For more information, please contact:
SCRA
Jill Hirsekorn
843.760.3329
jill.hirsekorn@scra.org:
SC Launch! Contributes to Clemson University’s
South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies Wind-Power Project
COLUMBIA, SC, June 04, 2007 -- SC Launch!, an SCRA collaboration, announced a $15,000 grant to the South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies (SCIES) at Clemson University toward its South Carolina Wind for Schools demonstration project. The project will investigate the feasibility of using wind power to generate commercially viable electricity along Waties Island, an undeveloped Horry County, South Carolina barrier island. Clemson University has teamed up with Coastal Carolina University and Santee Cooper to conduct a one year study of the wind conditions at Waties Island.
Three wind gauges or anemometers will be installed at 30, 40 and 50 meter increments on a mobile 160-foot tower on Waties Island this summer. The tower will also be equipped with wind direction, barometric, temperature and solar sensors. Students from Clemson University and Coastal Carolina University will monitor the data collected from the Waties Island Anemometer Station for one year.
“This project is not only educational, but creates awareness for the use of wind power along the South Carolina coast as a precursor to future, offshore wind development,” said Nick Rigas, SCIES Director. “We hope this initiative helps set the stage for South Carolina to serve as the industry hub for offshore wind development along the Atlantic Coast,” he said.
“We are pleased to partner with SCIES on the Wind for Schools demonstration project,” said Bill Mahoney, SCRA President and SC Launch! Acting President. “SC Launch! strongly supports alternative energy demonstration projects within the state, as well as pre-company and university projects in new technologies that will strengthen South Carolina’s Knowledge Economy,” he said.
Partners in the Wind for Schools project include Santee Cooper, Clemson University and SCIES. About SCIES: The South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies (SCIES) is a state-chartered research and development organization housed at Clemson University. SCIES' mission is to develop South Carolina's clean and indigenous energy resources in order to promote economic development, energy security and improve the quality of life for its citizens through research, development, technology transfer, education and contributing to national energy issues in areas of excellence. |
About SC Launch!: SC Launch!, an SCRA collaboration, accelerates entrepreneurial growth of technology start-ups by delivering key tools for success, creating high-paying jobs and building equity in the future for all South Carolina. For more information, please visit www.sclaunch.org.
About SCRA: SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with offices in Anderson, Charleston, and Columbia, South Carolina. SCRA collaborates to advance technology. SCRA provides technology-based solutions with assured outcomes to industry and government, and with the help of research universities like Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina. For more information please visit www.scra.org
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