Aging Ocean Tower May Be Used as Energy Lab

A rusty 48-year-old tower standing in the Atlantic Ocean may soon get a makeover for modern energy. The one-time lighthouse even may accommodate energy researchers and staff for overnight stays.

Officials at the U.S. Department of Energy want to retrofit the Chesapeake Light Tower -- located 13 miles off Virginia Beach, Va. -- for basic research into harvesting electricity from gigantic offshore wind turbines. The tower would be equipped with instruments for measuring the wind 100 meters (328 feet) above the surface of the sea, which is the typical height of ocean turbines.

Good measurements will encourage funding for offshore wind power, said Will Shaw, a researcher at the Pacific Nor…
Continue reading...

More About: clean energy, renewable energy