This is a past event.

Husky Bites presents Special Guest Fernando Ponta

Richard and Elizabeth Henes Professor (Wind Energy), Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Michigan Technological University

Co-host

Apurva Baruah (PhD student)

Topic

Wind has become the major source of renewable energy worldwide. To help continue this trend, Dr. Fernando Ponta and his research team seek to understand the detailed physics behind the wind-turbine's system–from the rotor structure and aerodynamics to turbine control and drivetrain electromechanics. Over a period of years, they have developed a novel aeroelastic model for optimizing the rotor blades used in "smart" turbines and the collective control strategies of mega wind farms. Their tool, now being applied by Sandia National Labs for the study of the advanced light-weight rotors of their NRT project, provides a complete picture of how a wind turbine behaves under various conditions, and can be used to design blades and simulate the interaction of multiple wind turbine wakes in a wind farm—particularly, the thousands of meters long wakes of the utility-scale megawatt turbines of today, and the super-turbines of tomorrow. Joining in will be one of Dr. Ponta’s PhD students, Apurva Baruah. He’s also a member of the crew of Dr. Ponta’s J-80 sailboat, the Avanti Bianc. “There's no better way to understand the wind,” says Apurva, “than trying to harness its power on sails!”

View the full COE blog post here.

Join us early at 5:45 p.m. for conversation and a weather update.

About Husky Bites

Husky Bites are free Interactive Zoom Webinars from the College of Engineering at Michigan Tech. Time after for Q&A.

Series Host

Janet Callahan
Dean of the College of Engineering
Michigan Technological University

Brain Food

Join us for a bite! Grab some dinner with Dean Janet Callahan and a special guest, and learn something new! This family-friendly event is BYOC (bring your own curiosity). 

When: Mondays, 6:00 p.m. starting January 24 and held weekly through April 4, with a break on March 7.

View Spring 2022 Events