High-tech research buoy gathers lots of offshore wind data, but future funding is uncertain

Lindsey Smith — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:47:42 +0000

An 8-ton research buoy that’s been floating around Lake Michigan collecting detailed data about wind conditions offshore has been brought back on land for the winter. With the mild winter the buoy stayed about four miles offshore for twice as long as researchers expected; 58 days instead of 30.

Turning data over to researchers

Arn Boezaart heads the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center that’s operating the buoy from Muskegon. He’s been able to see 10 minute averages of wind conditions in real time. But now that the buoy is back on land, he’s got data cards with wind data for every second the buoy was out there; plus data on bats and birds that flew by.

“I literally keep looking at this plastic bag in my brief case with this data card sitting in it and thinking ‘people don’t realize how valuable this is,” Boezaart said. “I sort of feel like I’m carrying gold bars in my case here. This is really first of its kind data.”

Business incubator in Muskegon celebrating success story

Lindsey Smith — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:33:28 +0000

An entrepreneur in Muskegon has outgrown the business incubator where his company began.

Smart Vision Lights reopened at its new location this week after more than three years at the incubator. The company develops LED lighting systems for manufacturing companies who want to take quality control photos.

Michigan Alternative & Reneable Energy Center

High-tech research buoy gathers lots of offshore wind data, but future funding is uncertain

Business incubator in Muskegon celebrating success story