Upcoming Research Topics in Wind Power Integration

Abstract:  Wind power technology is advancing rapidly: the materials, design methods, and fabrication technologies used to manufacture machines and components of wind plants as well as the whole plants themselves; the operational strategies used to optimize energy capture, maintenance strategies, and power system support capabilities;  and the overall facilitating technologies involved in better siting and integration of wind power into the operation of the power system.  These advances come as the power system itself is experiencing rapid technological evolution due to the wide-scale integration of Information Technology into all phases of grid planning and operation that promise to make the power system more flexible, efficient, and robust.  What research and development opportunities are on the horizon?  How can researchers adapt their investigative techniques to maximize the opportunities to solve the problems of today and tomorrow?  Wind power is positioned to play an increasing role in providing energy to serve load as well as ancillary services to support the operation of the power grid.  This talk will discuss some of the upcoming research topics in wind power integration as seen from the power system operator point of view.

Bio: Bill Henson has been studying and working as a researcher in windpower and windpower related fields for approximately 10 years.  In 2008 Bill joined ISO New England as Senior Engineer in Renewable Resource Integration in order to serve as ISO-NE’s principal investigator for and implement the recommendations developed during the New England Wind Integration Study; as well as to evaluate renewable energy power generation and enabling technologies and to facilitate the cost-effective integration of renewable energy into the New England power system.  Bill holds an International MSc from TU Delft in mechanical engineering and is currently finishing his PhD (in wind power integration) at UMass Amherst.

Date: 
Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 12:30pm
Location: 
Kellogg Rm. E-Lab 2, UMass Amherst
Year: 
2012
Semester: