Colloquium: March 4, 2008, 3:00 pm,EN6085A

BP Wind Energy Research Center - Birth, Vision, and Opportunities

Wind Energy is currently the fastest growing domestic energy source.  The Department of Energy (DOE) and the President have set a goal to provide 20% of the domestic electricity supply from wind by 2030.  To accomplish this, advances in reliability and efficiency of wind turbines as well as solutions to the challenges in siting turbines offshore are needed.  A better understanding of unsteady aerodynamics, dynamics and control, wind inflow and wind forecasting are all needed if this ambitious vision is to be realized.

Due to these pressing needs and enabled by a generous gift from BP America, the BP Wind Energy Research Center has been created within the College of Engineering and Applied Science.  The center is closely affiliated with the School for Energy Resources.  The creation of the Center and the vision of the founding members are presented, and opportunities in wind energy are discussed.