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Hydro power combined with wind power?
The electric grid in Muskegon and Ottawa counties is attractive due to the Ludington Pumped Storage Power Plant and the 345 kV transmission lines that serve it, including a possible point of interconnection at the B.C. Cobb coal plant in Muskegon. An offshore wind farm could be utilized to recharge the giant “battery” that is the Pumped Storage Plant—the energy produced by the offshore wind turbines could supply the off- peak power required to fill the plant’s water reservoir.
The plant and the offshore wind farm could combine to deliver renewable, baseload energy to the grid. This concept has been the basis for an offshore wind development by Scandia Wind Offshore’s Norwegian partner, Havgul Clean Energy. This complementary energy model would require agreements between the two projects, and such agreements do not exist today.
The 345 kV transmission lines and Ludington Pumped Storage Power Plant are unique technical features of the proposed site. The proximity of the grid infrastructure, enormous storage plant, and major load centers would significantly enhance the efficiency of producing power from an offshore wind farm.
Ludington: 345 kV Transmission Lines
Proximity to major load centers (heavy energy consumption areas – Detroit, Chicago)
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