Wind
Overview
Wind power involves converting the kinetic energy of moving air into another form of energy. Modern wind turbines are usually installed in large clusters, delivering significant electrical power into distribution grids. In favourable locations wind power offers great promise as a source of clean, renewable energy.
Wind is an intermittent energy source and as such it will benefit greatly from technology advancements in grid energy storage. In addition, the consistency of wind power that can be delivered to the grid will improve as the wind farm network expands.
Wind energy varies not only at a regional level, but also locally due to airflow around topographical features. In collaboration with Suzlon Energy Australia, Dr Todd Lane and Associate Professor Kevin Walsh (School of Earth Sciences) are applying their meteorological expertise to ‘wind prospecting’ in regions of complex terrain. Using very high-resolution weather forecasting models they hope to be able to pinpoint the best locations for individual wind turbines.
Additional research efforts include using fluid dynamics models and meteorological observations to validate empirical algorithms used for wind energy assessments.
Wind is an intermittent energy source and as such it will benefit greatly from technology advancements in grid energy storage. In addition, the consistency of wind power that can be delivered to the grid will improve as the wind farm network expands.
Wind energy varies not only at a regional level, but also locally due to airflow around topographical features. In collaboration with Suzlon Energy Australia, Dr Todd Lane and Associate Professor Kevin Walsh (School of Earth Sciences) are applying their meteorological expertise to ‘wind prospecting’ in regions of complex terrain. Using very high-resolution weather forecasting models they hope to be able to pinpoint the best locations for individual wind turbines.
Additional research efforts include using fluid dynamics models and meteorological observations to validate empirical algorithms used for wind energy assessments.
For more information, please contact Dr Todd Lane
