THE CHALLENGES OF MAKING WIND

Warning to Michigan manufacturers: Nothing easy about getting into wind energy
Jeff Engel, July 29, 2010 (The Grand Rapids Press via MLive)

"With more than 8,000 parts in a wind turbine, there are thousands of opportunities for Michigan manufacturers to join the growing market -- but the transition is not quick or easy.

"…[A] business first must understand the market and make sure the company's capabilities match industry needs, said Dan Radomski, co-founder of consulting firm Kinetik Partners, which specializes in wind technology commercialization…"

The opportunity is immense. (click to enlarge)

"A major transition could take six to 24 months with no return on the investment for at least two years, according to Jeff Grabner, director of wind product sales for Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Co. Inc…The Cleveland, Ohio company began making fasteners for wind turbines in 2007…[N]ow 40 percent of its business…[the aggressive shift…[took a lot of] time and capital…

"Some Michigan companies, like Paragon D&E, have been considering the wind industry for a couple years…Others, like Energetx Composites LLC and Burke E. Porter Machinery Co., are among the more than 100 Michigan businesses who already have entered the industry…Kelly Slikkers, Energetx vice president of business development, hopes the wind turbine blade and nacelle maker will be an anchor for the wind industry in Michigan…But demand for wind turbines remains inconsistent…Wind power installations to date this year are well below 2009 levels, America's busiest year to date…"

That's Traverse City, Michigan (click to enlarge)

"…[A] national renewable electricity standard [would] spur demand and attract manufacturing investment…Michigan is one of more than 25 states with a binding standard, requiring utilities to achieve at least 10 percent renewable energy by 2015…The results can be seen in Consumers Energy's plan for 56 wind turbines in Mason County by late 2012 and DTE Energy's announcement this week it's seeking wind turbine suppliers for farms planned by the end of 2014, primarily in Huron County.

"But boosting domestic wind turbine manufacturing would require showing commitment to the industry through long-term federal policy, said Liz Salerno, [Amercian Wind Energy Association (AWEA0] director of industry data and analysis…"