WindSTAR and GRAPES: An NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Center Webinar (2018)
WindSTAR, a National Science Foundation and industry funded research center, brings the innovative research capabilities of leading universities to develop high-impact solutions to key wind-energy industry challenges. WindSTAR provides a platform for public agencies and companies to cost-effectively collaborate on shared, pre-competitive research topics by leveraging R&D investment to access world class facilities, faculty, and graduate students. Their goal is to decrease cost and increase reliability at all stages of wind power plant development: component fabrication, array design, operations and maintenance.
WindSTAR’s membership is diverse across the wind energy supply chain, including wind farm owner and operators; turbine, blade and tower manufacturers; material suppliers; condition monitoring & control electronics manufacturers; actuator technology developers; and other organizations with a stake in the growth of the wind energy market. Their priorities drive the research agenda, and train the next generation of wind industry innovators.
Grid-connected Advanced Power Electronics Systems (GRAPES) seeks to accelerate the adoption and insertion of power electronics into the electric grid in order to improve system stability, flexibility, robustness, and economy. They hope to accomplish their mission by focusing on developing new technologies for advanced power electronic systems in the areas supporting grid connected distributed energy resources, power steering and routing devices, and intelligent load-side devices; developing the software and tools for controlling embedded- and grid-connected power electronics to benefit the grid as well as controlled loads; and educating engineers who understand the power electronic technologies important to the member companies.
GRAPES currently has 17 industrial and government members. The center is interested in exploring grid modernization, the muscle behind the smart grid, microgrids, and solid-state protection and power routing.
This webinar provided insights into WindSTAR and GRAPES’s operations, funding, intellectual property, project selection, and management.
Copyright & Disclaimer
UIDP materials, which include publications, webinars, videos, and presentations, reflect an amalgamation of the experiences and knowledge of those who participate in UIDP activities. The views and opinions expressed in UIDP materials do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any individual organization or the UIDP. At no time should any UIDP materials be used as a replacement for an individual organization’s policy, procedures, or legal counsel. UIDP is not a lobbying organization, and UIDP materials are not intended to be used to influence government decisions.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of UIDP.
Additional written permission may be granted to members, nonmembers, and/or participants in certain UIDP events. Additional permissions can be found in the UIDP materials to which they pertain.
For permission requests, write to UIDP at: 6156 St. Andrews Rd., Suite 207, Columbia, SC 29212.
Copyright © 2018 by University Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP)
