A local wind energy manufacturer has snagged $7 million in federal stimulus funding to help jump-start its business. Astraeus Wind Energy Inc. won the largest grant among five Michigan companies that received a total of $15.5 million Wednesday.

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Michigan may be the first state to use stimulus funds to help small manufacturers diversify into advanced manufacturing of renewable-energy systems and components. Astraeus Wind Energy received a share of the $15.5 million awarded by the state.

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Astraeus Wind Energy Inc. is close to finalizing two major steps needed to bring its pilot program for carbon fiber wind turbine blades to market. The joint venture between Sterling Heights-based MAG Industrial Automation Systems Inc. and Eaton Rapids-based Dowding Machining Inc. is close to finalizing a deal to license a new turbine blade design from a major wind turbine component manufacturer.

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Astraeus Wind Energy Inc. will receive $7 million to manufacture large-scale, advanced-composite wind turbine blades and components.

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Dowding Machining is working with MAG Industrial Automation Systems to improve the manufacturing process for wind turbine components. According to excerpts from the article:

The Lansing, Mich.-based venture, dubbed Astraeus from the Greek mythological "father of the four winds," will use a unique new machine design to dramatically reduce the production times of turbine hubs, the large castings to which the blades are attached, to about four hours — a process that now typically takes 20 to 24 hours on the best production lines.

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