TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
Wind Science and Engineering
Research Center
Annual Report 2010
www.depts.ttu.edu/weweb
(Back of cover – do not print)
2
The Wind Science and Engineering (WiSE) Research Center at Texas Tech University is
world-renowned for conducting innovative research in the areas of wind energy, wind hazard
mitigation, wind-induced damage, severe storms, and wind-related economics.
The WiSE Center also offers the only doctoral program in Wind Science and Engineering in
the nation. The WiSE Center’s comprehensive and multidisciplinary program aspires to
exploit useful qualities of wind and to mitigate its detrimental effects.
If you are concerned about wind- related issues, you’ve come to the right place.
WiSE celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2010, and continues to provide an inclusive multidisciplinary environment which encourages faculty and students to cross traditional
discipline boundaries to conduct wind-related research and educational activities.
WiSE maintains participation from 48 faculty affiliates originating from 17 different
academic departments. Seventeen Ph.D. students are currently enrolled in the program, and
numerous other graduate students are supported in other departments. WiSE also maintains
a unique suite of technical capabilities and facilities including a 200 m instrumented tower
located on a 67-acre field site, a 61 station regional network of weather stations, and two
mobile research radars.
The Center continued to expand its research activities in 2010 with new competitive awards
from various funding agencies including the National Science Foundation and the
Department of Energy. Additionally, the Center has engaged with numerous private industry
partners to conduct sponsored research and partner to pursue competitive funding.
With Texas leading the nation in wind power capacity, and WiSE located in the heart of the
development region, we look forward to continued opportunities to significantly and
positively impact society through innovative research, education and outreach focused on all
things wind.
John L. Schroeder
Director, Wind Science and Engineering Research Center (WiSE)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. 2010 HIGHLIGHTS
1
II. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
•
•
•
15
Grantsmanship
Scholarship
Dissertations Completed
15
22
28
III. McDONALD-MEHTA LECTURE SERIES
31
IV. OUTREACH
• Print and On-Line Media
• TV/Radio
• Tours
32
33
33
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I. 2010 HIGHLIGHTS
The Wind Science and Engineering Research Center (WiSE) at Texas Tech University (TTU)
had a successful 2010. A few highlights include:
•
WiSE had 20 students in the WiSE Ph.D. program during 2010; three students completed
their Ph.D. studies in 2010.
•
Dr. John Schroeder became the Director for WiSE, while Dr. Andy Swift became the
Director of the Texas Wind Energy Institute. (See Figure 1.)
Figure 1 – Dr. John Schroeder (right) is now the Director of WiSE. Dr. Andy Swift (left), the
former WiSE Director, moved to University College to head the Texas Wind Energy Institute.
7
•
21 funded proposals for wind-related research were active in 2010 totaling more than
$9.7 million; seven proposals totaling over $1.2 million are pending or were not funded.
•
(Left) - Alstom Power, the National Institute
for Energy (NIRE), and Texas Tech
University jointly worked to deploy Alstom’s
first wind turbine in North America at the
Reese Technology Center. Alstom Power,
NIRE, and Texas Tech University also
entered into a long term R&D partnership that
will deliver benefits to the wind power market
in Texas and across North America.
•
DOE awarded a Short-Term Wind Forecasting project led by AWS Truepower. Drs. John
Schroeder and Brian Ancell from WiSE are co-investigators on the plan.
•
Texas Tech University is the lead organization on a DOE Mid-Size Wind Turbine
Development project. Carter Wind and General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies are
collaborators, with Drs. Stephen Ekwaro-Osire, Doug Smith, Jennifer Rice, Stephen
Bayne, and Qing Hui participating from Texas Tech University. The project aims to
adapt a turbine featuring two blades with plans to compete on cost with fossil fuel power
generation.
•
Governor Rick Perry announced that TTU would receive $8.4 million from the Texas
Emerging Technology Fund (ETF). TTU and its wind research organizations would
receive $6.4 million of the total award, with the remaining $2 million used to support
NIRE, a non-profit organization founded by TTU and focused on the development of
wind farms across the state. (See Figure 2.)
8
Figure 2 – Texas
Governor Rick Perry
at a news conference
announcing the ETF
funding for wind
energy and wind
research.
Figure 3 – Members of the TTU VORTEX2 team, along with co-collaborators from the
University of Michigan, pose in front of the Ka-band Radar truck for a portrait upon their
return to Lubbock. (VORTEX stands for Verification of the Origins of Rotation of Tornadoes
Experiment. See next page for more info.)
9
•
Nearly 20 faculty and graduate students from TTU plus some students from University of
Michigan participated in the second season of the VORTEX2 field campaign. VORTEX2
is the largest tornado field study in the history of weather research. The project was
sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (VORTEX stands for the Verification of the
Origins of Rotation of Tornadoes Experiment.)
Figure 4 – (L-R) Drs. John Schroeder and Chris Weiss, along with Jerry Guynes,
relax upon their return to Lubbock at the end of the VORTEX2 project.
•
WiSE celebrated its 40th Anniversary in May (1970-2010), and held a celebratory
weekend when there was a large attendance of graduates, former and retired faculty, and
others who attended the event held May 7-8. WiSE has more than 250 graduates from its
program, and plays a national role in wind science and engineering. It has also played a
notable contribution in elevating the academic profile of TTU.
10
Figure 5 – The original WiSE Founders’ Circle: (L-R): Drs. Kishor Mehta, Scott Norville,
Jim McDonald, Richard Peterson, Ernst Kiesling, and Don Haragan. Missing is Dr. Joe
Minor who was unable to attend the event.
•
WiSE faculty affiliates authored 14 articles published in refereed journals and books and
53 presentations and/or publications in proceedings of conferences. (See pages 16-21 for
details.)
11
•
The West Texas Mesonet (WTM) expanded to include 61 stations covering 41 counties
in Texas. Additional stations are planned in the near future.
Figure 6 –West Texas Mesonet
station number 60 is pictured here
and located at Pine Springs,
Texas. The photo is looking west
at El Capitan on the left (at 8100
feet) and Guadalupe Peak (at
8751 feet - the highest point in
Texas).
•
The West Texas Mesonet’s website (www.mesonet.ttu.edu) continues to gain new
visitors with hits reaching a new record 216,000 per day in 2010.
.
Figure 7 – The map of the growing West
Texas Mesonet network showing the
location of each station including the
newest station in South Texas. (See inset
box.)
Source:
http://www.mesonet.ttu.edu/site_info.html
12
•
WiSE now has 24 mobile StickNet probes. These units are 2.5 m observing platforms
designed for rapid deployment to collect high-resolution meteorological data from
thunderstorms and hurricanes. In 2010, the StickNets played a significant role of the
second year of VORTEX2.
Figure 8 – An array of
StickNets stand ready for
testing.
(Photo: Ian Giammanco.)
•
The National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) headquarters, located within the WiSE
Center under the direction of Dr. Ernst Kiesling, had an increase in membership this year.
The NSSA website (www.nssa.cc) has been revised and upgraded.
•
The McDonald-Mehta Lecture series continued with four world-renowned speakers
visiting the TTU Lubbock campus. (See page 25 for further information.)
13
Figure 9– Larry Tanner, Research Associate at WiSE, gives a media interview with visiting
KVUE-TV news crew from Austin.
Figure 10 (right) –
James Waller
(white shirt) sits by
Tom Bennett (blue
shirt) NSSA
President during a
Q/A session at the
annual NSSA
conference held
last May in
Lubbock. NSSA
Executive Director
Dr. Ernst Kiesling
sits towards the
back of the photo in
green shirt.
14
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Grantsmanship
The following is a summary of projects active during all or part of calendar year 2010.
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Texas Wind Energy Institute
Department of Labor/Texas Workforce Commission
$1.4 million
M. Baker, A. Swift
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Great Plains Wind Power Test Facility FY 10-11
U.S. Department of Energy
$1,903,000
S. Basu, S. Bayne, J. Chapman, X Chen, D. De Silva, S. Ekwaro-Osire,
M. Giesselmann, R. McComb, S. Morse, P. Nash, K. Rainwater,
J. Schroeder, L. Song, D. A. Smith, A. Swift, C. Weiss, D. Zuo
Title:
MRI RAPID: Acquisition of a Field Spectroscopy Environmental
Analysis System for the Gulf Oil Spill
National Science Foundation
$192,909
D. Liang, B. Nutter, P. Smith, S. Cox
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Investigating the Structure of Tornadoes and the Near-Tornado
Environment using Mobile High-Frequency Ka-Band Doppler
Radar Technology
National Science Foundation
$355,344
C. Weiss
Sign Tests in the Field and in the Wind Tunnel
International Sign Association and the Outdoor Advertising Association
of America
$35,000
K. Mehta, D. Zuo
Reliability-Based Predictions of Extreme and Fatigue Responses of
Utility-Scale Wind Turbines through Advanced Modeling and
Simulations
National Science Foundation
$259,870
X. Chen
15
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
National Mesonet Pilot Project – West Texas Mesonet
Earth Networks (formerly known as AWS Convergence Technologies
Inc.)
$50,147
J. Schroeder
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Documentation of Hurricane Wind Fields
Risk Management Solutions
$25,000
J. Schroeder
Title:
Hyperspectral Imagery: A New Frontier for Windstorm Damage
Assessment: RET Supplement
National Science Foundation
$10,000
D. Liang, B. Nutter
Investigator(s):
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
2011 Sign Testing (continuation from 2008)
Outdoor Advertising Association of America
$35,000
K. Mehta, D. Zuo
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Midsize Wind Turbine Designed and Manufactured in USA
Department of Energy
$3,000,000
S. Ekwaro-Osire, S. Bayne, Q. Hui, J. Rice, D. Smith
Title:
Enhancing Short-Term Wind Energy Forecasting for Improved
Utility Operations
Department of Energy through AWS Truepower
$852,721
J. Schroeder, B. Ancell
Investigator(s):
Investigator(s):
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Pitch Control Modeling and Analysis for Optimized Wind Turbine
Performance
Windurance
$52,132
J. Rice
Offshore Structure of the Hurricane Boundary Layer
Applied Research Associates
$55,000
J. Schroeder
16
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
SECO Renewable Technology
State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
$162,000
K. Rainwater, J. Schroeder
Title:
Development of a Quantitative Model for Measuring Regional
Economic Resilience to Hurricanes
National Science Foundation
$280,000
D. Liang, B. Ewing
Investigator(s):
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
0-6649 Development of Design Guidelines and Mitigation Strategies
for Wind-Induced Traffic Signal Structure Vibrations
Texas Department of Transportation
$124,708
X. Chen, D. Zuo
Documenting the Engineering-Relevant Aspects of Extreme
Thunderstorm Winds
National Science Foundation
$279,996
J. Schroeder
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Improving Hurricane Wind Speed Estimates at Landfall
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
$102,142
J. Schroeder
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Documentation of Hurricane Wind Fields
State Farm Insurance Companies
$30,000
J. Schroeder
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Predictability and Weather Regimes Along the West Coast
Investigator(s):
Investigator(s):
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
University of Washington/Naval Research Laboratory
$47,712
B. Ancell
Development of a High-Resolution Ensemble Kalman Filter for
Operational Analysis and Short-term Forecasting at the National
Weather Service
University of Washington/NOAA
$27,865
B. Ancell
17
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Development of a Development of Operational Weather Research
and Forecasting Model Ensemble Sensitivity/Data Assimilation
Tools
NOAA
$16,000
B. Ancell
Infinitely Variable Transmission System for Wind Power
Generation
TTU System Commercial Development Grant
$50,000
S. Ekwaro-Osire (PI), Q. Hui, S. Bayne
Note: Other valuable research is ongoing with private industry, but is held confidential due to
contractual agreements.
Other projects that were submitted include the following:
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Methods for Developing Equivalent Models of Large Wind Farms
National Science Foundation
$99,222
J. Chapman, A. Chakrabortty
Title:
Quantify the Number of Jobs in Texas Resulting from the Growth
of the Wind Industry
The Wind Coalition
$108,570
D. De Silva, R. McComb, A. Schiller, A. Swift, R. Walker
Investigator(s):
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
GREAT (Green Renewable Energy and Technology Challenge)
U.S. Department of Commerce
$444,555
J. Schroeder, D. Miller
Title:
Wake Modeling and Wind Farm Layout of Rim Drive Wind
Turbines
National Science Foundation
$208,486
J. Guynes (in collaboration with Florida State University and New
Mexico State University)
Investigator(s):
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
18
Title:
Sponsor:
Amount:
Investigator(s):
Establishing a Small Wind Turbine Lab for Research and
Development
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
$116,185
D. Liang, A. Swift
Figure 11: The large group of different universities who made up the VORTEX2 field
campaign last summer.
19
Figure 12 – Two of the student VORTEX2 team members set up a StickNet to measure
inclement weather. (L-R) WISE Ph.D. candidates Frank Lombardo and Ian Giammanco work
in the field. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Dillingham.)
Figure 13 – Students in the DOE-sponsored “Run on the Wind’ summer camp travel between
one destination and another during their tenure at the week-long workshop.
20
Figure 14 – (Above L-R) U.S. Congressman John Carter (R-TX) visits the WiSE research
facilities at the Reese Technology Center. WiSE Director Dr. John Schroeder is on the right.
Figure 15 – (L-R) Dr.
Jason Lin, vice-president
of Engineering Science,
and Dr. Dail Rowe,
regional manager from
WeatherPredict, listen as
WiSE PhD student Karen
Tarara explains VorTech
to the visitors during
their visit to TTU.
21
SCHOLARSHIP
Refereed Journals
Bruning, E.C., Rust, W.D., MacGorman, D.R., Biggerstaff, M.I., and T.J. Schurr (2010).
Formation of Charge Structures in a Supercell. Monthly Weather Review 138 (10) 37403761, 10.1175/2010MWR3160.1.
Chen, X. and G. Huang (2010). Estimation of Probabilistic Extreme Wind Load Effects:
Combination of Aerodynamic and Wind Climate Data. Journal of Engineering
Mechanics, ASCE, 136. (6), 1-14.
De Silva, D.G., McComb, R.P., Moh, Y-K, Schiller, A., and J. Andres (2010). The Effect of
Migration on Wages: Evidence from a Natural Experiment. American Economic Review
100 (2): 321-326.
Ekwaro-Osire, S., and F. Karpat. (2010). Examining Gear Design for Increased Reliability.
North American Windpower 7:94 & 96.
Giammanco, I., Schroeder, J.L., and M. D. Powell (2010). Observed Characteristics of
Tropical Cyclone Vertical Wind Profiles. Wind and Structure. Accepted for publication.
Hu, Y., Parameswaran, S., Tan, J., Dharmarathne, S., Marathe, N., Chen, Z., Grife, R., and A.
Swift (2010). Computing Turbulent Far-Wake Development Behind a Wind Turbine With
and Without Swirl. Wind and Structure. (In review.)
Kareem, A. and X. Chen (2010). Discussion on Equivalent Static Wind Loads on Long-Span
Roof Structures. Journal of Structural Engineering 136 (2), 231.
Karpat, F., and S. Ekwaro-Osire (2010). Influence of Tip Relief Modification on the Wear of
Spur Gears with Asymmetric Teeth. Tribology and Lubrication Technology 66 (6), 50-+.
Lui, C., Rainwater, K., and L. Song (2010). Determinations and Analyses of Energy
Efficiency in Reverse Osmosis Desalination Processes. Submitted to Journal of
Membrane Science.
McComb, R., and A. Schiller (2010). Does More Investment Make Paychecks Greener in
Wind Power? Submitted to Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. (In
review.)
Schiller, A. (2010). The Impact of a Storm Surge on Business Establishments in the Houston
MSA. Natural Hazards 56.1, 331-346.
Skinner, P.S., Weiss, C., Schroeder, J., Wicker, L.J., and M.I. Biggerstaff (2010). Observations
of the Surface Boundary Structure Within the 23 May 2007 Perryton, Texas, Supercell.
Monthly Weather Review. Accepted for publication.
22
Storm, B. and S. Basu (2010). The WRF Model Forecast-Derived-Wind Shear Climatology
over the United States Great Plains. Energies 3 (2): 258-276.
Thompson, M., Ewing, B.T., and J.B. Kruse (2010). Measuring the Regional Economic
Response to Hurricane Katrina. CESifo Forum 11(2), 80-85.
Presentations and Proceedings
Chapman, J. (2010). Integrated Wind-Water Desalination Systems for Inland Municipalities.
Corpus Christi, TX: South Central Membrane Association Spring Conference, February
22-24. Presentation.
Chapman, J. (2010). University Research: Drivers, Issues and Needs for Wind Energy
Systems. Washington, D.C.: ACORE ReTech, February 3-5. Presentation.
Charboneau, B.R. and C.C. Weiss (2010). Thermodynamic and Kinematic Analysis of
Supercells Using High Resolution in situ Data from Texas Tech StickNet Instrument
Systems. Denver, CO: 25th Conference on Severe Local Storms, November 11-14. Paper
8A.3. Preprints.
Chen, X. (2010). Assessment of Probabilistic Wind-Induced Extreme Response for Reliabilityand Performance-based Structural Design. Changsha, Hunan: International Symposium
on Life-Cycle Performance of Bridges and Structures, June 27-29. Proceedings.
Chen, X., Marathe, N., Dharmarthne, S., Hu, Y., and S. Parameswaran (2010). Review of
Wind Turbine Wake Studies in the Past Five Years. Submitted to 13th International
Conference on Wind Engineering.
De-Silva, D., and A. Schiller (2010). Wind Economics and Green Energy. Portland, OR:
Western Economic Association, June 29-July 3. Proceedings.
Durakan, I., Ekwaro-Osire, S., and F. Alemayehu (2010). Energy Storage System for Wind
Turbine. Vancouver, Canada: ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and
Exposition, November 12-18. Proceedings.
Ekwaro-Osire, S., Durukan, I., and F. Alemayehu (2010). Experimental and Probabilistic
Analysis of Asymmetric Gear Tooth. Indianapolis, IN: SEM Annual Conference and
Exposition, June 7-9. Proceedings.
Ekwaro-Osire, S., Stroud, A., Jang, T., Durukan, I., Alemayehu, F., Swift, A., and J. Chapman
(2010). Gear with Asymmetric Teeth for Use in Wind Turbines. Indianapolis, IN: SEM
Annual Conference and Exposition, June 7-9. Proceedings.
23
Giammanco, I. and J. Schroeder (2010). WSR-88D Observations of Tropical Cyclone LowLevel Wind Maxima. Lubbock, TX: Lubbock Severe Weather Conference, February 18.
Presentation.
Giammanco, I. and J. Schroeder (2010). Observations of Tropical Cyclone Low-Level Wind
Maxima. Miami, FL: Hurricane Research Division Collaboration meeting, July 8-10.
Presentation.
Giammanco, I., Schroeder, J., Powell, M.D., and D. Smith (2010). WSR-88D Observations of
Hurricane Boundary Layer Vertical Wind Profiles at Landfall. Marco Island, FL: 2nd
Annual AAWE Workshop, August 18-20. Proceedings and presentation.
Giesselmann, M., Vollmer, T.T., and L. Altgilbers (2010). Modular Compact HV-Capacitor
Charger. Atlanta, GA: IEEE International Power Modulator and High Voltage
Conference, May 23-27. Proceedings.
Gong, K., and X. Chen (2010). Influence of Translation Model on Modeling and Simulation of
non-Guassian Stochastic Processes. Submitted to 13th International Conference on Wind
Engineering.
Grandall, J., et al., (2010). Development of Level 2 Products for the EUMETSAT Meteosat
Third Generation (MTG) Lightning Imager Mission. Cordoba, Spain: EUMETSAT
Conference, September 20-24. Proceedings.
Gunter, W., and J. Schroeder (2010). Shear Features within a Convective Rainband of
Hurricane Francis. Lubbock, TX: Lubbock Severe Weather Conference, February 18.
Presentation.
Haq, S., and D. Pati (2010). Evidence-Based Design in Beginning Architectural Design: Some
Lessons from an Academic Studio. Washington, D.C.: 41st Annual EDRA Conference,
June 2-6. Proceedings and presentation.
Hirth, B. (Presenter and Author), and J. Schroeder (Author only) (2010). Examination of the
Coastal Transition Zone of Hurricane Frances (2004). Marco Island, FL: 2nd Annual
AAWE Workshop, August 18-20. Proceedings.
Hu, Y. (2010). Wake Development Behind a Wind Turbine.. Chapel Hill, NC: 5th International
Symposium on Computational Wind Engineering, May 28-29. Presentation.
Karpat, F. and S. Ekwaro-Osire (2010). Efficiency of the High Contact Ratio Involute Spur
Gears with Asymmetric Teeth. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: 2010 ASME
International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, November 12–18.
Proceedings.
Kiesling, E. (2010). Extreme Weather Safety on Wind Farms. Austin, TX: Wind Power Health
and Safety Workshop, American Wind Energy Association, October 26. Presentation.
24
Kuhlman, K., Kingfield, D., Stano, G., Bruning, E., Barnowski, B., and C. Siewart (2010). Use
and Evaluation of Lightning Data Within the 2010 Experimental Warning Program and
GOESR Proving Ground. Denver, CO: 25th Conference on Severe Local Storms,
November 11-14. Proceedings.
Lawson, K. and S. Bayne (2010). Transience Analysis of SiC MOSFET Switches. Atlanta,
GA: IEEE Power Modulator and High Voltage Conference, May 23-27. Proceedings.
Masters, F.J., Gurley, K.R., Coulbourne, W.L., Biggerstaff, M., Knupp, K., Levitan, M.,
Kennedy, A., Wurman, J., and J. Schroeder (2010). The Digital Hurricane Consortium:
An Adaptive Mesonet to Monitor Wind, Surge, Wave and Rainfall Intensities and Damage
at Landfall. Orlando, FL: ASCE Structures Congress, May 13-15. Presentation and
proceedings.
Matia, G., Krompholz, H., Vollmer, T., Neuber, A., Giesselmann, M., and M. Kristiansen
(2010). Characterization of a 50 J Linear Transformer Driver. Atlanta, GA: IEEE
International Power Modulator and High Voltage Conference, May 23-27. Proceedings.
McNeill, J., and D. Zuo (2010). Low-Level Characterization and Implications for Wind
Turbine Inflow Simulation. Submitted to 13th International Conference on Wind
Engineering.
McNeill, J., and D. Zuo (2010). Inhomogenous non-Gaussian Low-Level Jet Simulation:
Implications for Wind Turbine Fatigue Loads. Submitted to WINDPOWER 2011
Conference and Exhibition.
Mehta, K. (2010). Development of the EF-Scale. Norman, OK: Severe Storm Conference,
March 1-2. Presentation.
Mehta, K. (2010). Wind Loads of ASCE-7-05. Austin, TX: University of Texas STEER
Annual Conference, March 4. Presentation.
Mehta, K. (2010). New Frontiers in Research and Education in Wind Engineering. Tokyo,
Japan: Tokyo Polytechnic University Annual Advisory Group meeting, March 7-11.
Presentation.
Mehta, K. (2010). Wind Load History: ANSI A58.1-1972 to ASCE 7-05. Orlando, FL: ASCE
Structures Congress, May 13-15. Proceedings.
Mehta, K., Swift, A.H.P., Walker, R.P. and K.L. Seger (2010). Development of Work Force
for Wind Energy. Chapel Hill, NC: ASME 4th International Conference on Energy
Sustainability, May 20. Presentation.
Mehta, K. (2010). Research Needs for Tornado Design. Chapel Hill, NC: 5th International
Symposium on Computational Wind Engineering, May 28-29. Presentation.
25
Mehta, K. (2010). Wind Engineering Research at Texas Tech University. Marco Island, FL:
American Association of Wind Engineering Workshop, August 18-20. Presentation.
Mehta, K. (2010). Wind Loads: A Contrast Between Bridges and Low Buildings. Columbus,
OH: Ohio State University, invited seminar, September 31-October 1. Presentation.
Mehta, K. (2010). Development of EF Scale for Intensities of Tornadoes. Ames, IA: Iowa
State University invited seminar, November 15-17. Presentation.
Metzger, R.S., and C.C. Weiss (2010). An Examination of the Vertical Structure of Two
Tornadoes Using Ka-Band Mobile Doppler Radar. Denver, CO: 25th Conference on
Severe Local Storms, November 11-14. Paper 16A.6. Preprints.
Nash, P. (2010). Higher Education Initiative (sustainable energy resources). Rapid City, SD:
Ports to Plains Corridor meeting. Sept 13. Presentation.
Patil, K., Maxwell, T., Bayne, S. and R. Gale (2010). Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing of GM
Two-Mode Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Boulder, CO: 12th IEEE Control and Modeling for
Power Electronics workshop, June 28-30. Proceedings.
Rainwater, K. (2010). Municipal demonstration of a wind-powered RO System. South Padre
Island, TX: South Central Membrane Association 2010 Annual Conference, September
28. Presentation.
Reinhart, A.E., Weiss, C.C., and D.C. Powell (2010). Verification of Supercell Cold Pools in
High-Resolution WRF Simulations using StickNet in situ Data. Denver, CO: 25th
Conference on Severe Local Storms, November 11-14. Paper 8A.5. Preprints.
Schricker, T., Bayne, S., Giesselmann, M., O’Brien, H., and C. Scozie (2010). High Action
Comparison of Silicon and Silicon Carbide Super Gate Turn-off Thyristors. Bethesda,
MD: 13th Annual Directed Energy Symposium, November 15-19. Proceedings.
Schroeder, J. (2010). Texas Tech University Hurricane Research. Norman, OK: Digital
Hurricane Consortium, June 28. Presentation.
Skinner, P. (Presenter and Author), Weiss, C. (Author only), Reinhart, A. E. (Author only),
Gunter, W. (Author only), Schroeder, J. (Author only) and J. Guynes (Author only)
(2010). TTUKa Mobile Doppler Radar Observations of Near-Surface Circulations in
VORTEX2. Denver, CO: 25th Severe Local Storms Conference, November 11-14.
Proceedings and presentation.
Skinner, P., Weiss, C.C., Markowski, P.M. and Y.P. Richardson (2010). Intercomparison
Between Mobile and Stationary Surface Observing Platforms in VORTEX2. Denver, CO:
25th Conference on Severe Local Storms, November 11-14. Paper P5.1. Preprints.
26
Song, L. (2010). Energy analysis and cost minimization of RO desalination processes. South
Padre Island, TX: South Central Membrane Association 2010 Annual Conference,
September 28. Presentation.
Sutton, V. (2010). A Wind Energy Ethic. Houston, TX: 1st Texas Offshore Wind Energy
Roundtable (TOWER) Conference, October 19-22. Presentation.
Sutton, V. (2010). Native Americans, Cultural Relativism and Energy Technologies. Phoenix,
AZ: Tribal Energy Conference, March 25-26. Presentation.
Walker, R., Mehta, K., Swift, A., and K. Seger (2010). Development of Workforce for
Industry. Phoenix, AZ: ASME 2010 4th International Conference on Energy Sustainability,
May 17-22. ES2010-90348: 20 A. Presentation.
Weiss, C.C. (2010). Highlights from the Texas Tech Ka-band Mobile Doppler Radar and
StickNet Data Collection During VORTEX2. Denver, CO: 25th Conference on Severe
Local Storms, November 11-14. Paper 5.5. Preprints.
Womble, A., Schroeder, J., Smith, D., Liang, D., Brown, T.M., and K. Mehta (2010).
Imagery-Based Wind Damage Functions. Orlando, FL: ASCE Structures Congress, May
13-15. Presentation and proceedings.
Zeigler, C.L., Biggerstaff, M.I., Wicker, L.J., Brugess, D.W., Mansell, E.R., Schwartz, C.M.,
Markwoski, P., Richardson, Y.P., and C.C. Weiss (2010). Storm Structure and Decay
Process of the 9 June 2009 Greensburg, KS Supercell during VORTEX2. Denver, CO: 25th
Conference on Severe Local Storms, November 11-14. Paper 7A.2. Preprints,
Zeiglar, C.L., Mansell, E.R., and E. C. Bruning (2010). Impact of Varying CCN
Concentration on the Precipitation Processes of a Simulated Convective Storm. Portland,
OR: 13th Conference on Cloud Physics, June 28-July 2. Proceedings.
27
DISSERTATIONS COMPLETED
Examining Strong Winds from a Time-Varying Perspective
Kirsten D. Orwig, Ph.D. (2010).
ABSTRACT:
Scientists and engineers have been modeling the wind for decades through the use of
laboratory simulations and numerical models due to the difficulty, impracticality, and expense
associated with taking full-scale measurements. The boundary layer wind tunnels they
frequently use operate on the neutral stability assumption. As such, the turbulence
characteristics are dominated by mechanical forcing through frictional interaction with the
Earth's (or tunnel's) surface. Therefore, winds should exhibit similar characteristics if the
surface roughness is the same. This assumption simplifies the system and allows for scientists
and engineers to easily scale the wind and model it in a controlled environment.
Wind is a part of the complex, nonlinear atmospheric system and is inherently
nonstationary (i.e. transient). Therefore, the aforementioned assumptions can invariably result
in the misrepresentation and/or loss in understanding of the true physical nature of the wind.
As a result, systematic biases may be introduced into the process (e.g. modeling or analysis),
affecting the perceived structural interactions, responses, and efficiencies.
To address these issues, the Synoptic Wind And Thunderstorm Hurricane (SWATH)
field experiment was conducted to collect high temporal and spatial resolution data of various
strong wind events. The data collected from Hurricane Katrina, a thunderstorm outflow,
strong surface low, and pre-frontal environments will be analyzed utilizing time-varying
techniques derived from the Hilbert-Huang Transform. Commonly used empirical models and
statistical methods will be evaluated and modifications presented. An in-depth comparison
between events will also be discussed.
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An Observational Study of Tropical Cyclone LowLevel Wind Maxima
Ian M. Giammanco, Ph.D. (2010)
ABSTRACT:
Over the last decade, substantial improvements have been made in one’s ability to
observe the tropical cyclone boundary layer. Mean wind profiles computed from GPS
dropwindsonde data have shown a “jet-like” wind speed maximum located near 500 m above
ground level; however measurements from individual GPS dropwindsondes (GPS sondes)
exhibit variability. Tropical cyclone low-level wind maxima represent a source of momentum
available for vertical transport; however little is known regarding their characteristics over
open ocean conditions or at landfall.
In order to thoroughly characterize low-level wind maxima, over 1080 GPS sondes
were employed. The National Weather Service’s network of Doppler radar systems was used
to examine vertical wind profiles at landfall. Velocity azimuth display wind profiles were
derived in order to evaluate the structure and evolution of the boundary layer wind profile at
landfall. These data were processed to investigate low-level wind maxima as well to separate
the influence of turbulence from quasi-steady low-level jet features described in previous
studies.
Analysis of the GPS sonde dataset revealed a decrease in the height of the wind
maximum with radius and mean boundary layer wind speed. An azimuthal dependence was
also observed as the left-front storm-relative sector contained the lowest mean wind
maximum. Low-level jet features were observed within more than half of all GPS sondes their
mean and variance mirrored the statistics associated with low-level wind maxima.
Logarithmic and power law profiles were also found to perform quite well for composite
vertical wind profiles.
The use of velocity azimuth display (VAD) wind profiles proved to be effective in
resolving the boundary layer wind vertical wind profile. The height of the wind maximum was
found to be radially and azimuthally dependent. Persistent low-level jet features were
identified primarily within the off-shore flow regime. The passage of rainbands was also
found to influence the vertical wind profile. Log and power law profiles also performed well
for VAD derived wind profiles.
29
Development of a Statistical Relationship between Ground-Based
and Remotely-Sensed Damage in Windstorms
Tanya M. Brown, Ph.D. (2010)
ABSTRACT:
With rapid growth in technology, new methods of wind engineering research are
being explored and new tools are being utilized. In the past, ground-based surveys of
windstorm damage were frequently performed with the aid of aerial photographs in some
cases. Researchers have recently begun using remote-sensing data such as digitized satellite,
aerial, and LIDAR imagery to assess damage following natural and man-made disasters, in
addition to, or instead of employing the older method of walking house-to-house for surveys.
This research investigates the relationship between the windstorm damage states of
residential structures observed at ground level and those observed from space using remotesensing data. The ground-based datasets utilized in this research include georeferenced digital
photographs from VIEWSTM from the coastal counties of Mississippi following Hurricane
Katrina and from Madison County, TN, following the “Super Tuesday” tornado outbreak of
February, 2008. The remote-sensing datasets include Pictometry (15 cm spatial resolution)
and NOAA (37 cm spatial resolution) aerial images captured after Hurricane Katrina, and
QuickBird (61 cm spatial resolution) and WorldView 1 (50 cm spatial resolution) satellite
imagery captured following the Super Tuesday tornado event.
Ground-based damage states were rated by the “Degree of Damage” (DOD) according
to the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Remotely-sensed damage states were rated by Womble’s
Remote-Sensing (RS) Damage Scale. Numerous single variable regression models using
various datasets and various statistical transformations were used to parameterize models in
which the remotely-sensed damage state was used as a model input to predict the ground level
damage state. Several of these models were then validated using additional data. Multiple
linear regression models using statistical transformations were also fitted and some were
selected for validation. These models used the remote-sensing damage state and imagery
spatial resolution both as model inputs to predict the ground level damage state.
Recommendations are provided to aid in selecting the appropriate model for use in future
damage studies.
30
THE McDONALD-MEHTA LECTURE SERIES
This successful lecture series continued with the following expert speakers:
o
o
o
o
Tim P. Marshall, P.E., meteorologist and engineer for Haag Engineering
Dr. Ed DeMeo, president, Renewable Energy Consulting Experts, Inc.
Dr. Robert M. Banta, Earth System Research Laboratory at NOAA
Dr. Yukio Tamura, professor, Tokyo Polytechnic University (TPU), Director,
TPU Global Centers of Excellence Program
Tim P. Marshall,
P.E., meteorologist
and engineer for
Haag Engineering.
Dr. Edgar DeMeo,
president, Renewable
Energy Consulting
Services, Inc.
Dr. Robert M. Banta,
Earth System Research
Laboratory at National
Oceanographic and
Atmospheric
Administration.
Dr. Yukio Tamura,
professor, Tokyo
Polytechnic
University (TPU)
and director of TPU
Global Centers of
Excellence Program.
Figure 16 – (L-R) Drs. Kishor
Mehta, Horn Professor, and Jim
McDonald, professor, who are the
founders of the McDonald-Mehta
Lecture Series.
31
OUTREACH
Print and On-Line Media
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VORTEX2 was a special focus on the Weather Channel’s on-line resource – both
Tanya Brown (WiSE PhD, August 2010) and WiSE PhD student Patrick Skinner cowrote a live blog on the site throughout the six-week NSF-funded project.
WiSE research facilities were featured in Popular Science in a special “Top Five List
of the Coolest Lab Sites in the US” – TTU was one of five labs featured.
Dr. Ernst Kiesling was featured in an article on storm shelters in the Wall Street
Journal in print and on-line.
VORTEX2 was featured on the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of WeatherWiSE (the only US
magazine devoted to weather).
High Plains and Midwest Ag Journal covered the TTU/Pantex wind farm feasibility
project.
Ian Giammanco (WiSE PhD, Aug 2010) was featured in an article on wind
engineering in TTU’s newspaper, The Daily Toreador.
Severe Weather Awareness Day 2010 was featured in the March 3 edition of The
Daily Toreador, both on-line and print, and Dr. John Schroeder was interviewed by
KCBD-TV on this topic.
Severe Weather Awareness Day 2010 was featured in the TTU-run website, Tech
Impressions.
A joint project between TTU and Pantex was featured at Innovations Report website.
TTU’s renewable energy resources were featured on the Environmental Protection:
The Solution Resource for Managing Air, Water, Energy and Waste Issues website.
Numerous projects and research areas were featured in both the print version and the
on-line version of Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Dr. John Schroeder was interviewed by AGCO Farm Equipment magazine regarding
severe weather.
Reporter-News Abilene covered the Emerging Technology Fund news conference
concerning new funding of renewable energy research at TTU.
TTU and the National Renewable Energy Institute were covered by the North
American Windpower website.
WiSE Ph.D. students Tanya Brown and Rich Krupar III were interviewed by the
Omaha World-Herald in reference to the VORTEX2 project.
The WiSE website was the most common avenue for people to get information about
the WiSE program.
32
TV/Radio
•
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•
WiSE faculty and research made regular coverage on both Texas and national TV and
radio stations, including KVUE-TV (Austin), KCBD-TV (Lubbock), KOHM-FM
(Lubbock), KJTV-TV (Lubbock), and KRBC-TV (Abilene).
National Geographic TV came and filmed Dr. Darryl James and Dr. Chris Weiss on
the topic of the VORTECH simulator at the WISE research facilities.
Dr. Chris Weiss was interviewed on the subject of tornadoes by the Illinois Farm
Bureau Radio Network.
Figure 17 – Lubbock Mayor Tom Martin stands beside Horn Professor and WiSE faculty
member Dr. Kishor Mehta at the Severe Weather Conference last February held in Lubbock.
Tours
There were fifteen tours hosted at the WiSE research facilities at the Reese Technology
Center, including media tours, regional middle school and high school students, and various
dignitaries. Tours included the following:
o DOE/NREL
o The Bridge of Lubbock
o Alstom Power
o U.S. Congressman John Carter
o Leadership Texas
o Dr. Mohammed Ahsan Siddiqui
o WeatherPredict
o Hale Center High School
o FM Global
o Muleshoe High School Science Club
o State Farm
o TTU Marketing and Communication Department
o Texas Workforce Commission
33
Figure 18 – (Above) WiSE Ph.D. student Richard P. Walker teaches a class on the basics of
wind energy at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) last summer.
34
35
Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, Texas Tech University,
Box 41023, Lubbock,
36 Texas 79409
Tel: 806-742-3476 – Web: www.depts.ttu.edu/wewebs