Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) today announced two grants from the US Department of Energy (DOE) for new wind energy projects in Ann Arbor. The grants, awarded to the University of Michigan (UM) and the Michigan Aerospace Corporation, total more than $1.1 million. The UM grant, for $413,534, will enable UM to develop new techniques for assessing the impact of wind generation on power system voltage control and transient stability. With its grant of $748,002, Michigan Aerospace Corporation will work to improve turbine reliability, efficiency and operability through use of its direct detection Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology.

“These grants will help create more jobs while further meeting the demands of a growing industry,” said Congressman Dingell. “Maintaining the United States’ competitive edge in the marketplace of alternative energy is a significant step to improving our economy and environment. We are very grateful to the Department of Energy for this investment.”

With the grant from the DOE, UM researchers will study the effects of wind variability on power systems, and develop new techniques for voltage control and transient stability assessment. Along with Detroit Edison engineers, researchers at UM will initially focus on the power system in Michigan’s thumb area to understand the consequences of increased wind generation.

“With this grant, we hope to be able to increase the amount of wind power that can be carried on the grid system, allowing for greater utilization of wind generation. Increased wind generation will lead to new job opportunities in our state, with the additional benefit of reducing harmful greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” said Professor Ian A. Hiskens, the Vennema Professor of Engineering at the University of Michigan.

The Michigan Aerospace Corporation is headquartered in Ann Arbor and will work in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) National Wind Technology Center to apply the company’s advanced, laser-based atmospheric measurement technology to wind turbine control. This includes working with NREL to integrate, test, and optimize Michigan Aerospace’s LIDAR instrument that measures wind speed/direction, temperature, and density at long distances. By measuring winds and other atmospheric properties well in advance of the turbine and integrating those measurements with the turbine’s control system, stresses on the turbine blades and internal components can be significantly reduced. Ultimately, this work is intended to demonstrate that turbine maintenance and repair costs can be reduced, leading to longer lifetimes and more reliable energy output, while also expanding a turbine’s power curve performance. Additionally, with advanced forecasting of wind speed and direction, it is anticipated that energy capture can be increased by optimal turbine pointing.

“DOE’s investment will help us improve two of the most critical areas in wind energy: reducing maintenance costs and increasing efficiency. The most exciting aspect is that this funding opens the door to improving atmospheric measurements and forecasting not only for turbine control, but onshore and offshore site assessment, operational farms, and grid management,” said Michigan Aerospace CEO Peter Tchoryk.

In all, the DOE announced the selection of 28 new wind energy projects around the nation which could receive up to $13.8 million in funding – including $12.8 million in Recovery Act funds.

“Wind energy will be a critical factor in achieving the President’s goals for clean energy, while supporting new jobs,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “While the United States leads the world in wind energy capacity, we have to continue to support research and development as we expand renewable energy deployment.”

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