SEMINAR: MPO Special Seminar:Prof. Ruiz-Columbie and Prof. Castillo, Friday, September 7th, at 3:00 p.m., MSC 343

[Sandrine Apelbaum <sapelbaum@rsmas.miami.edu>]

MPO Special Seminar

Professor Arquimedes (Archie) Ruiz-Columbie

Texas Tech University

"The First Bachelor of Science Degree in Wind Energy in the US"

Abstract: A new Bachelor of Science Degree in Wind Energy at Texas Tech University (TTU) began lectures in the Fall of 2011).  It is designed to prepare the students for admission into a graduate program in wind energy, and/or employment as a professional in wind energy.  The program integrates the environmental, social, economic, ethical, technical, scientific principles and practical skills the graduates need in order to success as professionals in their field of expertise.

This degree provides a multidisciplinary education in the wind energy field through the study of subjects as wind meteorology, wind power generation, wind resource assessment, sustainable energy systems, utility systems operations, and fiscal and operational oversight.  Students are prepared to contribute in areas that include planning, development, operations, analysis and supervision of wind energy systems and projects, as well as to continue in graduate studies.   Following the Texas Tech Uniform Undergraduate Degree Requirement Act, the major in Wind Energy  includes 47 hours of general education courses from the TTU academic core, 18 hours of junior/senior level electives, and 55 hours of coursework in wind energy topics.  A minor of 18 hours is also provided at TTU for those students with a different major who might decide to get a higher education in wind energy.

"Wind Resources off the Coast of Miami: Preliminary Results"

Abstract: Using data from Buoy Station FWYF1 (Fowey Rocks, FL; 25°35'26" N 80°5'49" W) a preliminary assessment of wind resources off the coast of Miami was created utilizing two wind resource software packages.  The results seem to indicate abundant sustainable resources in the region.

 

Professor Luciano Castillo 

National Wind Resource Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 

Texas Tech University

"The Role of Turbulence in Wind Energy: From Single Blade to Array"

Abstract: Although wind turbines have been well studied from a blade aerodynamics perspective, the interactions among these massive structures and the atmospheric turbulent boundary layer (ATBL) are still not understood in detail. It is important to understand such interactions in order to maximize the energy that can be extracted from the available wind resource. Past investigations have determined that wind turbines that operate within an array can display a significant power generation loss, when compared to a freestanding wind turbine. Thus, their ability to extract kinetic energy from the flow decreases due to complex interactions among them, the terrain topography and the atmospheric boundary layer. 

In order to improve the understanding of the vertical transport of momentum and kinetic energy across a boundary layer flow with wind turbines, wind-tunnel experiments were performed to include: a single wind turbine blade, a single wind turbine and a scaled down wind array. The boundary layer flow includes a 3 X 3 array of model wind turbines. Particle-image-velocity measurements in a volume surrounding a target wind turbine are used to compute mean velocity and turbulence properties averaged on horizontal planes. The impact of vertical transport of kinetic energy due to turbulence and mean flow correlations is quantified. It is found that the fluxes of kinetic energy associated with the Reynolds shear stresses are of the same order of magnitude as the power extracted by the wind turbines, highlighting the importance of vertical transport of turbulence in the boundary layer and thus in wind farms.  Moreover, the streamtube is visualized in a single wind turbine in order to gain insight into the flow and to test the axisymmetric assumption used for the calculation of the induction factor. Results show that the streamtube is indeed close to axisymmetric, but exhibits some slight distortions due to strong tower effects and shear from the wall.

Room: MSC 343

Date: Friday, September 7 at 3:00 p.m.

Sandrine Apelbaum

Meteorology and Physical Oceanography 
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
University of Miami
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149-1098
Tel     (305) 421-4057
Fax     (305) 421-4696

sapelbaum@rsmas.miami.edu