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ESG 1500 News Blitz

sharing environmental science through the news 

DTE Wind Farm is Largest in Michigan

4/13/2020

10 Comments

 
By: Brianna Childers
Summary: The market for alternative energy is becoming dominated by wind and solar energy in order to reduce carbon emissions. Alternative renewable energy is becoming more popular from the fact that the world needs to reduce the need for burning coal and gas generated electricity. Many substantial companies such as DTE Energy have been investing millions of dollars in renewable energy sources for years. DTE is now transforming its power generation by building wind turbines. In 2019, a new wind park was created in Gratiot and Isabella County with more than 60 wind turbines. The Pine River Wind Park is now one of the largest wind farms in Michigan and generates enough power for more than 54,000 homes. The new project by DTE will reduce 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year which is equivalent to removing about 63,000 cars off the road for a year according to officials. Last year, DTE committed more than $2 billion in renewable energy for the next five years. By 2020 the energy company expects to generate enough energy to power more than 800,000 homes. 
​
One of the obvious benefits of wind power is that wind turbines do not produce carbon dioxide, particulates, acid gases etc. that could contaminate the atmosphere or groundwater. Other benefits of this energy are that wind turbines have a shorter planning period than nuclear power plants. Also, wind power projects are modular meaning that more wind turbines can be added to an area if necessary, to capture more energy. The biggest benefit however is that there is no fuel costs and air emissions. However, location is slightly tricky because the area needs to be windy in order to generate and capture the most amount of energy. 
Why we should care? Anyone who is concerned about global warming or running out of renewable resources should consider learning more about clean energy such as wind power. Right now, wind power is one of the largest suppliers of alternative green energy in the world!
Picture
Photo Credit: https://www.windpowerengineering.com/pine-river-wind-begins-commercial-operation-in-michigan/
Example Article: 
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/03/08/dte-energy-michigan-wind-farm/3104764002/

I found this article interesting because it mentions DTE, one of the biggest suppliers of energy in Michigan. DTE is my personal energy supplier in Detroit, therefore I was interested to read what they are doing to reduce carbon emissions. Global warming is becoming an enormous problem; therefore, I think that it is very important for larger companies to be taking steps to a cleaner future. Wind power is one of the most cost-effective ways to produce renewable energy and I am happy to see that this alternative energy is dominating the market along with solar energy. While researching this topic, I came across an article about possibly building offshore wind turbines which I also found very interesting as it may happen in the near future.​
Science in Action.
Josh Paquette is a research scientist in the Wind Energy Technologies Department at Sandia National Laboratories.

Paquette’s research includes understanding the dynamics of wind at different elevations in order to capture greater energy source. His research also includes addressing the structural and system dynamics of wind turbines. New materials and manufacturing processes are needed in order to address the emerging issues of scalability, transportation, and recycling as these turbines continue to get larger. Lastly, Paquette mentions that we need to focus on making renewable energy cost effective by designing and operating wind power plants to support and foster grid reliability and resiliency. Paquette’s research is relevant to my topic because for a wind plant to be successful, is must be cost effective, controllable, and placed in the right location.
10 Comments
Amanda Quinn
4/13/2020 16:39:44

Using wind and solar energy options instead of fossil fuels would be great for our country’s economy and for decreasing our carbon footprint. Hopefully more companies follow in DTE’s footsteps and start investing in renewable energy resources.

Reply
Taylor Demeere
4/14/2020 12:48:04

Alternative energy ways are growing and expanding which is creating clean energy for the world. I think that more cities and businesses should take part in solar and wind energy to decrease the carbon footprint. If more businesses and places do so then we will eventually decrease global warming big time.

Reply
Matthew Terryn
4/16/2020 15:29:15

I love the idea of DTE starting to get more energy from wind because its clean, efficient, and low-risk (compared to fossil fuels and nuclear.) I really do think that investing a lot of money now into clean energy will pay off immensely in the future both monetarily and environmentally. Some people actually present the argument against wind turbines based on attractiveness which in my opinion is absurd. I know that it is a valid thought but it goes against the needs of the environment and the businesses making these decisions.

Reply
Zoey Trombley
4/17/2020 12:48:31

During my internship over the summer I was lucky enough to sit in on a committee meeting at NOAA discussing the potential for offshore wind turbines along Maine and Massachusetts shorelines. If done this could create a lot more energy considering offshore turbines are much larger and there is a lot of area to build them. However, there is still a lot of issues that need to be discussed when it comes to offshore wind turbines such as how the construction and noise will effect ecosystems in the area, the potential of disrupting migration pathways for animals such as whales, as well as many other things. Regardless of this it is still a good renewable energy option, and I was glad to see so many people working on it.

Reply
Jala Daniel
4/21/2020 17:31:50

I think it’s great that a large company like DTE is making such a large step in improving our environment’s future by investing in more environmentally friendly energy sources. I believe in the future solar and wind energy will be a lot more popular and we will see improvement in our environment because of this.

Reply
Sarah Huskin
4/21/2020 20:08:54

I am really happy to see that DTE is making greener choices and investing in clean energy. I hope that in the future, electric companies like DTE continue focusing on sustainable energy. Wind turbines are used a lot along Canada's shoreline, its about time Michigan followed suit.

Reply
Ryan Pauli
4/21/2020 23:37:07

Before reading this blogpost, I was unaware that the largest wind park in Michigan is able to generate enough energy for 54,000 homes. Wind turbines are a great source of alternative energy that are able to lower carbon dioxide emissions. Providing sources of clean energy in today’s world is extremely important. It is great that with DTE’s new project that it will reduce 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Reply
Keara McLaughlin
4/28/2020 14:49:31

Prior to reading this, I had thought that DTE wasn't doing much in terms of greener energy. I was really pleased to hear about the work that they are doing! Looking to wind and other renewable/no emission energy sources is a really good thing and DTE is in a great position to be on the forefront of the movement.

Reply
Molly McKeon
10/22/2020 10:23:12

I am curious that if DTE has put so much time and effort in to being a greener company, then why are the electric bills still so high? I have been up to the thumb and seen the wind farms up there, so it is cool to see. I do not believe in the whole noise pollution thing. I have stood next to these things and I have never heard anything substantially noisy. Some say there is a hum from them, but I have never heard that either. I think the world could use more wind farms, especially where we know the plains are flat and have a chance to gain more wind energy.

Reply
Nikolas de Wit
10/22/2020 10:33:35

I greatly support DTE's move for a more green and healthy source of energy. As an Environmental Science major, I feel DTE is moving in the right direction. With the addition of new solar and wind farms, the decline of CO2 usage is becoming a real movement. I still believe the world has a long way to go, but energy suppliers such as DTE are making the much need strides to achieve his goal.

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