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UDRI gets $120K for wind energy research project

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Staff Report Updated 5:59 PM Monday, March 8, 2010

COLUMBUS — The State Controlling Board on Monday, March 8, approved release of $120,000 for the University of Dayton Research Institute’s work to design and test composite materials for towers to support wind turbines.

The money is from the state’s technology-supporting Third Frontier program.

UDRI is working with Ershigs Inc., a Bellingham, Wash.-based manufacturer of corrosion-resistant products made of fiberglass-reinforced plastics. The project is intended to develop more lightweight materials that can be assembled at the site of wind turbines to make taller towers, without having to transport preassembled, heavier, taller towers to those sites.

WebCore Technologies LLC, Owens Corning, Edison Materials Technology Center and others are also working on the project.

The work could boost Ohio’s development of alternative energy sources and encourage wind industry investment, said state Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, who announced the grant.

UDRI officials said the money will provide operating funds for their research. The state has also designated the UDRI project to receive $150,000 in capital funding for the project.

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