Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Simulated photos show turbines off SC coast

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- A photo simulation made as part of a South Carolina utility's research into wind power shows large wind turbines would barely be visible if built eight miles off the state's coast.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that Santee Cooper asked Clemson's South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies to create the simulation as they consider building a wind farm off the Grand Strand.

The simulation shows the turbines looking like small white straws on a clear day if they were built 8 miles off the coast. The turbines all but vanish when the simulation makes it cloudy.

The distance issue is important. More wind is generated away from the beach, but it would cost more to get the power to shore.