Government > Departments > Planning & Environment > Strategic Planning > Washtenaw Wind Power
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Quick Facts

  • The Washtenaw Wind Project is currently conducting an investment grade wind study to test the  feasibility of developing wind power in Washtenaw County.
  • An 80 meter meteorological tower was raised at Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds in May of 2008. The tower will study wind characteristics for 12-18 months.
  • The Project was initiated as a resolution from the County Board of Commissioners to study the potential to develop wind and other renewable energy resources on April 15, 2006.
  • There are many people who have contributed time and effort to make the project possible. The primary project partners are Chrysler, LLC, The University of Michigan, The City of Ann Arbor, and Washtenaw County.
  • The project cost approximately $70,000 to initiate. Through contributions by the Chrysler Corporation and resale of the tower and equipment at the end of the study, the total public cost of the project will be around $15,000.
  • Raw wind data will be publicly available on this website monthly. Our consultants will also be providing quarterly reports which explain how the wind is looking for development potential.
1st Quarter 2009 Report
The 1st Quarter 2009 report summarizing the wind data from the Met Tower at the Chrysler Proving Grounds during the June 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 period is now available on the Met Tower Data Reports page. [more]
May 18, 2009 4:34 pm

Quarterly Reports
The 3rd Quarter 2008 and 4th Quarter 2008 reports summarizing the wind data from the Met Tower at the Chrysler Proving Grounds during the June 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008 period and the June 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008 period are [more]
February 27, 2009 2:15 pm

Meteorological Tower Raised!
I am very happy to report that our Meteorological Tower is now standing and recording data at the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Sylvan Township south of Chelsea. Every day, a data logger will transmit packets of information to us that contain all [more]
May 8, 2008 2:10 pm

Media Event
While we weren't able to raise the tower, we still had a very successful media kick-off event. I recently got great pictures back from the event from the photographers at Chrysler. Below are some of the highlights. Unfortunately, weather still [more]
April 1, 2008 12:37 pm

Chrysler Joins the Project
Chrysler, LLC has agreed to partner with the Washtenaw County to test the wind for the potential to develop wind power. With this partnership, Chrysler has agreed to pay for half the cost of the meteorolgical tower, as well as host [more]
February 13, 2008 3:39 pm