The need for U.S. energy independence and economic security, coupled with the search for lower impact power sources, is driving demand for clean, alternative energy solutions like wind energy.

In order to meet increased demand for wind energy solutions, especially at utility scale, superior materials and automated manufacturing are required. Astraeus through collaboration with MAG Industrial Automation Systems can bring MAG composite skills and experience from the automated aircraft carbon fiber manufacturing industry to the Wind industry. Astraeus has recently obtained $7 million in federal funding to begin addressing the need for lower costs and better solutions for the wind energy industry with a focus on low cost machining of hubs. The additional funding requested will allow Astraeus to expand and accelerate the scope of the original federally funded project beyond automation methods for hub machining helping to address the entire rotor system including composite blades, an area of primary failure in today's market.

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Dow, MAG and Astraeus to Advance Wind Industry Technologies

The Dow Chemical Company, Astraeus Wind Energy Inc. and MAG Industrial Automation Systems (MAG) announced a project that will be a catalyst for the advancement of the wind industry enabled by funding from the state of Michigan.

Astraeus founder featured among area entrepreneurs

The Lansing State Journal recently asked some of Greater Lansing’s entrepreneurs what the region can do to help businesses be more successful. Jeff Metts, president of Dowding Machining and Astraeus, was featured as one of Lansing’s successful entrepreneurs and asked to give some of his own insight on business.

Granholm Announces New Centers of Energy Excellence Project

URV USA, a subsidiary of a Finnish supplier of cast-iron wind turbine components, will collaborate with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to support a foundry in Eaton Rapids to develop a next-generation casting process to produce large, utility-scale wind turbine components. Astraeus Wind Energy has already committed to purchasing a large portion of URV USA’s initial output to fulfill existing and projected orders for machining large, utility-scale hubs and bedplates.

Energy's New Class of Innovators

Dowding Industries didn't need to witness the collapse of GM and Chrysler before deciding the time was right to exit the automotive sector. For more than a decade, the family-run manufacturer had witnessed the sinking of too many links within the auto supply chain.

Wind turbine firm to create 100 jobs in Eaton Rapids

A Rochester company expects to create 100 clean energy jobs in the next 1 1/2 years in Eaton Rapids. URV USA LLC was awarded a $3.5 million grant and $500,000 loan from federal stimulus funds to create a foundry that would produce castings for wind turbine components. The foundry will be located next to the Astraeus Wind Energy Inc. complex in Eaton Rapids, Schauer said. It will supply Astraeus.

Eaton Rapids energy company gets $6 million state grant

A local wind energy manufacturer and its partners have received a $6 million state grant to develop advanced wind turbine blade components. Astraeus Wind Energy Inc. was awarded the grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s Centers of Energy Excellence program.

Granholm: Michigan Best in World for Wind Manufacturing

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm highlighted the work of Astraes Wind Energy in her weekly radio address, which focused on the state's potential to be a hub of the wind energy manufacturing industry.

Funding for wind hub machining cell

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers' Manufacturing Engineering magazine featured the award of a $7 million grant to Astraes Wind Energy to develop its revolutionary wind hub machining cell for high-volume manufacturing.

Good news on horizon for county

St. Clair County is taking steps toward its stated goal of pursuing the alternative energy industry,  Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Doug Alexander said. Astraeus Wind Energy  will be awarded a $7 million grant from the state to design, engineer and prototype production of windmill parts. Much of that money could be spent in Port Huron.

Eaton Rapids company awarded $7M grant

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.