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That whooshing sound could be the start of something electric

Wind into electricity. Sounds nifty and clean. There are issues about what the blades do to flying animals.
Written by Harry Fuller, Contributor

Wind into electricity. Sounds nifty and clean. There are issues about what the blades do to flying animals. Government agencies here and in other countries are staryting to deal with that. But other serious issues have come from the engineering costs and barriers. Now a Nebraska engineering company says they've solved one problem. Getting the towers in place and erected efficiently.

Courtesy Northstar.

Northstar has developed modular towers to support the wind turbines. Because they come in sections, the parts can be transported on regular flatbed trucks, then assembled on site. No oversized loads on freeways or railroads.

Northstar's metal towers also allow wider base diameters than have been possible in past designs, and the tubular construction is light weight while able to support all current turbine designs and accommodate likely future turbine needs. The first towers should be shipped later this year.

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