In late May, GE and Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) of Northern Ohio signed an agreement to develop the first fresh water wind farm in the U.S.. The project is a small step toward LEEDCo’s goal of having 1,000 megawatts in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie by 2020.
The first step in LEEDCo’s phased approach is to use direct-drive wind turbines from GE at its 20 megawatt offshore wind farm off the shores of Lake Erie near Cleveland, Ohio, which is estimated to be completed in 2012. 4-megawatt wind turbines, the largest in GE’s fleet of turbines will be utilized. These wind turbines have been designed specifically for offshore farms.
At the core of the Lake Erie Project is GE’s largest wind turbine, a 4-megawatt machine designed specifically for offshore farms. The 4-megawatt wind turbine features GE’s advanced loads controls and aeroelastically tailored blade technology.
“Ohio's greatest potential for creating wind energy is offshore in Lake Erie, and this partnership marks a significant step forward,” said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland in a statement. “This partnership will not only advance offshore wind technologies, it will also advance Ohio’s economy.”
The project will bring green jobs to the region as well as clean energy. “Offshore wind has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in Ohio and become a major source of economic growth,” said Vic Abate, vice president of GE’s Renewable Energy business. “We look forward to installing our next generation offshore, direct drive wind technology in Lake Erie. GE is committed to working with LEEDCo to achieve its vision of creating an offshore wind sector in Northern Ohio and the Great Lakes region.”
Many groups have looked to put wind farms offshore because of stronger winds over the water and because there is more space available for bigger turbines. But many say that the process is still more expensive compared to farms on land.
GE and LEEDCo said they are looking at options to keep costs low and to make “make offshore wind energy in the Great Lakes economically viable.” GE said its 4 MW wind turbines are one way to bring down costs because its turbines do not use gearboxes, which generally are effected by offshore environments.