Trystan Casey
Michigan has about four dozen conventional hydroelectric dams that accounted for about 1% of the state's total generation from all sources in 2023. The state's largest hydroelectric facility by capacity is a pumped-storage plant on the shores of Lake Michigan on the Lower Peninsula. Michigan's Ludington pumped-storage plant has a nameplate generating capacity of about 2,200 megawatts and is one of the ten largest pumped storage power plants in the world. Consumers Energy, which provides electricity to more than six million people in Michigan, currently operates 13 hydroelectric plants along five waterways, enough power to serve about 70,000 customers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hydro electric plants | 13 |
| Hydro electric dams | About four dozen |
| Largest hydro electric facility | Ludington pumped storage plant |
| Location of most power plants | Lower Peninsula |
| Hydro electricity as % of total | 0.3% |
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What You'll Learn
- Consumers Energy operates 13 hydroelectric plants
- Hydroelectric power accounts for 0.3% of Michigan's energy mix
- Michigan's largest hydroelectric facility is the Ludington pumped storage plant
- Hydroelectric plants can operate for decades
- Hunting is allowed near Consumers Energy's Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon river hydro facilities
Consumers Energy operates 13 hydroelectric plants
Consumers Energy has a long history with hydropower, dating back to the construction of the Croton Hydro on the Muskegon River in 1907. Today, the company operates 13 hydroelectric plants, providing electricity to over six million people in Michigan. These plants are located along five waterways and generate enough power to serve approximately 70,000 customers.
Consumers Energy's commitment to hydropower is evident through their investments in upgrading existing hydroelectric facilities. They have also received a production tax credit (PTC) for the Hardy project, which provides a tax credit for each kilowatt-hour of electricity produced by renewable energy sources such as hydropower.
The company's hydroelectric properties are situated amidst rivers and forests, fostering thriving ecosystems. Bats, in particular, are drawn to the cave-like spillways at the dams. Consumers Energy implements a land-use policy that includes a no-hunting rule on their private property, with special provisions for approximately 12,000 acres bordering their Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon River hydro facilities where hunting is permitted.
While Michigan's energy mix consists primarily of natural gas, nuclear power, and coal, hydroelectric power plays a role in the state's energy generation. In 2023, hydroelectric power accounted for 0.3% of the state's total generation from all sources. The state's largest hydroelectric facility by capacity is the Ludington pumped-storage plant on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a nameplate generating capacity of about 2,200 megawatts.
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Hydroelectric power accounts for 0.3% of Michigan's energy mix
Hydroelectric power currently accounts for a very small proportion of Michigan's energy mix, at just 0.3%. This is despite the state having a long history with hydropower, dating back to the Croton Hydro plant built on the Muskegon River in 1907. Today, Michigan has about four dozen conventional hydroelectric dams, with Consumers Energy operating 13 hydroelectric plants along five waterways, providing enough power for around 70,000 customers.
Michigan's largest hydroelectric facility by capacity is a pumped-storage plant on the shores of Lake Michigan. The Ludington pumped storage plant was built in 1973 and has a nameplate generating capacity of about 2,200 megawatts, making it one of the ten largest pumped storage power plants in the world. During periods of low power demand, typically at night, less costly electricity is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir.
While hydroelectric power only accounts for a small portion of Michigan's energy mix, other sources make up a significant proportion. In 2023, natural gas was the leading source of electricity in Michigan, accounting for 44.9% of the state's energy mix. Nuclear power is also a significant contributor, producing around one-quarter of the state's supply, with two active nuclear power plants supplying less than 30% of Michigan's electricity. Coal power is the second-largest source of electricity, although the lower price of natural gas is leading to the closure of many coal plants.
Michigan also has a range of renewable energy sources, including biomass, solar, and wind power. Biomass facilities generate electricity using methane recovered from landfills, and the state also has anaerobic digesters that convert waste into biogas for electricity generation. The state's forests provide feedstock for wood pellet manufacturing plants, which produce pellets used for electricity generation and space heating.
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Michigan's largest hydroelectric facility is the Ludington pumped storage plant
Michigan has about four dozen conventional hydroelectric dams, accounting for about 1% of the state's total generation from all sources in 2023. Michigan's largest hydroelectric facility by capacity is the Ludington pumped storage plant, which opened in 1972. The plant is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, four miles south of Ludington, and is jointly owned by Consumers Energy (51%) and DTE Energy (49%).
The Ludington pumped storage plant was constructed between 1969 and 1973 at a cost of $315 million, and it was the largest pumped storage hydroelectric facility in the world at the time. The plant has a nameplate generating capacity of about 2,200 megawatts, making it one of the ten largest pumped storage power plants in the world. It is also considered a modern marvel, having received the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement award in 1973 from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The Ludington pumped storage plant uses stored water at elevation to function like a battery. During periods of low power demand, usually at night, less costly electricity is used to pump water from Lake Michigan into a large reservoir 363 feet (111 m) above the lake. This reservoir measures over 100 feet deep, covers 840 acres, and can hold 27 billion gallons of water. When electricity demand is high, the water is released from the reservoir, turning large turbines and generating electricity. This electricity is then distributed to homes and businesses across Michigan.
The Ludington pumped storage plant plays a crucial role in Michigan's energy landscape, providing reliable and renewable energy to the state. With a capacity of 1,875 megawatts, it can power a community of 1.4 million people. The plant also contributes to the local community by supporting schools and governments through annual property taxes.
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Hydroelectric plants can operate for decades
Michigan has about four dozen conventional hydroelectric dams that accounted for about 1% of the state's total generation from all sources in 2023. The state's largest hydroelectric facility by capacity is a pumped-storage plant on the shores of Lake Michigan in the Lower Peninsula. This is the Ludington pumped storage plant, which was built in 1973 and has a nameplate generating capacity of about 2,200 megawatts. It is one of the ten largest pumped storage power plants in the world.
The civil engineering infrastructure of hydroelectric plants should also be maintained, and this can last almost indefinitely. The long operational lives of hydroelectric plants make them a very sustainable source of energy. In addition, hydropower systems are low-carbon sources of energy that do not produce any waste or pollution. This makes them a very attractive option for many countries looking to reduce their carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
In addition to their longevity, hydroelectric plants have other advantages that make them attractive sources of energy. They have a very high capacity factor, which means they can produce a lot of energy even when the flow of water is low. This is because the kinetic energy of the water is converted into electrical energy very efficiently. Hydroelectric plants are also very flexible, as they can be used to provide baseload power or peak power. This means they can be used to provide a constant source of power, or they can be used to provide extra power during periods of high demand.
Michigan's hydroelectric plants are an important part of the state's energy mix, which also includes natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, biomass, solar, petroleum, and other gases. In 2023, Michigan had a total summer capacity of 31,120 MW through all of its power plants, and a net generation of 120,656 GWh. The state's energy mix that year was 44.9% natural gas, 21.1% nuclear, 20.6% coal, 7.8% wind, 1.6% biomass, 1.5% solar, 1.2% petroleum, 0.8% other gases, 0.3% hydroelectric, and 0.1% other.
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Hunting is allowed near Consumers Energy's Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon river hydro facilities
Michigan has about four dozen conventional hydroelectric dams, accounting for about 1% of the state's total energy generation from all sources in 2023. The state's largest hydroelectric facility by capacity is a pumped-storage plant on the shores of Lake Michigan in the Lower Peninsula. This plant, built in 1973, has a nameplate generating capacity of about 2,200 megawatts and is one of the ten largest pumped-storage power plants in the world.
Consumers Energy, which operates several hydroelectric facilities in Michigan, has a hunting policy in place that prioritizes the safety of its workers and neighbours. While hunting is generally prohibited on Consumers Energy property, it is allowed on lands encompassing 12,000 acres bordering its Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon River hydroelectric facilities in the northern Lower Peninsula. This exception to the hunting ban addresses the concerns of neighbouring landowners about potential trespassers entering from Consumers Energy's property.
To ensure the safety of employees, neighbours, and anyone near its property, Consumers Energy strictly prohibits certain activities on all its lands, including constructing blinds, target shooting, baiting, burning, and fire pits. Outdoor enthusiasts can visit www.michigan.gov/dnr for suggestions for fall activities at Consumers Energy hydro properties, including the Au Sable, Manistee, and Muskegon rivers.
In addition to hydroelectric power, Michigan's energy mix in 2023 included natural gas (44.9%), nuclear power (21.1%), coal (20.6%), wind (7.8%), biomass (1.6%), solar (1.5%), petroleum (1.2%), and other gases (0.8%).
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Frequently asked questions
There are about four dozen conventional hydroelectric dams in Michigan. Consumers Energy, a company that provides electricity to over six million people in Michigan, operates 13 hydroelectric plants.
In 2023, hydroelectric power accounted for 0.3% of Michigan's total energy generation.
The Ludington pumped storage plant on the shores of Lake Michigan is Michigan's largest hydroelectric facility by capacity. Built in 1973, it has a nameplate generating capacity of about 2,200 megawatts and is one of the ten largest pumped storage power plants in the world.
