The University of Texas at Dallas has received continuing federal support for WindSTAR, the Center for Wind Energy Science, Technology and Research, a public-private research partnership designed to develop solutions for energy independence and reliability.
UT Dallas and the University of Massachusetts Lowell run WindSTAR, which recently received a five-year, $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), a supporter of WindSTARsince it was founded in 2014.
The new funding, which provides $250,000 to each university, supports projects that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to minimize manufacturing defects, predict the condition of turbine components, forecast wind conditions, and develop robust and resilient wind energy systems.
WindSTAR is an NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) that aims to generate breakthrough research by facilitating collaboration between industry innovators, academic researchers and government agencies. It is part of UTD Wind, the Wind Energy Center at UT Dallas, which is dedicated to advancing wind energy science and engineering.
“This support from the National Science Foundation enables us to continue our work to strengthen the resiliency of the energy grid,” said Dr. Mario Rotea, UTD Wind director, WindSTAR site director, and professor of mechanical engineering in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. “Investments in WindSTAR enhance our ability to innovate new technologies to ensure greater reliability of our energy systems.”
The IUCRC has completed 79 projects for industrial members that include digital models to assess performance, measurement campaigns, control systems, materials processing and manufacturing for blades and towers.
“WindSTAR has created a direct pipeline between our graduate research and industry needs,” said Dr. Edward White, professor and department head of mechanical engineering and Jonsson School Chair. “More than 25 graduate students have gained invaluable experience working with industrial partners, and many have secured positions with WindSTAR member companies after graduation. This partnership is a model for how university research can be workforce development for the energy sector.”
More info: wind.utdallas.edu/research/windstar/
