{"id":2363,"date":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-03-27T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/otava.test\/could-wind-farms-power-michigan-data-centers\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T07:09:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T07:09:18","slug":"could-wind-farms-power-michigan-data-centers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.otava.com\/blog\/could-wind-farms-power-michigan-data-centers\/","title":{"rendered":"Could Wind Farms Power Michigan Data Centers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/strong>Globally, data centers are seeing increases in their power consumption as well as higher energy costs.<\/p>\n

If you combine these factors together, you can understand why CIOs and data center operators are looking to alternative energy resources to reduce energy use and costs. \u00a0In addition, there is a movement in the information technology industry to make data centers greener.<\/p>\n

Michigan\u2019s geographical location and natural resources offer many positives for data centers such as a cool climate and lack of natural disasters. \u00a0But does Michigan offer renewable energy resources that could be used to power data facilities? \u00a0According to my research, the answer is yes.<\/p>\n

One possible renewable energy resource is wind power. \u00a0Although this energy source does not come without some controversy, it does produce clean power without creating pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n

What is Wind Power?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wind power is using the wind to generate mechanical power or electricity, says the U.S. Department of Energy. \u00a0Wind turbines convert kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. \u00a0The wind turbines use the force of moving air to generate electricity by rotating propeller-like blades around a rotor. \u00a0The motion of the rotor turns the drive shaft and turns an electric generation. \u00a0How Wind Turbines Make Electricity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How Are Data Centers Using Wind Power?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Several large technology companies like Apple and Google are investing in renewable energy sources like wind to power their data centers. \u00a0\u00a0According to Apple\u2019s website, they have reached their goal of using 100 percent renewable energy at all of their data centers.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, it was discovered that Apple filed for a patent for a unique energy storage system for wind energy. \u00a0The Apple Insider<\/a> reports that the patent describes the technology as converting friction from rotating turbine blades into heat. \u00a0The heat is stored in a \u201clow-heat-capacity\u201d fluid so whenever the wind is at a lull, the stored heat can be transferred to a \u201cworking fluid\u201d and create steam. \u00a0The steam then is directed to a turbine that is connected to a generator.<\/p>\n

Since 2010, Google has been making wind power investments including investing in about $200 million dollars in a Texas wind farm. \u00a0The 161-megawatt facility has 70 wind turbines producing 2.3 megawatts of power, which is enough energy to power more than 60,000 average U.S. homes. \u00a0Google has also worked with utility companies like the Grand River Dam Authority to supply wind-generated power to its Oklahoma data center.<\/p>\n

Michigan Has Great Wind Potential<\/strong><\/p>\n

In order to have a successful wind farm, an area has to have an annual average wind speed around 14.5 mph or greater at an 80 meter height. \u00a0The wind speed is measured at this height because typically utility-scale wind turbines are installed between 80 and 100 meters height.<\/p>\n

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and AWS Truewind, LLC research found that some of the strongest on-shore winds are in Michigan\u2019s thumb area measuring around 16 to 18 mph. \u00a0This region has seen a number of wind farm projects develop over the years. \u00a0DTE Energy has constructed two wind farms in Huron County and one in Sanilac County, both located in Michigan\u2019s thumb region. View map of DTE Energy Wind Farms in Michigan\u2019s Thumb<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Michigan<\/a>
Michigan – Wind Power<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are other regions in Michigan, especially around the Great Lakes, that offers offshore wind power possibilities. \u00a0Based on research, offshore wind speeds are around 15.7 mph up to 21.3 mph. \u00a0However, wind farm development has been delayed in these regions because of political considerations.<\/p>\n

Powering Michigan Data Centers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although the wind industry has seen a slow in growth due to uncertainties of federal policies, there is still potential for Michigan data centers<\/a> to use wind energy. \u00a0This year the wind industry saw some encouragement when Congress extended a 2.2 cent per kWh production tax credit including an investment tax credit for offshore wind projects. \u00a0Without this tax credit, Environment Michigan estimated that new wind-energy construction would drop by 75 percent.<\/p>\n

\"United<\/a>
United States Wind Speed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I would encourage Michigan data centers to consider using wind-generated power from Michigan utility companies \u2013 a definite win-win situation for Michigan\u2019s economy and environment. \u00a0Michigan\u2019s wind energy projects create construction and operation jobs within a region. \u00a0Property owners receive additional rent income and Michigan counties\/townships receive additional tax revenue from the wind farms and the property owners. \u00a0In addition, wind energy minimally impacts the environment and does not add new air or water emissions.<\/p>\n

Related Articles:<\/p>\n

Michigan \u2013 The Next Cool Thing for Data Centers<\/a><\/em>
\nKeeping cool is the number one cost for data centers.\u00a0 With rows and rows of servers and equipment producing heat, data centers have traditionally been cooled by using air conditioning.\u00a0 This is an inefficient way to cool data centers and \u2026 Continue reading \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s Tornado Season. Is Your Data Safe?<\/a><\/em>
\nSpring is slowly starting here in Michigan. The snow is finally melting, and the sun is able to warm me up enough to not need my winter jacket. I don\u2019t think I\u2019m making too big a leap when I say \u2026 Continue reading \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n

Choosing Your Data Center Location: Why Michigan?<\/a><\/em>
\nMichigan Offers Top Data Center\u2019s Host Cities Recently I listened to a very interesting webinar by UBM Future Cities \u201cChoosing Your Data Center\u2019s Host City.\u201d The webinar focused on what qualities you should consider when selecting a location to build \u2026 Continue reading \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Globally, data centers are seeing increases in their power consumption as well as higher energy costs. If you combine these factors together, you can understand why CIOs and data center operators are looking to alternative energy resources to reduce energy use and costs. \u00a0In addition, there is a movement in the information technology industry to make data centers greener. Michigan\u2019s geographical location and natural resources offer many positives for data centers such as a cool climate and lack of natural disasters. \u00a0But does Michigan offer renewable energy resources that could be used to power data facilities? \u00a0According to my research, the answer is yes. One possible renewable energy resource is wind power. \u00a0Although this energy source does not come without some controversy, it does produce clean power without creating pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. What is Wind Power? Wind power is using the wind to generate mechanical power or electricity, says the U.S. Department of Energy. \u00a0Wind turbines convert kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. \u00a0The wind turbines use the force of moving air to generate electricity by rotating propeller-like blades around a rotor. \u00a0The motion of the rotor turns the drive shaft and turns an electric generation….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"other_category":[],"class_list":["post-2363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCould Wind Farms Power Michigan Data Centers? | OTAVA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Can wind farms power Michigan data centers? 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