The University of Michigan has offered the city of Ann Arbor to fund a backed wind turbine and in return, they will have the right to collect information about wind energy.

U-M and the city of Ann Arbor are polishing the details of their agreement where U-M will help fund the wind turbine project of the city according to officials. Last March, Ann Arbor received a $951,500 grant for its energy needs so that it can construct a wind turbine within the city or nearby.

Roger Fraser, Ann Arbor City Administrator said about U-M researchers, “They want a platform that is local and that could be a practical research tool.”

General Electric (GE) has communicated their interest to join the partnership according to Fraser. GE said that they are willing to invest $100M in Van Buren township research facility where engineers will work on researches on technologies including wind turbines.

The U-M Dean of the College of Engineering, David Munson said that the University has a strong interest in doing business with Ann Arbor on the wind turbine project.

Fraser said that the city originally planned to place a wind turbine near the on the northwest side of the city, near a water treatment plant. However, since there were issues about land accessibility, it did not push through. The city officials have yet to choose  a location and a supplier for the turbine. If they choose to build the turbine in another municipality, city officials will have to coordinate with the municipal partner for an ordinance on wind generator.

This partnership will happen after three years when the Ann Arbor City Council approved the energy goals that are directed to generate 30% of the renewable energy sources by 2010. By 2015, the city also aims to reduce carbon emissions to 20% below 2000 levels by 2015.

Find an Ann Arbor Alternative Energy in the Directory of Ann Arbor, MI.