Offshore Wind Wire

An offshore wind research buoy recently removed from Lake Michigan performed exceptionally well and yielded a treasure trove of information for researchers to sift through, according to Grand Valley State University officials.

The research buoy utilized a laser wind sensor to capture wind speed and direction at varying heights, while other components of the buoy collected data on more than 100 factors. The buoy was designed and manufactured by AXYS technologies, and featured a Vindicator laser wind instrument by Catch the Wind.

Arn Boezaart, director of GVSU’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, would not divulge specifics, but did say that the initial results indicate that the wind quality seemed to improve the farther out in the lake the buoy went and higher up the laser measured, according to the Muskegon Chronicle. “Out on the lake, we found more wind and it was more robust,” Boezaart told the Chronicle, “The farther out in the lake and the higher up you go, the more wind we found and winds of better quality.”

Dr. Lorry Wagner, President of the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo), was intrigued by the study and impressed with the capabilities and sturdiness of the buoy. “Everyone in the Great Lakes wind community is very impressed by GVSU’s accomplishment and excited to learn more about the data collected by the buoy” said Dr. Wagner, “Hopefully we can get it (the buoy) to Lake Erie next.”