KVCC Goes Wind Win

In these days of dwindling energy sources, communities are beginning to take a closer look at new potential sources for energy. Wind power is a popular candidate in Southwestern Michigan, where strong winds blow ashore year 'round.

Researchers at universities and colleges seem to agree that the energy harnessed by wind turbines from Michigan’s ‘lake effect’ could provide clean, lasting, and safe energy. According to Michigan State University study, Michigan could produce more than 10 times the amount of electricity needed during a peak-use period if 10,000 offshore wind turbines operated along the Great Lakes.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is leading the wind energy movement in the region, erecting the first of four fully operational, 120-foot tall, wind turbines in the Kalamazoo area. KVCC received its special-use permit and approval of a site plan from the Texas Township Planning Commission in early December, and could have the first wind turbine producing energy as early as January.

In addition to the energy benefits, KVCC is using the turbine as a learning resource. Wind energy will be incorporated into the college's technical programs, and there are plans to establish a Wind Energy Center in the near future.

“An educational institution leading by example is the way I see it,” said James DeHaven, vice president for economic and business development. DeHaven believes the KVCC Wind Energy Center will have educational, job-training, employment, entrepreneurial, and research-and-development ramifications for this part of the state.

Currently, wind power represents only one percent of the nation’s total energy output. With the free winds that come across Lake Michigan, Michigan may be geographically situated to head the movement toward wind power as a significant source of energy. With energy resources diminishing, and Michigan’s economy in trouble, advancing this industry may be a shot in the arm that southwest Michigan could use. These turbines and the educational programs attached to them at KVCC are a big step in making this a reality. It may be interesting to note that Kalamazoo was once known as “The Windmill City.” It was home to several manufacturers that, at their peak, made 4,000 windmills annually and sold to 1,500 overseas markets in the early 20^th Century. So, in a sense, it's "back to the future."