Michigan Manufactures a Utility Scale Wind Turbine

by Bruce Goodman

The Department of Energy’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act partial funding has produced the first-ever utility scale wind turbine manufactured and assembled in Michigan. The newly designed Northern Power System 2.2 MW wind turbine, with its permanent magnet direct drive generator, had parts manufactured and assembled by Merrill Technologies of Saginaw. The Northwind 2.2 prototype unit will now be sent to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado for validation and testing, with a prototype also to be tested at the Stoney Corners Wind Farm near McBain under a special power purchase agreement with Detroit Edison. The Merrill Technologies supply chain involves more than 70 companies, including Energetx Composites of Holland which is building blades for the project and Betz Industries of Grand Rapids which is casting the hubs.

The Meaning of Being Green – San Francisco

by Bruce Goodman

Last weekend I was in San Francisco visiting my daughter. Even the casual observer cannot ignore signs that this city takes environmental issues far more seriously than elsewhere. The number of Prius vehicles on the streets is astounding and, in fact, they look like giants compared to the vast majority of small cars on the San Francisco streets. Then there is the three-container trash disposal areas: one for composting, one for recycling, and one for whatever is left over. I could not help but notice that the leftover bin always seemed to contain the smallest amount of material.

I found myself riding public transportation frequently and the use of GPS technology to make a less uncertain experience. Knowing when the next bus or packed train was arriving at least gives a sense of control for planning one’s trips and arrival times. Cell phones gave access to the same information that appeared on numerous bus stops and train kiosks. Isn’t this a kind of “smart grid” for transportation?

Finally, the ZipCar availability within the city made the idea of private automobile ownership “almost” obsolete. We used one to visit the San Francisco dump, not a typical tourist attraction. It was well organized and consistent with the reduce, recycle, reuse (reinvent?) aspect of this green California city.

No wind turbines in San Francisco Bay or on Angel Island, yet.