dampened the spirits of many
developers and manufacturers. We see the tide slowly turning and agree
that offshore wind could start as early as 2010.
OFFSHORE WIND TURBINES
So how is it done?
So what will the offshore windfarm look like?
Here are some photos of European offshore windfarms.
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