Brandon Twp.- In Joe Boston’s backyard is a windmill, about 20 feet in height, with several long blades at the top. He uses the device to charge batteries for a backup sump pump, in an area where power is frequently lost during storms.
Wind turbines haven’t swept across the township yet, but in anticipation of residents following Boston’s lead, the township planning commission and a packed room of interested citizens listened to a presentation on alternative energy given by Josh Long of Carlisle/Wortman Associates, Inc. on April 14.
‘We had a full house, every chair was filled,? said Township Planning Consultant Doug Lewan. ‘People seem very interested in wind energy. Most of the comments we received from the public were, ‘how can I do this on my property?? The planning commission thought it went very well and they would like us to develop ordinance language.?
Lewan plans to bring before the planning commission model language from communities which have wind energy ordinances. The language would likely be placed in a zoning ordinance here and would regulate height, setback, noise and other issues.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s website (www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_how.html), wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power, which can be used for specific tasks, such as grinding grain or pumping water, or a generator can convert the power into electricity.
While Michigan ranks 14th among all 50 states for wind energy potential by the Wind Energy Association, the majority of potential is found on the west side of the state and in the thumb area, due to the Great Lakes, Long said. Southeast Michigan is not the best area for large wind turbines, but may be right for small, residential turbines, which can be set up at 30-60 feet, for one to five kilowatts of power, and have the potential to reduce energy bills to zero.
The visual impact of turbines on 2-3 acres of land is minimal, Long notes, with a 30-60 foot turbine about twice as tall as a house. Small wind turbines make about as much noise a refrigerator, air conditioner, or normal conversation? roughly 60 decibels, but as the wind gets higher, the noise rises, also.
Boston researched windmills and bought his from a website and put it together himself about four years ago. Now the information technology project manager is designing a new one that he plans to put up in a few weeks. He wants it to be a model for one he plans to sell, and believes the new one should generate about 200 watts of power, as opposed to his current one, which makes about 100 watts.
‘The first one I put up as a test to see how it would work,? Boston said. ‘The next one will be based off what I learned. We have low wind in our area, so I am targeting low wind solutions. There are days where my windmill won’t spin and days when it spins quite a bit.?
The windmill keeps the sump pump batteries charged, but he wants to create a better design for the windmill, so he can use it for other purposes. He also hopes to get a variance from the planning commission to exceed 20 feet.
‘I think wind energy is a good option for this area, but not at 20 feet,? Boston said. ‘The 50-60 foot range is more viable, but I’m hoping for around 40. You’re still able to use it at lower heights, but you have to scale back what you’re doing.?
Planning Commission Chairman Ron Haase said at some point, there has to be an ordinance. He expects discussion on the issue within the next month. The planning commission meets at 7:30 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, at the township offices, 395 Mill St.