Grand challenges in the science of wind energy
Journal article, 2019

Harvested by advanced technical systems honed over decades of research and development, wind energy has become a mainstream energy resource. However, continued innovation is needed to realize the potential of wind to serve the global demand for clean energy. Here, we outline three interdependent, cross-disciplinary grand challenges underpinning this research endeavor. The first is the need for a deeper understanding of the physics of atmospheric flow in the critical zone of plant operation. The second involves science and engineering of the largest dynamic, rotating machines in the world. The third encompasses optimization and control of fleets of wind plants working synergistically within the electricity grid. Addressing these challenges could enable wind power to provide as much as half of our global electricity needs and perhaps beyond.

wind energy, challanges

Author

Paul Veers

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Katherine Dykes

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Eric Lantz

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Stephan Barth

ForWind - Center for Wind Energy Research

Carlo L. Bottasso

Technical University of Munich

Ola Carlson

Swedish Wind Power Technology Center (SWPTC)

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Electric Power Engineering

Andrew Clifton

WindForS - Wind Energy Research Cluster

Johney Green

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Peter Green

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Hannele Holttinen

Recognis Oy

Daniel Laird

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Ville Lehtomäki

Kjeller Vindteknikk Oy

Julie K. Lundquist

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

James Manwell

University of Massachusetts

Melinda Marquis

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Charles Meneveau

Johns Hopkins University

Patrick Moriarty

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Xabier Munduate

National Renewable Energy Center of Spain

Michael Muskulus

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Jonathan Naughton

University of Wyoming

Lucy Pao

University of Colorado at Boulder

Joshua Paquette

Sandia National Laboratories

Joachim Peinke

ForWind - Center for Wind Energy Research

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

Amy Robertson

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Javier Sanz Rodrigo

National Renewable Energy Center of Spain

Science

0036-8075 (ISSN) 1095-9203 (eISSN)

Vol. 336 6464 eaau2027

Vindkraftteknik - kunskapsuppbyggnad och utveckling

Region Västra Götaland (RUN 612-0969-14), 2015-01-01 -- 2018-12-31.

Subject Categories

Energy Engineering

Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

Areas of Advance

Energy

DOI

10.1126/science.aau2027

PubMed

31601706

More information

Latest update

3/21/2023