2008 Annual Report
“Everything Wind”
SUMMER 2009
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Mission
The Wind Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Center at Texas Tech University
distinguishes itself as an internationally recognized leader in research, education, and knowledge
transfer on the effects of wind on people and the environment.
Vision
The Wind Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Center will continue to perform
advanced and innovative multidisciplinary research to mitigate the deleterious effects of
windstorms on the built environment, people (and their quality of life) and to utilize the
beneficial effects of wind. Through research we provide educational experiences that prepare
students for technical and leadership roles in private practice, industry, government and
academia. We will be the place of choice for interested students, professionals and industry
for wind-related research, education, outreach and community engagement.
The Wind Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Center at Texas Tech University was established
in 1970, following a tornado in Lubbock that caused 26 fatalities and more than $100 million in
damage. Thirty-five years later, more than five thousand MW of wind power facilities has been
developed in the region – with Lubbock situated at the geo-center of development and ranking. Texas
is first in the nation in wind power capacity.
The WISE Center focuses on research, education and information outreach and offers the only doctoral
program in Wind Science and Engineering in the nation. The comprehensive and multidisciplinary
research program aspires to exploit useful qualities of wind and to mitigate its detrimental effects.
The Center offers a multidisciplinary education in wind science and engineering to develop
professionals who are expert in wind-related research leading to the doctorate in Wind Science and
Engineering. The Center develops information on windstorm disaster mitigation, wind power systems
and other wind-related subjects for professionals and the public. The WISE Center has thirty-six
faculty affiliates from twelve academic departments, three research associates, ten professional staff
members, and twenty-one graduate students. Research and education awards totaled more than $3.5
million for calendar year 2008.
The accomplishments and success of the Center through the past year are due entirely to the vision,
dedication, hard work and collaborative spirit of our professional staff, faculty affiliates and students.
It is through these combined efforts and commitment that the Center will continue to be successful in
the future.
Andrew Swift, Sc.D., P.E.
Director
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
HIGHLIGHTS
7
II.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
16
III.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
19
IV.
VISITING SCHOLARS AND DIGNITARIES
26
V.
OUTREACH
27
VI.
PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS
29
A. REFEREED JOURNALS, PROCEEDINGS AND BOOKS B. PROCEEDINGS AND PRESENTATIONS C. REPORTS VII.
29 31 34
PROGRAM AREAS, ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS AND PERSONNEL
35
VIII. THESES/DISSERTATIONS COMPLETED
39
IX.
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED
44
X.
DEPARTMENTAL STATISTICS
48
XI.
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2008
49
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I. HIGHLIGHTS

Thirty-five faculty members from twelve departments were affiliated with the Wind
Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Center during 2008, from the fields of
engineering, atmospheric sciences, economics, mathematics, architecture, and
business.
Figure 1 - Chancellor Kent Hance (left) and TTU President Guy Bailey accept a one
million dollar grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to fund the Texas Wind
Energy Institute.

WISE currently has 21 students in the Ph.D. program, four students who completed
their Ph.D. studies in 2008, and three Research Associates.

The Texas Wind Energy Institute was created through the support of a $1 million
Workforce Investment Act Statewide Activity Fund grant from the Texas Workforce
Commission (TWC). The grant will be used to develop curriculum and to prepare
students to meet the workforce needs of the rapidly growing wind power industry in
Texas. The Texas Wind Energy Institute is a partnership between TTU and Texas
State Technical College (TSTC) and will house the Wind Energy Education program.

Researchers submitted thirty-one wind-related research proposals during the year for a
total of more than $6.2 million in potential funding.

To date, sixteen proposals for wind-related research received funding in 2008 for a
total of more than $3.7 million; six (total: $1,276,977) are pending.
7

Faculty members provided sixteen special presentations and served on twenty-two
professional committees at the local, regional and national levels.

Wind Science and Engineering Center affiliates authored thirty-two articles published
in refereed journals and books, and nineteen publications in proceedings of
conferences.

Texas Tech University’s College of Outreach and Distance Education hosted a short
course in "Introduction to Wind Power Systems: Technology and Economics” in June
(in Lubbock) and in October (in Sweetwater) through the Center. Focused towards
people in government, land owners and others who are interested in learning more
about wind power, the courses attracted 44 participants.
Figure 2 - Copy of the document
that details the proposed Wind
Energy Programs and
Coursework in collaboration with
our partners.
See next page for more details on the Wind Energy Programs and Coursework that is being
currently proposed.
8
Wind Energy Degree Programs in detail:
VISION
To develop workforce through education and training that can provide personnel for the wind
energy industry.
OBJECTIVE
To establish curricula at all levels of higher education which can educate and train people to
work in the wind energy industry including design and construction, maintenance, business,
finance, supervision, management, policy making, environmental impact, as well as research.
APPROACH
It is proposed to develop model curricula for degree programs which can be used by
institutions across the state. Four degree programs are suggested (two are in place) as well as
a graduate certificate program.
1
Two-year program in Wind Energy Technology that trains personnel to operate and
maintain wind turbines and wind power plants. Texas State Technical College West
Texas in Sweetwater has this program in place.
a. Status: There are two Certificates available, a Safety program will be offered
this summer, with both degree and non-degree tracks.
2
Bachelor of Science in University Studies, emphasis in Wind Energy curriculum will
provide multidisciplinary scientific and business background for work in various
facets of the wind energy industry. This curriculum will include general education,
specialty courses in wind energy, and two focus areas related to wind energy.
a. Status: There is a potential opportunity to link wind energy with at least three
other existing and planned undergraduate degree programs at Texas Tech
University.
b. 11/25/08; In progress.
c. WE 1200 offered as first UG course
d. Inquiries to be directed to Rick Walker and/or Kelsey Seger
3
Graduate Certificate in Wind Energy will include 15 hours of graduate-level
coursework. There will be a technical track that is calculus- and physics-based as well
as a managerial track for non-technical professionals.
a. Status: undergoing approval process
b. Inquiries to be directed to Liz Joost
4
Master of Science in Wind Science and Engineering (optional emphasis in Wind
Energy) will be a non-thesis degree and will include advanced coursework in wind
science and engineering related to wind energy. Students with a bachelor’s degree in
engineering or physical sciences will be able to enter this program.
a. Status: In progress
b. Inquiries to be directed to Kelsey Seger
9
5
Ph.D. in Wind Science and Engineering degree includes dissertation research in a
wind energy related area. This degree, approved by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board in 2007, is in place at Texas Tech University.
a. Status: Inquiries to be directed to Kelsey Seger
Figure 3 - Jerry Guynes, stands in front of the Mobile Doppler Radar, a soccer-ball shaped
Radome cover, the equipment used in tornado research as part of a huge multi-disciplinary
multi-university research project.

The first of two state-of-the-art Ka-Band Radar mobile Doppler radar trucks was
finished in 2008, and is now in use in the field. The second is still in progress. (See
Figure 3-5.)
10
Figure 4 – Graphic of Inflow Jet Velocity – the patches of color reflect the speed of the wind
in the atmosphere. (Courtesy of Jerry Guynes.)
Figure 5 – Christmas photo-op of 2008 Ka-Band radar truck with faculty, staff and students
taken at the American Wind Power Museum.
11
Figure 6 - The growing Mesonet network provides information throughout the region now
comprising thirty-seven counties in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, represented by the
online map above.
Source: http://www.mesonet.ttu.edu/site_info.html
The West Texas Mesonet, an array of automatic weather stations throughout the
region, has expanded to fifty-five Mesonet stations in 37 counties located in both
Texas and New Mexico. The network also includes one radar wind profiler, one
acoustic wind profiler, and one upper-air sounding system. The newest station is near
St. Lawrence, Texas. Also, the expanded Mesonet now offers archived data products
in specialized formats available to companies or individuals for purchase, and
averages 41,000 hits per day. For the month of June 2008, the site had 2.133 million
12
hits (av.:71,000 hits/day) with one day in particular receiving nearly 160,000 hits.
Website: www.mesonet.ttu.edu.

Wes Burgett, along with the West Texas Mesonet team members Brian Hirth and Ross
Williamson and Faculty Director Dr. John Shroeder were awarded the 2008 Larry R.
Johnson Special Award from the National Weather Association. This award is
presented to an individual or group to recognize unique events or extraordinary
accomplishments that significantly contributed to operational meteorology. It was
presented at the NWA conference in October 2008. (See figure 7 below.)
Figure 7 - (Left to right) – Wesley Burgett of the West Texas Mesonet; National Weather
Association President John Scala, and Jeffrey Vitale from the National Weather Service in
Lubbock, receive the Larry R. Johnson Award at the 2008 NWA awards banquet in Louisville,
Kentucky.

WISE received an initial $60,000 from the International Sign Association (ISA) and
the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) to determine the wind load
capacity of signs, such as the ones in front of restaurants or gas stations. The research
is being conducted due to changes to the 2006 sign code by the American Society of
Civil Engineers which increased the wind load requirement from previous years.

The construction of twenty-four mobile Stick-Net probes has been completed. The
goal is to have 48 mobile Stick-Nets. These platforms were deployed throughout the
Great Plains by students and faculty from Texas Tech University to collect highresolution meteorological data within super-cell thunderstorms. In 2008, the Stick-
13
Nets were also deployed in Hurricanes Dolly, Gustave and Ike – this represents the
first full-scale hurricane deployments of this observing technology. (See Figure 8.)
Figure 8 - Ian Giammanco, an IGERT Fellow with the WISE program, explains the StickNet
program to visitors. Entirely student-produced, the technology can be set up by two people in
three minutes or less enabling it to be quickly assembled during high-wind events.

National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) headquarters are located within the TTU
Wise Center under the direction of Dr. Ernest Kiesling. NSSA added a Senior
Compliance Officer, Oscar Scott, to oversee shelter installation/building compliance
issues.

There were 63 NSSA members for 2008 in comparison to 53 members in 2007. The
new “Installer Member” category has increased to seven members to date.

South Plains Association of Governments was awarded a Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program to provide rebate for 50% of shelter cost up to a grant of $2,500.

The NSSA worked to get the International Code Council/National Storm Shelter
Association Standard on the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters approved by
the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to offer new guidelines for
community shelters and residential safe rooms. One feature of the new standard
increases minimum wind resistance requirements in the event of rare but strong winds.
14

The NSSA is currently filing to trademark the NSSA logo both in Texas and with the
Federal registration. Finalization of the process is expected to take six to twelve
months.

Ernst Kiesling and Larry Tanner contributed to updates and revisions of the FEMA
320 publication- “Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for your
Home or Small Business” and the FEMA 361 publication - “Design and Construction
Guidance for Community Safe Rooms.”

Larry Tanner served on the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) in studying the
damage of Hurricane Ike.

Thirteen Debris Impact Tests were conducted in collaboration with companies
including Ground Zero, Tugraz, and Lite Tech Wall Systems. The Debris Impact
Testing Facilities staff conducted approximately twelve tours including one for Texas
Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Henry Bonilla and Charlie Stenholm .(See
figure 9 below.)
Figure 9 - WISE faculty, staff and students post with Texas Senator John Cornyn during
his tour of the Reese research facility in October.
15
II. RESEARCH PROJECTS
The following is a summary of projects active during all or part of calendar year 2008. See the
WISE website, http://www.wind.ttu.edu, for links to additional information available online.
Title:
Hyperspectral Imagery: A New Frontier for Windstorm Damage Assessment
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Amount: $203,709
Directors: K. Mehta, D. Liang, B. Nutter
Title:
Investigation of Structures Affected by 2007 Witch Fire
Sponsor: The Institute for Business and Home Safety
Amount: $3,690
Directors: K. Mehta
Title:
Sign Tests in the Field and in the Wind Tunnel
Sponsor: International Sign Association and the Outdoor Advertising Association of
America
Amount: $61,258
Directors: K. Mehta, D. Smith, D. Zuo
Title:
Assessment of Wind Turbine Performance at Schools
Sponsor: State Energy Conservation Office
Amount: $50,000
Directors: A. Swift, J. Chapman
Title:
Texas Wind Energy Institute
Sponsor: Department of Labor/Texas Workforce Commission
Amount: $1.4 million
Directors: S. Basu, J. Chapman, B. Ewing, M. G. Giesselmann, X.L. Gilliam,
McComb, K. Mehta, J. Schroeder, A. Swift, D. Zuo.
R.
Title:
Atmospheric Stability Considerations in Design of Wind Turbines Against
Fatigue
Sponsor: THECB-ARP-2007
Amount: $51,776
Directors: S. Basu
Title:
CAREER: Towards Better Representations of the Nocturnal Low-Level Jets
in New Generation Large-Eddy and Mesoscale Models
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Amount: $124,024
Directors: S. Basu
16
Title:
Understanding, Parameterizing and Modeling the Strongly Stratified
Atmospheric Boundary Layer Processes over the Antartic Plateau
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Amount: $58,502
Directors: S. Basu
Title:
Great Plains Wind Power Test Facility
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy
Amount: $1,968,000
Directors: S. Basu, J. Chapman, X. Chen, D. DeSilva, B. Ewing, M. G. Giesselmann,
X.L. Gilliam, W.A. Jackson, D. James, D. Liang, R, McComb, A.Morse, P.
Nash, K. Rainwater, J. Schroeder, D.A. Smith, A. Swift, C. Weiss,
D. Zuo.
Title:
Assessing Bridge Performance to Extreme Winds with Consideration of NonGaussian Features and System Uncertainties
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Amount: $74,967
Directors: X. Chen
Title:
Limited Management Services
Sponsor: National Storm Shelter Association
Amount: $86,980
Directors: E. Kiesling
Title:
Drag-Force Calculations on a Car-Trailer Assembly Under Cross-Wind
Conditions
Sponsor: Daimler-Chrysler Corp.
Amount: $156,138
Directors: S. Parameswaran
Title:
Documentation of Hurricane Wind-Fields – State Farm
Sponsor: State Farm Insurance
Amount: $29,000
Directors: J. Schroeder
Title:
West Texas Mesonet-File Development
Sponsor: Golden Spread Electric Corp.
Amount: $3,966
Directors: J. Schroeder
Title:
Project VORTEX2: Investigation of Storm-Scale Baroclinity Using Fine-Scale
Observations and Numerical Models
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Amount: $317,261
Directors: C. Weiss
17
Title:
Wind Resource Measurements in Support of Integrated Wind-Water Systems
and Education/Training Applications
Sponsor: State Energy Conservation Office
Amount: $43,500
Directors: J. Chapman, A. Swift, D. Zuo
Figure 10 - The new sign outside one of the research buildings at the Reese Technology
Center.
18
III. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Invited Presentations –
 Basu, S., Ruiz-Columbie, A., and Harshan, S. (2008). “Deriving Monin-Obukhov
similarity functions from dynamic large-eddy simulations,” American Geophysical
Union Fall Meeting, 15-19 December, San Francisco, USA.

DaSilva, D. (2008). “The Effect of Information on the Bidding and Survival of
Entrants in Procurement Auctions,” University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The
Netherlands. March.

Horgan, K. L., and Weiss, C.C. (2008). “The initiation and maintenance of convection
along synoptically-quiescent drylines,” Seventh Annual AMS Student Conference, New
Orleans, LA.

Kiesling, E. (2008). “Hurricane Mitigation: Products, Standards and Incentives,”
Annual Hurricane Conference, Orlando, FL, April 1-2.

Landes, N., Jackson, W.A., and Morse, A. (2008). “The Analysis of a Modified
Membrane-Aerated Biofilm Reactor for Space Flight Applications,” International
Conference on Environmental Systems, Society of Automotive Engineers, San
Francisco, CA.

Liang, D., Mehta, K.C., Nutter, B, and Womble, J.A. (2008). “Development of a
Windstorm Damage Assessment System with Hyperspectral Imaging Technology,” 4th
International Conference on Advances in Wind and Structures AWAS, May 29-31, Jeju,
Korea.

Low, D., Jackson, A., Morse, A., Mosley, T., and Reid, T. (2008). “Selenium Coating
of Water Distribution Tubing to Inhibit Biofilm Formation,” 37th International
Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES), San Francisco, CA.

Skinner, P. S., and Weiss, C.C. (2008). “Observations of storm scale boundary
evolution within the 23 May 2007 Perryton, TX supercell,” 24th Conference on Severe
Local Storms, Savannah, GA, paper 4.3
 Smith, D.A., Womble, J.A. and Lombardo, F.T. (2008). “Defending the Wind – Part 1:
Constructing Probable Wind and Water Damage Timelines,” American Association for
Wind Engineering 2008 Workshop, Vail, CO, Aug. 21-22, (publication and
presentation).

Smith, D.A., Womble, J.A. and Lombardo, F.T. (2008). “Defending the Wind – Part 2:
MythBusters for the Wind/Water Debate,” American Association for Wind Engineering
2008 Workshop, Vail, CO, Aug. 21-22 (publication and presentation).

Smith, D., Womble, J.A., and Lombardo, F.T. (2008). “Constructing Probable Wind
and Water Damage Sequences from Timelines - the Technical Perspective,” ASCE/SEI
Structures Congress, Vancouver, BC, April (publication and presentation).
19
 Weiss, C. C., and Wurman, J. (2008). “Coordinated in-situ and remote sampling of
supercell thunderstorms,” 24th Conference on Severe Local Storms, Savannah,
GA, paper P3.9
 Womble, J.A., Mehta, K.C. and Adams, B.J. (2008). “Remote Sensing of Hurricane
Damage – Part 1: Toward Automated Damage Assessment,” American Association for
Wind Engineering 2008 Workshop, Vail, CO, Aug. 21-22. (publication and
presentation).

Womble, J.A., Mehta, K.C., and Adams, B.J. (2008). “Remote Sensing of Hurricane
Damage – Part 2: Identification of Neighborhood Wind/Water Damage Patterns,”
American Association for Wind Engineering 2008 Workshop, Vail, CO, Aug. 21-22
(publication and presentation).
 Womble, J.A., Adams, B. J., and Smith, D.A. (2008). “Use of Emerging RemoteSensing Technologies to Determine Neighborhood Wind/Water Damage Patterns,”
ASCE/SEI Structures Congress, Vancouver, BC, April (publication and presentation).
 Womble, J.A., Adams, B.J., Ghosh, S., and Friedland, C.J. (2008). “Remote Sensing
and Field Reconnaissance for Rapid Damage Detection in Hurricane Katrina,”
ASCE/SEI Structures Congress, Vancouver, BC, April (publication and presentation).
2. Awards/Recognition



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
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
J. Schroeder and W. Burgett (along with West Texas Mesonet team members Brian
Hirth and Ross Williamson) were awarded the 2008 Larry R. Johnson Award from the
National Weather Association.
C. Weiss was nominated for the Outstanding Professor award by Phi Beta Kappa
M. Beruvides was a Magna Cum Laude member of the National Scholars Honor
Society (2008).
C. Weiss won the fall 2008 Research Enrichment Fund grant competition at TTU.
E. Kiesling testified before the Texas Sub-Committee on Flooding and Evacuation
with regards to an approach to mitigating hurricane damage in Texas.
J. Schroeder drafted a West Texas Mesonet exceptional item request for the state of
Texas.
Former Ph.D. student, Tanveerul Islam, published his dissertation, “Cyclone Wind
Analysis and Disaster Planning” (Publisher: VDM Verlag Dr. Mueller e. K..)
K. Mehta was nominated and accepted for the 2008 Indian National Academy of
Engineering.
3. Faculty members served on the following professional committees:
 ASCE Technical Council on Wind Engineering: A. Womble
 ASCE/EM Dynamics Committee: X. Chen
 ASCE/SEI Wind Effects Committee: X. Chen
20
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ASCE/SEI Tall Buildings Committee: X. Chen
ASME, Wind Energy Technical Committee: A. Swift
C.
Program Co-Chairman for 25th Conference on Severe Local Storms (2010):
Weiss
AMS Scientific and Technological Activities Commission: member of Radar
Meteorology Committee (2007-2010): C. Weiss
Member, ASCE Aerospace Division Committee on Aerodynamics: K. Mehta
American Meteorological Society Radar Committee: C. Weiss
Collegiate Weather Forecast Challenge Coordinating Board: C. Weiss
International Advisory Committee, the Fourth International Conference on Advances
in Wind and Structures (AWAS08): X. Chen
AIAA Life Sciences Technical Committee: W. A. Jackson
International Conference on Environmental Systems Steering Committee:
W.A.
Jackson
American Chemical Society Thematic Program Selection Committee:
W.A.
Jackson
NCF-SBIR Review Panel: W. A. Jackson
4. Consulting Projects
 LNSS and Associates, The Meteorological Events of Hurricane Rita: J. Schroeder
 LNSS and Associates, Preliminary Hurricane Ike Wind Assessment for the Bolívar
Peninsula: J. Schroeder
5. Damage Surveys
 A. Womble visited Galveston Island/Galveston Bay to study Hurricane Ike (October)
 L. Tanner served on the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) in studying the damage
of Hurricane Ike.
6. Debris Impact Testing
 Russel Carter, PSC Consulting (January 25)
 Foreign client demonstration (February 12)
 Japanese film crew (May 7-8)
 Make-a-Wish Foundation (May 15)
 6th grade student class demonstration (June 23)
 Mechanical Engineering faculty (August 15)
 International group demonstration (September 29)
 Senator John Cornyn demonstration (October 2)
 E. Kiesling film crew and demonstration (October 15)
 Congressmen Henry Bonilla and Charlie Stenholm demonstration (October 30)
 KRBC-TV (Abilene, TX) (October 28)
 TTU student demonstration (November 20)
21
Figure 11 –Pat Skinner, an IGERT Fellow, explains the 200 m instrumented tower to measure
wind attributes to a visiting group of JROTC high school students from Amarillo, Texas, at the
Reese Technology Center.
22
Figure 12 - The 200 m instrumented tower that measures different levels of weather:
wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity, and pressure. It has ten different
platforms to measure wind at different heights.
Figure 13 – A close-up view of the instruments used on the
200 m instrumental tower to measure various components
of wind.
23
7. Meeting Participation
Basu, Sukanta
 American Geophysical Union Fall meeting, 15-19 December, San Franciso
 TurbSim & Design Codes Workshop, 22-25 September, organized by National Wind
Technology Center and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Boulder, USA
(participated via internet).
 18th Symposium of Boundary Layers and Turbulence, 9-13 June, Stockholm, Sweden.
 Spring 2008 Workshop, Spatial Forecast Verification Methods Inter-Comparison
Project, 14-15 April, Boulder, USA (participated via internet).
 NSF Day at University of Texas at El Paso, 22 January, El Paso.
 Wind Resource Characterization Workshop, 14-16 January, Broomfield, Colorado.
Chapman, Jamie:
 American Wind Energy Association WindPower 2008, Houston, Texas, June.
DeSilva, Dakshina:
 Southern Economic Association, Washington, D.C., November.
Jackson, W. Andrew:
 International Conference on Environmental Systems, Society of Automotive
Engineers, San Francisco, CA.
James, Darryl
 14th Biennial CSP SolarPACES Symposium, March 4-7, Las Vegas, Nevada.
 61st Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, American Physical Society,
Nov. 23-25, San Antonio, Texas.
 2008 SPE Annual Technical Conference, Sept 21-21, Denver, Colorado.
Kiesling, Ernst
 Hurricane Risk Management Leadership Forum, Orlando, FL.
 First Coast Service Options (Risk Management Depts) Continuity Fest, Jacksonville,
FL.
 Annual Hurricane Conference, Orlando, FL.
McComb, Robert
 ERCOT workshop on Nodal Market 101, Houston, April 8.
 ERCOT workshop on Congestion Revenue Rights, Austin, June 3.
 ERCOT workshop on Nodal 101 for Wind Generation, Austin, August 11.
Mehta, Kishor
 Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Sciences of Texas (TAMEST), Annual
conference, January 10-11.
 National Academy of Engineers meeting, Irvine, CA, February 7.
 TAMEST Renewable Energy Conference, Texas A & M University, March 28-29.
24
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Lone Star Graduate Diversity Colloquium, Texas A & M University, March 28-29.
Natural Hazards Workshop, July 13-16, Boulder, CO.
American Association of Wind Engineering Workshop, August 20-22, Vail, CO.
National Academy of Engineering Annual Meeting, October 4-7, Washington DC.
Schroeder, John
 American Meteorological Society’s 28th Conference on Hurricanes and Tropical
Meteorology, Orlando, FL, 28 April, May 2.
 AMS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, January 19-24.
 Shared Mobile Atmospheric and Teaching (SMART) Radar Meeting, College Station,
TX, February.
 Texas State-Wide Mesonet Meeting, Austin, TX, April.
 Applied Insurance Research Invited Presentation and Meeting, Boston, MA, April
 Planning meetings with STEM Wind, October 10 and November 14.
 Meeting with Jianming Yin of Tokio Marine Technologies, October 15.
Swift, Andy
 University of Texas School of Law Continuing Legal Education workshop, February
19, Austin, TX.
 Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG) and National Renewable Energy Laboratories
workshop, May 7-8, Denver, CO.
 National Renewable Energy Laboratories: Aerodynamic Modeling Workshop,
February 13-14, Denver, CO.
Weiss, Chris
 AMA’s 24th Conference on Severe Local Storms, Savannah, GA, 27-31 October.
 American Meteorological Society 88th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 19-23
January.
25
IV. VISITING SCHOLARS AND DIGNITARIES

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Dr. Jim McDonald, former Chairperson and Professor of Civil Engineering, Texas
Tech University – September.
Dr. Jianming Yin, Senior Vice-President, Tokio Marine Technologies, LLC, Duluth,
Georgia – October.
Dr. Vilas Mujumdar, Program Director, Engineering Research Centers, National
Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia – November.
Professor Qingshan Yang, Biejing Jiaotong University, China, September 9.
Congressmen Henry Bonilla and Charlie Stenholm, Austin, Texas, October 30-31.
Mr. Ronald T. Eguchi, President and CEO of ImagaCat, Inc. (CA).
Professor Qingshan Yang, Biejing Jiaotong University, China.
Dr. Erik L. Peterson, Technical University, Denmark.
Figure 14 – A Vestas Wind turbine located at the American Wind Power Center, Lubbock,
Texas. WISE personnel and museum staff jointly offer workshops with Wind Energy sessions
taught by WISE personnel.
26
V. OUTREACH
1. Tours/Presentations for Schools/Civic Groups
 Thirteen Debris Impact Tests were conducted in collaboration with national and
international companies.
2. Print Media
 Interview with “The Daily Toreador” re: Hurricane Gustav operations – August – J.
Schroeder.
 Texas Tech Today – interview re: hurricane field operations – J. Schroeder.
3. TV/Radio
 The Center generated at least five news releases in 2008 with at least one leading to
coverage outside the region in Jackson, Mississippi. Additionally, there were visits
from two international companies, one television station from Japan, and one
independent British television production company. There was also coverage on
various events from the local media.
4. Online and Phone
 The website was the second most common avenue for people to get information about
the WISE program.
5. Exhibits
 AWEA Wind Power Health and Safety Workshop, Denver, CO – Keith Plantier.
 Lone Star Wind Alliance meeting, Houston, TX – Elizabeth Joost, Andy Swift, Keith
Plantier, Rick Walker.
 The Wind Coalition and TWC meeting, Austin, TX – Elizabeth Joost.
6. Response to Programs Offered by the Texas Wind Energy Institute:
 The most popular program that people inquired about was the Wind Energy
Technician – Certificate I with 129 inquiries.
 The program providing instruction for Wind Energy Technician – Certificate II was
next in popularity with 122 inquiries.
 Twenty-eight people asked for more information about the course “Introduction to
Wind Power Systems: Technology and Economics.”
 The institute received nineteen inquiries linked with the A.A.S. in Wind Energy
Technician.
 There were ten inquiries into the Wind Science and Engineering Ph.D. program
introduced last year.
27
Figure 15 - A pneumatic cannon can launch various types of simulated wind-born debris in a
controlled environment to provide valuable impact-resistance data. Debris-launch speeds of
100 mph simulate a 250-mph tornadic wind speed.
Figure 16 - Technician Shannon Hutchison reviews the damage done by the wind cannon at
the debris Impact demonstration lab at the Reese Technology Center.
28
VI. PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM WISE PROJECTS.
A. REFEREED JOURNALS, PROCEEDINGS, AND BOOKS
Basu, S., Vinuesa, J.-F, and Swift, A. (2008). “Dynamic LES modeling of a diurnal cycle,”
Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 47, 1156-1174.
Beck, J., and Weiss, C.C. (2008). “The effects of thermodynamic variability on low-level
baroclinity and vorticity within numerically simulated supercell thunderstorms,” Preprints,
24th Conference on Severe Local Storms, Savannah, GA, paper 15.4.
Chen, X. (2008). “Analysis of alongwind tall building response to transient nonstationary
winds,” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, 134(5), 782-791.
Chen, X., and Kareem, A. (2008). “Identification of critical structural modes and flutter
derivatives for predicting coupled bridge flutter,” Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial
Aerodynamics, 96(10-11), 1856-1870.
DaSilva, D., Dunne, T., Kankanamge, A., and Kosmopoulou, G. (2008). “The Impact of
Public Information on Bidding in Highway Procurement Auctions,” European Economic
Review, 2008, 52: 150 – 181.
DaSilva, D., Kosomopoulou, G., and Lamarche, C. (2008). “The Effect of Information on the
Bidding and Survival of Entrants in Procurement Auctions,” Forthcoming in the Journal of
Public Economics.
DaSilva, D., Jeitschko, T.D., and Kosmopoulou, G. (2008). “Optimal Bidding Behavior under
Common and Private Values in Auctions with an Unknown Number of Rivals,” Forthcoming
in the Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics.
DaSilva, D., Kruse, J.B. and Wang, Y. (2008). “Spatial Dependencies in Wind-related
Housing Damage,” Natural Hazards (Journal of the International Society for the Prevention
and Mitigation of Natural Hazards), 2008, 47(3): 317-330.
DaSilva, D., Kruse, J.B. and Sutter, D. (2008). “An Economic Analysis of Wind Resistant
Construction,” Forthcoming in the Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics
(The Journal of the International Association for Wind Engineering.)
Dreessen, J. A., and Weiss,C.C. (2008). “Kinematic and thermodynamic variability in the
supercell environment observed using StickNet,” Preprints, 24th Conference on Severe Local
Storms, Savannah, GA, paper P13.3.
Hirth, B., Schroeder, J.L., and Weiss, C. (2008). "Surface Analysis of the Rear-Flank
Downdraft in Two Tornadic Supercells,” Monthly Weather Review, 136, 2344-2363.
29
Holmes, J. D., Hangan, H.M., Schroeder, J.L., Letchford, C.L., and Orwig, K.D. (2008). “A
Forensic Study of the Lubbock-Reese Downdraft of 2002,” Wind and Structures, 11, 137-152.
Hughes, B.T., Berg, J.M., James, D.L., Ibraguimov, A., Liu, S. and Temkin, H. (2008). “A
One-Dimensional Model Capturing the Effects of Surface Charge on Ion Transport in Microand Nanochannels,” Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, Vol. 5, No. 6, pp. 761-764.
Kvanli, D.M., Marisetty, S., Anderson, T.A., Jackson, W.A., and Morse, A.N. (2008).
“Monitoring Estrogen Compounds in Wastewater Recycling Systems,” Water, Air, and Soil
Pollution, 188: 31-40.
Landes, N., Jackson, W.A., and Morse, A. (2008). “Evaluation of a Microgravity Compatible
Membrane Bioreactor for Simultaneous Nitrification/Denitrification.” SAE 2007 Transactions
Journal of Aerospace, 2007-01-3094.
Low, D., Morse, A., and Jackson, A. (2008). “Determining the Effect of Usage and Biota
Upon Oxygen Flux Across Tubular Silicone Membranes.” SAE 2007 Transactions Journal of
Aerospace, 2007-01-3092.
Mehta, K.C. (2008). “ Wind Damage Using Satellite Images and Education Experiment,”
Preprints for the Third International Symposium on Wind Effects on Buildings and Urban
Environment, Tokyo Polytechnic University, Kanagawa, Japan, pp.29 – 38.
Mehta, K.C., Womble, J.A., and Liang, D.(2008). “Use of Satellite Images to Document
Windstorm Damage: A Future Trend?” Journal of Wind Engineering of India, Vol. 5, No.1,
pp. 1–7.
Mishra, A.R., James, D.L. and Letchford, C.W. (2008). “Physical Simulation of a SingleCelled Tornado-Like Vortex, Part B: Wind Loading on a Cubical Model,” J. Wind Eng Ind.
Aero. 96, July 2008, pp. 1258-1273.
Mishra, A.R., James, D.L. and Letchford, C.W. (2008). “Physical Simulation of a SingleCelled Tornado-Like Vortex, Part A: Flow Field Characterization,” J. Wind Eng Ind. Aero.
96, July 2008, pp. 1243-1257.
Morse, A., Khatri, S., and Jackson, W.A. (2008). “Treatment Efficiency and Stoichiometry of
a High Strength Graywater,” Water Environment Research, 79(13):2557-2563.
Lorsolo, S., Schroeder, J.L., Dodge, P., and Marks, F. (2008). “An Observational Study of
Hurricane Boundary Layer Small-Scale Features,” Monthly Weather Review, 136, 2871-2893.
Rogers, J. W., and Weiss, C.C. (2008). “The Association of Cell mergers with Tornado
Occurrence,” Preprints, 24th Conference on Severe Local Storms, Savannah, GA, paper
P3.23.
30
Ruiz, N., Jackson, W.A., and Morse, A. (2008). “Ammonium-nitrogen Loading Rates in a
Microporous Hollow-fiber Membrane,” Habitation - An International Journal for Human
Support Research, 11(4): 203-208.
Schroeder, J. L., and Weiss, C. (2008). “Integrating Research and Education through
Measurement and Analysis,” Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 89, 793-798.
Storm, B., Dudhia, J., Basu, S., Swift, A., and Giammanco, I. (2008). “Evaluation of the
Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model on forecasting low-level jets: Implications
for wind energy,” Wind Energy, 10.1002/we.288.
Storm, B., Dudhia, J., Basu, S., Swift, A., and Giammanco, I. (2008). “Evaluation of the
Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model on forecasting low-level jets: Implications
for wind energy,” Wind Energy, 10.1002/we.288.
Weiss, C. C., and Schroeder, J.L. (2008). “StickNet – A new portable, rapidly-deployable,
surface observing system,” Preprints, 88th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological
Society, New Orleans, LA, paper 4A.1
Weiss, C. C., and Schroeder, J.L., (2008). “The 2007 and 2008 MOBILE Experiment:
Development and testing of the TTU StickNet platforms,” Preprints, 24th Conference on
Severe Local Storms, Savannah, GA, paper 5.1.
Weiss, C. C., and Schroeder, J.L. (2008). “StickNet: A New Portable Rapidly Deployable
Surface Observations System,” Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 89, 15021503.
Wells, M.J.M., Pellegrin, M.-L., Morse, A., Bell, K. and Fono, L.J. (2008). “Emerging
Pollutants,” Water Environment Research, 80(10): 2026-257.
B. PROCEEDINGS AND PRESENTATIONS
Altinas, P.Z., Krifa, M., and Beruvides, M.G. (2008). “A New Approach to Measuring Cotton
Spinnability Limits,” Accepted for publication in Proceedings, Beltwide Cotton Conferences,
National Cotton Council of America, Nashville.
Beruvides, M.G. and Temblador, M.C. (2008). “Leadership styles: A historical perspective,”
Proceedings, ASEM Annual Conferences, CD-ROM, West Point, N.Y.
Beruvides, M.G. and Temblador, M.C. (2008). “A further exploration of technorganic
symbiosis in organizations,” Proceedings, ASEM Annual Conference, CD-ROM, West Point,
N.Y.
31
Calvo, J., and Beruvides, M.G. (2008). “A technical and economic perspective on Single
Walled Carbon Nanotubes bulk fabrication and mass application feasibility,” Proceedings,
ASEM Annual Conference, CD-ROM, West Point, N.Y.
Cantu, J., Krifa, M., and Beruvides, M.G. (2008). “Quantifying Nep Generation In Cotton
Processing,” Proceedings, Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America,
Nashville.
Chui-Wei, C.C., Beruvides, M.G. and Simonton, J.L. (2008). “The Modification of Ecoefficiency Indicators with Embedded Eco-Indicators and Cost of Quality,” Proceedings,
Industrial Engineering Research Conference, Vancouver, Canada,
Chui-Wei, C.W., and Beruvides, M.G. (2008). “Cost of quality economics of green
manufacturing,” Proceedings, ASEM Annual Conference, CD-ROM, West Point, N.Y.
Cordero, E., Beruvides, M.G., and Klashnikov, V. (2008). “Mixed duopolies and the welfare
to the society: A systems approach to the economics of duopolie.,” Proceedings, ASEM
Annual Conference, CD-ROM, West Point, N.Y.
DaSilva, D. (2008). “The Effect of Information on the Bidding and Survival of Entrants in
Procurement Auctions,” March, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Diver, R.B., Siegel, N.P., Miller, J.E., Moss, T.A., Stuecker, J. N. and James, D.L. (2008).
“Development of a CR5 Solar Thermochemical Heat Engine Prototype.” Presented at the
2008 14th Biennial CSP SolarPACES Symposium, March 4-7, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Fernandez, V.F., Ghosh, P., and James, D.L. (2008). “Thermodynamics of Compact
Downhole Turbo Generators.” SPE 116777, 2008 SPE Annual Technical Conference, Sept
21-21, Denver, Colorado.
Fernandez, V.J., James, D.L. and Webb, S. (2008). “Particle Tracking for Membranes with
Filtration,” Presentation and abstract at the 61st Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid
Dynamics, American Physical Society, Nov. 23-25, San Antonio, Texas.
Fernandez, V.J., Ghosh, P., and James, D. (2008). “Thermodynamics of Compact Downhole
Turbo Generators.” SPE 116777, 2008 SPE Annual Technical Conference, Sept 21-21,
Denver Colorado.
Ghosh, P., and James, D.L. (2008). “Thermodynamics of Compact Downhole Turbo
Generators.” SPE 116777, 2008 SPE Annual Technical Conference, Sept 21-21, Denver,
Colorado.
Huang, G., and Chen, X. (2008). “Peak factor of wind-excited response considering influence
of bandwidth,” Proceedings, 2008 Workshop of American Association for Wind Engineering,
August 21-22, Vail, Colorado.
32
James, D. L., and Webb, S. (2008). “Particle Tracking for Membranes with Filtration,”
Presentation and abstract at the 61st Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics,
American Physical Society, Nov. 23-25, San Antonio, Texas.
Liang, D., Mehta, K., Nutter, B., and Womble, J.A. (2008). “Development of a Windstorm
Damage Assessment System with Hyperspectral Imaging Technology,”
4th International
Conferences on Advances in Wind and Structures AWAS ’08, May 29-31, Jeju, Japan.
McGrath, D., Beruvides, M.G. and Temblador, M.C. (2008).“Quantitative analysis of
complex systems: An example using mutual fund performance data,” Proceedings, ASEM
Annual Conference, CD-ROM, West Point, N.Y
Ng, E., Beruvides, M.G. and Simonton, J. (2008). “Rural transit regional maintenance center
economic modeling,” Proceedings, ASEM Annual Conference, CD-ROM, West Point, N.Y.
Robertson, B., Beruvides, M.G., and Daniel, B. (2008). “A Software-Based Lessons Learned
Management System: A Novel Approach to Knowledge Management in Organizations,”
Proceedings, Industrial Engineering Research Conference, Vancouver, Canada.
Smith, D.A., Womble, J.A., and Lonmbardo, F.T. (2008). “Defending the Wind: Part One:
Constructing Probable Wind and Water Damage Timelines,” American Association of Wind
Engineering, Aug 21-22, Vail, CO.
Smith, D.A., Womble, J.A., and Lombardo, F.T. (2008). “Constructing Probable Wind and
Water Damage Sequences from Timelines – the Technical Perspective,” ASCE/SEI Structures
Congress, April 2008, Vancouver, B.C.
Womble, J.A., Mehta, K, and Adams, B. (2008). “Remote Sensing of Hurricane Damage –
Part One: Toward Automated Damage Assessment,” American Association for Wind
Engineering 2008 Workshop, Aug 21-22, Vail, CO.
Womble, J.A., Smith, D.A, and Adams, B. (2008). “Remote Sensing of Hurricane Damage –
Part Two: Identification of Neighborhood Wind/Water Damage Patterns,” American
Association of Wind Engineering 2008 Workshop, Aug 21-22, Vail, Co.
Womble, J.A., and Smith, D.A. (2008). “Defending the Wind: MythBusters for the
Wind/Water Debate,” American Association of Wind Engineering, Aug 21-22, Vail, CO.
Womble, J.A, Adams, B., and Smith, D.A. (2008). “Use of Emerging Remote-Sensing
Technologies to Determine Neighborhood Wind/Water Damage Patterns,” ASCE/SEI
Structures Congress, April 2008, Vancouver, B.C.
Womble, J.A., Adams, B.J., Ghosh, S., and Friedland, C. (2008). “Remote Sensing and Field
Reconnaissance for Rapid Damage Detection in Hurricane Katrina,” ASCE/SEI Structures
Congress, April 2008, Vancouver, B.C.
33
C. REPORTS






Morse, A., Jackson, W., and Faith, K. (2008). Integrated Gen I Testing: Evaluation
of Water Quality Benefits and Reduced RO Cost, Lynntech.
Morse, A., Crawley, N., Low, D., Grieco, J., James, D. and Jackson, W.A. (2008).
Evaluation of NASA's Advanced Life Support Integrated Water Recovery System for
Non-Optimal Conditions and Terrestrial Applications, NASA (Year 6).
Morse, A., Newhouse, C., and Taylor, J. (2008). Handling Issues for Lead and
Asbestos in Bridge Construction Center for Multidisciplinary Research in
Transportation, Texas Tech University, Research Report 0-5884.
Swift, A., Contributor. (2008). Wind Energy, Texas Renewable Energy Resource
Assessment, Prepared by Frontier Associates, LLC, for the Texas State Energy
Conservation Office, December 2008.
Swift, A., Rainwater, K., Chapman, J., et.al., (2008). Integrated Wind-Water System,
Research Contract Number CM616, Texas State Energy Conservation Office, October
2008.
Swift, A., Rainwater, K., Chapman, J., et.al., (2008). “Desalination and Water
Purification Research and Development Program, Desalination Research Task C:
Wind Power and Water Desalination Technology Integration”, Financial Assistance
Agreement 05FC811173, US Bureau of Reclamation, October 2008.
34
VII. PROGRAM AREAS, ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS AND PERSONNEL
Program Areas
Boundary Layer
Atmospheric Science
Wind
Effects on
Civil Structures
Economics
and
Risk Management
Wind
Power
Systems
Publications
Inputs to State & National Policy
Assessment
Academic Organization Chart
Graduate
Council
Graduate Dean
Research Organization Chart
V.P.
of
Research
Deans
Council
Deans
Council
•Engineering (Chair)
•Arts & Sciences
•Architecture
External
Advisory
Board
•Engineering (Chair)
•Arts & Sciences
•Architecture
Internal
Advisory
Board
Center
Director
External
Advisory
Board
Leadership
Council
Unit
Manager
Faculty
Affiliates
Students
Unit
Manager
Professional
Staff
Academic
Program
Assoc. Dir.
Internal
Advisory
Board
Center
Director
Faculty
Affiliates
Senior
Faculty
Advisors
Leadership
Council
Program
Area
Associate
Directors
Students
Academic
Coordinator
Mar08
35
A. FACULTY AFFILIATES – WIND SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
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Sukanta Basu, Assistant Professor of Geosciences (Atmospheric Science)
Mario Beruvides, Professor of Industrial Engineering
Jamie Chapman, Senior Research Faculty of Wind Science and Engineering
Xinzhong Chen, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering
Dakshina DaSilva, Assistant Professor of Economics and Geography
Brad Ewing, Rawls Professor in Operations Management Director, Center for
Professional Development/Executive Education, Area of Information Systems and
Quantitative Sciences, Rawls College of Business
Michael Giesselmann, Professor of Electrical Engineering
Xiaoning Li (Kathleen) Gilliam, Instructor of Mathematics
Jerry Guynes, Senior Research Faculty
Saif Haq, Associate Professor of Architecture
Glenn Hill, Associate Academic Dean of Architecture
W. Andrew Jackson, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering
Darryl James, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Ernst Kiesling, Professor of Civil Engineering
John Kobza, Professor of Industrial Engineering
Daan Liang, Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology
Robert McComb, Associate Professor of Economics and Geography
Kishor Mehta, Horn Professor of Civil Engineering
Stephen Morse, Instructor of Civil Engineering
Kevin Mulligan, Associate Professor for the Center of Geospatial Technology,
Department of Economics and Geography
Phil Nash, Instructor of Civil Engineering
H. Scott Norville, Department Chair of Civil Engineering
Siva Parameswaran, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Richard Peterson, Professor of Geosciences (Atmospheric Science)
John Schroeder, Associate Professor of Geosciences (Atmospheric Science)
Doug Smith, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering
Andrew Swift, Director of the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center,
Professor of Civil Engineering
Larry Tanner, Instructor of Civil Engineering
Christopher Weiss, Assistant Professor of Geosciences (Atmospheric Science)
Arn Womble, Instructor of Civil Engineering
Delong Zuo, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering
36
B. WISE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (INTERNAL ADVISORY BOARD)
 Jamie Chapman
 Brad Ewing
 Ernst Kiesling
 Kishor Mehta
 Robert McComb
 Richard Peterson
 John Schroeder
 Doug Smith
 Andrew Swift
C. RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
 Wesley Burgett
 Brian Hirth
 Patrick Skinner
 Richard Walker
D. STAFF
 Glenn Allen, Senior Technician
 Cynthia Barbosa, Administrative Business Assistant for NSSA
 Patricia Bela, Senior Business Assistant
 Shannon Hutchison, Senior Technician
 Jeff Livingston, Unit Manager
 Karen Preiss, Senior Editor
 Kelsey Seger, Academic Coordinator-started September 2007
 Susan Sechrist, Senior Business Assistant
 Carol Ann Stanley, Unit Manager
 Katarzyna “Kasia” Gabka, Administrative Business Assistant
 James R. Williamson, Technician
E. GRADUATE STUDENTS
 Jeff Beck
 Vikas Doon
 Kornel Rozsaolgyi
I. Ph.D. STUDENTS IN WIND SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (WISE)
 Karen Tarara – Rochester, MN
 Richard Walker – Galveston, TX
 Kuangmin Gong-Harbin - Heilongjiang, P.R. China
37
F. NSF FELLOWS
 Tanya Brown
 Joseph Dannemiller
 Rebecca Paulson-Edwards
 Padriac Fowler
 Ian Giammanco
 Andrea (Gamret) Jackman
 Franklin T. Lombardo
 Maribel Martinez
 Jason McNeill
 Dennis Noll
 Kirsten Orwig
 Martin Christopher Pattison
 Amber Reynolds
 Anita Schiller
 Simon Wayne
 Andrew Widmer
 Brian Zachry
G. NSF INTERNS
 Theresa Aguilar –Texas Tech University, Anton, TX
 Cheniece Athur – ECSU, Hampton, GA
 George Jonathan Harris – ECSU, Hampton, GA
 Richard Krupar – Valparasio University, Elria, OH
H. STUDENT ASSISTANTS
 Zach Gross
 Scott Cunningham
 Adam Young
38
VIII. THESES/DISSERTATIONS COMPLETED
No Picture
Available
DESIGN AND CONTROL OF AN INTEGRATED WINDWATER DESALINATION SYSTEM FOR AN INLAND
MUNICIPALITY
Dennis Noll, Ph.D. (2008)
ABSTRACT:
Current water pricing standards do not take economic responsibility for dwindling
potable water aquifers. By only incorporating financial, but not true economic costs of this
scarce good, serious depletion of these often slow-recharging groundwater resources has
occurred in many areas in the United States. Aquifer depletion for some areas looms on a 50year or closer horizon, and many municipalities in the Southwest and elsewhere face potential
distress due to lack of sustainable fresh water levels. In order for these towns to remain
economically and physically viable, alternative water resources must be found.
Texas Tech University is working with an affected West Texas inland municipality to
evaluate the technology and economics of a full-scale, integrated wind powered-reverse
osmosis system. The system will be applied to produce potable water from a brackish aquifer
at the average rate of three million gallons per day, and will be controlled by an algorithm that
controls the dispatch and use of the generated electricity. The algorithm will process
streaming real-time water use and electrical load data in combination with wind speed
measurements in order to determine the best use of the energy produced by a turbine array;
either for water purification or for displacing conventional power on other municipal loads.
The algorithm will also explore the potential of using treated water as a form of energy
storage for the system. The end product of this system is a water purification process that will
utilize a brackish water aquifer for all of the city’s potable water needs, and wind power for all
associated reverse osmosis and other electrical loads.
39
MODELING OF LOW-LEVEL JETS OVER THE GREAT
PLAINS: IMPLICATIONS FOR WIND ENERGY
Brandon Storm, Ph.D. (2008)
ABSTRACT:
Low-level jets (LLJs), wind maximums centered 100 - 1000 m above the ground, are
common features observed over the Great Plains of the United States. An accurate
understanding of LLJs has many implications for the wind power industry. For example,
LLJs can increase wind speeds at turbine heights, which in turn leads to an increase in energy.
However, these same high speed winds created by LLJs can create large amounts of stress on
the turbines, causing fatigue issues over time. Without a proper understanding of the LLJ,
accurate estimates of the wind speeds at hub height, which are needed for wind resource
assessment and forecasting projects, are very difficult to obtain.
When assessing a particular location for placement of a wind farm, it is common
within the wind power industry to use towers that do not reach the height of the turbine's hubs.
Therefore, the hub height wind speed has to be estimated by using lower-level wind speed
measurements (60 m or lower) and assuming a simple power law relationship. However, to
obtain an accurate estimate of the hub height and higer wind speeds, one has to know what
shear exponent value to assume. The presence of LLJs causes the shear exponent to be
significantly higher than what the industry currently assumes. The Weather Research and
Forecasting (WRF) model can simulate the low-level wind speed and frequency of LLJs over
the Great Plains in a manner that it could be used to estimate the shear exponent over the
Great Plains. On the other hand, an investigation of the LLJ climatology compared to
observational studies indicates that the WRF model has room for improvement in forecasting
the speed and height of LLJs.
The WRF model predicts the low-level wind characteristics (speed and directions
distributions) over a year’s time period with some skill. Therefore, a framework coupling the
WRF model with a wind resource analysis program commonly used within the industry, the
Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP), was developed. It was found that the
WRF model could be used as input into WAsP with confidence, and shows prospect in being
able to replace tower observations for completing preliminary resource assessment projects.
This would allow the wind power industry to complete site assessment projects in a timely
and economically efficient manner.
40
WIND DIRECTIONALITY: A RELIABILITY-BASED
APPROACH
Rolando E. Vega-Avila, P.E., M.ASCE, Ph.D. (2008)
ABSTRACT:
A methodology to reliably combine the effects of building aerodynamics and site
climatology as a function of wind direction is needed to quantify the effects of wind
directionality. It has been previously noted that considerations of wind directionality would
result in risk-consistent, safer and more economical designs of buildings. In this doctoral
exposition, the author makes use of data collected at Texas Tech University to define such
methodology. The West Texas Mesonet is used to define the mean and extreme climate in
west Texas while the Wind Engineering Research Field Laboratory provides the aerodynamic
data in representation of low-rise buildings. A novel approach to separate extremes in nonhurricane regions is presented by assuring that events are independent using atmospheric
pressure data and using information from the continuous wind data sets. The aerodynamic
extreme directional assessment of the low-rise building is based on estimates of pressure
coefficients of building components representing the design of cladding and lateral and
vertical forces representing the design of portal frames.
The current standards of minimum loading of structures in the United States and
Canada take into account wind directionality by saying that there is a reduced probability of
the extreme winds not necessarily coming from the most aerodynamically vulnerable
direction. However, no systematic reliable measure is available to date to establish such
reduced probability using extreme value distributions. In the research presented in this
investigation, the combination of two databases (climatic and aerodynamic) to estimate wind
directionality effects corroborate the assumptions in the standard and provide a methodology
to quantify the factor in a reliable way. Results indicate that while the use of a wind
directionality factor is absolutely not recommended for structural building components, if
non-structural components get a discount of approximately 20% in the wind load, roughly
16% of the building population in open terrain will see a wind load in its lifetime that exceeds
the specified design. Due to the large uncertainties in the wind directionality factor produced
by: (1) unknown random building orientations and (2) large probabilities of exceedance in the
load coefficient specified in the standard, the true directionality issue should only be
accounted through detailed analysis and not by a wind directionality reduction factor. The use
of an aerodynamic exposure correction is recommended instead to account for the reduced
average peak wind load that is seen in terrains where the exposure is rougher than the
modeled open exposure for which loading coefficients are given in the standard.
41
`
AN ANALYSIS OF THE COST OF HAZARD
MITIGATION PLANNING POLICY IN LOCAL AND
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
Andrea Gamret-Jackman, Ph.D. (2008
ABSTRACT:
According to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-390), and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) subsequent Interim Final Rule (44 CFR Parts 201
and 206), local governments are required to write and gain approval for a Hazard Mitigation
Plan (HMP). Once the plan has been approved by FEMA, the authoring jurisdiction(s) is
eligible to apply for and receive federal grant funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program (HMGP) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program (PDM). A pilot study
conducted on the completion of HMPs revealed that over 90% of plans were completed multijurisdictionally, although approximately two-thirds of local governments in the United States
remain without plans. An examination of disaster management literature reveals that planning
activities and specifically the role of multi-jurisdictional cooperation in these activities,
remains poorly understood. The analysis presented in this dissertation includes that of the
pilot study, the creation of a conceptual model of emergency management in the United
States, and the results of a statistical analysis of the cost to single and multi-jurisdictional
planning entities for the creation of a HMP. The results of the analysis indicate that the cost of
a HMP varies significantly depending on the population of, and the frequency of natural
hazards experienced by the planning jurisdiction. The recommendation is made that multijurisdictional planning efforts be highly favored over single-jurisdictional ones for costreducing purposes, particularly for those jurisdictions which experience a low frequency of
natural hazards. Questions regarding the role of multi-jurisdictional entities in the mitigation
of natural disasters are also recommended for potential avenues of future research.
42
Figure 17 – Jeff Livingston, Unit Manager at the Reese Technology Center, explains the more
technical aspects of the wind/water desalination project to JROTC visitors from Amarillo.
Figure 18 – A photo illustrating the Desalination Project Building at Reese Technology
Center. Notice the wind turbine in the back of the picture.
43
IX. PROPOSALS SUBMITTED
Departments of PIs and Co-PIs are indicated in ( ). Atmo: Atmospheric Science; BA:
Business Administration; CE: Civil Engineering; Econ: Economics; EE: Electrical
Engineering; ETech: Engineering Technology; GS: GeoSciences; MATH: Mathematics; ME:
Mechanical Engineering; WISE: Wind Science and Engineering Research Center
Achieving Risk-Consistent Design of Low-Rise Buildings for Both Synoptic and Non-Synoptic
Damaging Winds, X. Chen (CE), K. Mehta (WISE), D.A. Smith (CE), Co-PIs,
submitted to National Science Foundation, $53,624, disapproved.
An Innovative Reverse Osmosis Design for Standalone Wind Brackish Water Desalination, J.
Chapman (WISE), K. Rainwater (CE), A. Swift (WISE), Co-PIs, submitted to US Bureau
of Reclamation, $192,139.50, pending.
Assessing Bridge Performance to Extreme Winds With Consideration of Non-Gaussian
Features and System Uncertainties, X. Chen (CE), PI, submitted to National Science
Foundation, $99,139, funded.
Assessment of the Hurricane Resilience of Communities at Multi-Timescale, B. Ewing (BA),
D. Liang (ETech), Co-PIs, submitted to National Science Foundation, $310,440,
disapproved.
Assessment of Wind Turbine Performance at Schools, J. Chapman (WISE), A. Swift (WISE),
Co-PIs, submitted to State Energy Conservation Office, $37,500, funded.
Atmospheric Stability Considerations in Design of Wind Turbines Against Fatigue,
Basu (GS), PI, submitted to THECB-ARP, $51,776, funded.
S.
CAREER: Towards Better Representations of the Nocturnal Low-Level Jets in New
Generation Large-Eddy and Mesoscale Models, S. Basu (GS), PI, submitted to National
Science Foundation, $124,024, funded.
Development of a Practical Model for Wind- and Rain-Wind-Induced Stay Cable Vibrations,
D. Zuo (CE), PI, submitted to National Science Foundation, $199,381, pending.
Documenting the Engineering-Relevant Aspects of Extreme Thunderstorm Winds,
J.
Schroeder (Atmo), PI, submitted to National Science Foundation, $499,522, pending.
Documentation of Hurricane Wind Fields –State Farm, J. Schroeder (GS), PI, submitted to
State Farm Insurance, $25,000, funded.
Drag-Force Calculations on a Car-Trailer Assembly Under Cross-Wind Conditions,
S. Parameswaran (ME), S. Smirnov (ME), Co-PIs, submitted to Daimler/Chrysler
Corporation, $156,138, funded.
44
Evaluation of SODAR System, J. Chapman (WISE), A. Swift (WISE), Co-PIs, submitted to
Second Wind, $51,300, pending.
Experimental Evaluation of dissolution of salt in the strategic petroleum reserve,
D.
James (ME), PI, submitted to Sandia National Laboratories, $48,617, disapproved.
Extreme and Fatigue Loads of Large Wind Turbines Under Non-Gaussian and NonStationary Winds, X. Chen (CE), X.L. Gilliam (MATH), D. Zuo (CE), Co-PIs, submitted
to THECB-ARP, $121,873, disapproved.
Great Plains Wind Power Test Facility, S. Basu (GS), J. Chapman (WISE), X. Chen (CE),
D. DaSilva (ECON), B. Ewing (BA), M. G. Giesselmann (EE), X.L. Gilliam (MATH),
W.A. Jackson (CE), D. James (ME), D. Liang (ETech), R, McComb (ECON), A.Morse
(CE), P. Nash (CE), K. Rainwater (CE), J. Schroeder (GS), D.A. Smith (CE), A. Swift
(WISE), C. Weiss (GS), D. Zuo (CE), Co-PIs, submitted to U.S. Department of Energy,
$1,243,200, funded.
HS-STEM Career Development Grant in Wind Science and Engineering, K. Mehta (WISE),
PI, submitted to Department of Homeland Security, $234,722, disapproved.
Hyperspectral Imagery: A New Frontier for Windstorm Damage Assessment, D. Laing
(ETech), K. Mehta (WISE), Co-PIs, submitted to National Science Foundation, $68,613,
funded.
Investigation of Structures Affected by 2007 Witch Fire, K. Mehta (WISE), PI, submitted to
The Institute for Business and Home Safety, $3,690,funded.
Limited Management Services, E. Kiesling (WISE), PI, submitted to National Storm Shelter
Association, $86,980, funded.
MRI: Development of a Multidimensional-Hyperspectral Data Fusion System for Disaster
Assessment, D. Liang (PI) with K. Mehta (WISE) and B. Nutter (EE), Co-PIs,
submitted to National Science Foundation, $361,590, disapproved.
Observations of the Hurricane Boundary Layer, J. Schroeder (Atmo) submitted to Texas Tech
University, $35,000, disapproved.
Pilot Project: Providing Real-Time Meteorological Monitoring of Landfall Zone,
Schroeder (GS), PI, submitted to National Weather Service, $28,117, pending.
J.
Providing Real-Time Communications for Hurricanes at Landfall, J. Schroeder (GS),
submitted to NOAA Southern Region Headquarters, $28,117, disapproved.
Physical Simulation of Tornado-Like Vortices with Interaction on Low-rise Structures, D.
James (ME), PI, submitted to National Science Foundation, $306,520, pending.
45
Project VORTEX2: Investigation of Storm-Scale Baroclinity Using Fine-Scale Observations,
C. Weiss (GS), PI, submitted to National Science Foundation, $317,261, funded.
Sign Tests in the Field and the Wind Tunnel, K. Mehta (WISE), D.A. Smith (CE), D. Zuo
(CE), Co-PIs, submitted to International Sign Association and Outdoor Advertising
Association of America, $61,258, funded.
Texas Wind Power Institute, S. Basu (GS), J. Chapman (WISE), B. Ewing (BA), M. G.
Giesselmann (EE), X.L. Gilliam (MATH), R. McComb (ECON), K. Mehta (WISE),
J. Schroeder (GS), A. Swift (WISE), D. Zuo (WISE), submitted to Department of
Labor/Texas Workforce Commission, $1.4 million, funded.
Understanding, Parameterizing and Modeling the Strongly Stratified Atmospheric Boundary
Layer Processes over the Antartic Plateau, S. Basu (GS), PI, submitted to the National
Science Foundation, $58,502, funded.
West Texas Mesonet – File Development, J. Schroeder (GS), PI, submitted to Golden Spread
Electric Coop, $3,966, funded.
Wind Resource Measurements in Support of Integrated Wind-Water Systems and
Education/Training Applications, J. Chapman (WISE), A. Swift (WISE), D. Zuo (CE),
Co-PIs, submitted to State Energy Conservation Office, $43,500, funded.
Wind Loading on Structures Subjected to Tornado-Like Vortices. D. James (ME), PI,
submitted to TTU, $35,000, disapproved.
46
Figure 19 – The Brazos Wind Farm constructed by Shell WindEnergy. It uses the Mitsubishi
Wind Turbine Generator with a rated power of 1000 kW and is used as part of the tour during
the short courses on Wind Energy that WISE sponsors across the region.
47
WIND SCIENCE AND RESEARCH ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTER
Area/Unit specific information
Calendar year
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Federal
$3,084,203
$3,362,498
$2,519,870
$649,323
$1,681,806
$2,125,247
State
$422,827
$506,356
$292,316
$111,000
$1,362,117
$1,432,805
Private/Other
$14,738
$14,738
0
0
$174,034
Refereed Journal
10
13
23
Symposia and Conferences
9
15
39
8
15
6
Research funds
$489,179
Publications
Proceedings and Reports
1
Publicity
Presentations
5
12
18
18
10
20
15
29
9
3
6
State
15
1
3
3
National
9
6
2
2
International
4
2
0
2
Tours and demonstrations
Media
Print
Video
Visiting Scholars/Dignitaries
National
3
4
2
8
9
International
2
2
1
3
2
23
1
16
22
11
9
43
31
$2,951,120
$6,560,256
$17,197,652
$6,285,966
3
3
13
16
Professional Committees
Proposals
Proposals submitted
4
Total funds requested
Funded projects
(These result from previous
years’ proposals)
9
48
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WISE 2008
Goal 1: Access and Diversity: Attract faculty, scholars, and students to the
multidisciplinary program.
 The Wind Science and Engineering (WISE) Research Center continues to attract
minorities and females to its program. The program currently sponsors three minority
and five female PhD candidates, and six of the summer interns were minorities and/or
female as well.
 The Center hosted the McDonald-Mehta Lecture Series which invited six nationally
renowned wind-research scholars: Dr. Jim McDonald (TTU – retired), Dr. Jianming
Yin (Marine Technologies, GA), Dr. Vilas Mujumdar (NSF, VA), Dr. Bill Hooke
(AMA), Dr. Michael C. Robinson (NREL, Golden CO) and Mr. Mike Hightower
(Sandia National Labs).
 Other visitors to the center included Ronald T. Eguchi, President and CEO of
ImagaCat, Inc (CA) who gave a talk on “Earthquakes, Hurricanes and other Disasters:
A View from Space”; Professor Qingshan Yang from Beijing Jiaotong University who
gave a presentation on “An Overview of Structures for the 2008 Beijing Olympic
Games”, and Dr. Erik L. Peterson of Technical University of Denmark who covered
the topic of “Scientific and Technical Challenges for the Advancement of Wind
Energy.”
Goal 2: Research and Academic Excellence: Be a world leader in integrated
multidisciplinary research and education.
 WISE has the only Wind Science and Engineering Ph.D. program focused in wind
science and engineering in the nation. The program was approved by the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (THECB) in 2007.
 WISE currently has 21 students in the Ph.D. program.
 Four WISE students have completed their Ph.D. studies in 2008, and the Center has
three Research Associates at the current time.
 Researchers pursued sixteen funded wind-related research projects during the year.
 Thirty-five faculty members from eleven different academic departments were
affiliated with the Center during 2008, from the fields of engineering, atmospheric
sciences, economics and geography, mathematics, geospatial technology, architecture,
and business.
 Faculty members were invited to give sixteen special presentations and served on
twenty-two professional committees at local, regional, statewide and national levels.
 Affiliates in the Wind Science and Engineering Center authored thirty-two articles
published in refereed journals and books, and nineteen publications in proceedings of
conferences.
 WISE has hosted two short courses focused on the “Introduction to Wind Power
Systems and Economics” reaching 44 participants, many of whom were in government
positions or land owners.
 The first of two state-of-the-art Ka-Band Radar mobile Doppler radar trucks was
finished in 2008, and is now in use in the field. The second is still in progress.
49



The Center (in collaboration with the TTU Water Resources Center) has partnered
with the city of Seminole to lead the way in cutting-edge wind-driven water
desalination focused on making brackish water available to municipalities for drinking
water.
Thirteen Debris Impact Tests were conducted in collaboration with national and
international companies.
The Center has partnered with Texas State Technical College to develop curricula and
a program in Wind Energy Workforce development and education. Graduate
certificates and an undergraduate degree program in Wind Engineering are under
development.
Goal 3: Engagement: Build community connections to enhance the quality of life.
 The Texas Wind Energy Institute was created through the support of a $1 million
Workforce Investment Act grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. The grant is
being used to develop curricula and to prepare students to meet the workforce needs of
the rapidly growing wind power industry in Texas. The Technician certificate
curricula have been completed by Texas State Technical College. The Texas Wind
Energy Institute is a partnership between TTU and Texas State Technical College
(TSTC). (See goal #2.)
 The Center is collaborating with a local municipality (the City of Seminole) to address
wind-driven water desalination to enhance the dwindling water supply in the region.
(See also Goal #2).
 The VORTEX tornado simulator was completed at Reese Technology Center and is
capable of producing 1 m tornado vortex for research and application studies using
wind tunnel models.
 The StickNet probes (i.e. rapidly deployable wind/weather instrument platforms)
continue to be deployed to collect high resolution meteorological data within supercell
thunderstorms. In 2008, the StickNets were also deployed in Hurricanes Dolly,
Gustave and Ike – this represents the first full-scale hurricane deployments of the
observational technology in a full-scale hurricane.
 WISE faculty served on the Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) for Hurricane Ike.
 Twelve tours were conducted at the Reese Research facilities including one for Texas
Senator John Cornyn and one for both Congressman Henry Bonilla and Charlie
Stenholm.
 The National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA), headquartered within the Center, is
currently filing to trademark the NSSA logo in both Texas and with the Federal
registration.
 WISE faculty continue to contribute to national emergency management guidelines
and publications to include revisions of this year’s FEMA 320 publication “Taking
Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for your Home or Small Business” and
the FEMA 361 publication, “Design and Construction Guidance for Community Safe
Rooms”.
 NSSA membership grew fifteen percent from 2007 to reach 63 NSSA members in
2008.
50


Efforts of the WISE Research Center and the NSSA faculty were instrumental in the
approval of the International Code Council/National Storm Shelter Association
Standard on the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters. Approved by the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the new guidelines are for the
construction of new community shelters and residential safe rooms.
South Plains Association of Governments was awarded a Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program to provide rebates for 50% of the cost up to a total of $2,500 per storm
shelter.
Goal 4: Technology: Use latest technology in research and delivery of information.
 The Center has completed the construction of the first of two Ka-Band mobile Doppler
radar trucks to gather high resolution wind data. (See also Goal #2.)
 WISE Research Center students and staff continue to develop the StickNet project, a
portable network of instruments used to collect atmospheric measurements around
severe thunderstorms and hurricanes. (See also Goal #3.)
 The growing Mesonet network now has 56 stations across thirty-seven counties in
West Texas and New Mexico. The newest station is near Saint Lawrence, Texas.
Additionally, the expanded Mesonet now offers archived data products in specialized
formats available to companies or individuals for purchase, and averages 41,000 hits a
day on its website: www.mesonet.ttu.edu. For periods of record-breaking inclement
weather, the website has had more than 150,000 hits in one day.
Goal 5: Partnerships: Build and enhance strategic alliances with external entities.
 A collaboration was initiated with the International Sign Association and the Outdoor
Advertising Association for America for a $60,000 research project to determine the
wind load capacity of signs, such as the ones in front of restaurants or gas stations. The
research is being conducted due to changes to the 2006 sign code by the American
Society of Civil Engineers which increased the wind load requirement from the
previous year.
 A partnership between Texas Tech University and the Texas Workforce Commission
has led to the creation of the Texas Wind Energy Institute through the support of a $1
million Workforce Investment Act grant. (See also Goals #1 and 2.)
 WISE Faculty have collaborated with State Farm Insurance for further hurricane
research.
 The Center continues to foster strategic alliances with the National Renewable Energy
Laboratories and with Sandia National Laboratories wind energy programs in the area
of wind turbine performance and reliability.
 WISE is a founding member of the Texas Lone Star Wind Energy Alliance, a
collaboration of wind energy university and industry programs.
 The Center, through the Texas Wind Energy Institute, has partnered with the Wind
Coalition, a wind energy advisory group, to validate developing wind energy
curriculum.
51
Goal 6: Human Resources and Infrastructure: Maintain and enhance faculty and staff,
and experimental facilities and work space.
 Renovations of the Reese facilities have continued, the West Texas Mesonet continues
to expand (now up to 56 stations), and the Vortex Tornado Simulator is completed.
Goal 7: Tradition and pride: Maintain and enhance national and international
reputation.
 Wes Burgett, along with West Texas Mesonet team members Brian Hirth and Ross
Williamson, and Faculty Director, Dr. John Schroeder, received the 2008 Larry R.
Johnson Special Award from the National Weather Association. This award is
presented to an individual or group “to recognize unique events or extraordinary
accomplishments which significantly contributed to operational meteorology”.
 The Center hosted the McDonald-Mehta Lecture Series which invited six nationally
renowned wind-research scholars: Dr. Jim McDonald (TTU – retired), Dr. Jianming
Yin (Marine Technologies, GA), Dr. Vilas Mujumdar (NSF, VA), Dr. Bill Hooke
(AMA), Dr. Michael C. Robinson (NREL, Golden CO) and Mr. Mike Hightower
(Sandia National Labs). (See Goal #1.)
 Other visitors to the center included Ronald T. Eguchi, President and CEO of
ImagaCat, Inc (CA) Professor Qingshan Yang from Beijing Jiaotong University, and
Dr. Erik L. Peterson of Technical University of Denmark (See also Goal #1.)
 There were three hurricane deployments to Hurricanes Ike, Gustave, and Dolly
involving approximately ten team members from the Center.
 The Center generated at least five news releases in 2008 with at least one leading to
coverage outside the region in Jackson, Mississippi. Additionally, there were visits
from two international companies, one television station from Japan, and one
independent British television production company. There was also coverage on
various events from the local media.
Goal 8: Institutional Advancement and Accountability: Establish fiscal stability.
 Research funds for 2008 were from a variety of sources and totaled more than $3.7
million for the year. The Center anticipates similar figures for the following year
supporting its goal of fiscal stability within the university.
 Researchers submitted thirty-one proposals for wind-related research during the year
for a total of more than $6.2 million in potential funding.
 Sixteen proposals for wind-related research received funding in 2008 for a total of
more than $3.7 million; six (total: more than $1.2 million) are pending.
Commentary:
The Center continues to build on its strong foundation and 38-year history. This report
illustrates the continued expansion and evolution of the Center providing additional
research thrust areas, such as wind power systems and advanced wind research
capabilities (e.g. Ka Band Doppler radar, Sticknet etc.) leading to new research and
educational opportunities for students and faculty while serving the region, state, and
52
the nation. The new Ph.D. program provides the next generation of leaders and
decision makers in wind-related fields enhancing our goal of research and academic
excellence while the formation of the Texas Wind Energy Institute for wind energy
workforce development expands the Center’s commitment to outreach and education.
Implementation Plan:
Facilities and space are presently adequate with offices on campus in the Civil
Engineering building and with space at the Reese Technology Center to include the
field site and building numbers 250 and 350. The research and education potential in
the area of wind energy is potentially quite large, but to capitalize on these
opportunities will require the hiring of several new faculty. Grants and endowments
would facilitate these hires, and are being sought through development and other
avenues both within and external to the university. Long-term projects and goals
require long-term and stable sources of revenue. Presently, the inflation-adjusted State
Line item support for the Center is decreasing substantially each year.
In addition, Federal Congressionally Directed Projects, an important element in
funding over the past decade, is becoming increasingly unstable and problematic,
adding to future resource uncertainty. Securing longer term, stable funding is a priority
and the Center is actively seeking endowments for scholarships, professorships, and
chairs by working with the Development Office, alumni and corporate partners.
Finally, Center personnel and facility resources continue to provide important support
for the faculty who seek competitive grants and contracts, which remain an important
element in securing resources.
53
Figure 18 – A selection of the historical collection of windmills at the American Wind Power
Center in Lubbock, Texas.
54
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55