I/UCRC: Wind Energy, Science, Technology, and Research (WindSTAR)

I/UCRC风能科学、技术和研究计划将工程与基础研究相结合，以支持风能系统的发展，以生产低成本、高可靠性的能源。该中心及其合作伙伴打算在以下关键领域开展合作研究和教育计划：(a)复合材料；(b)地基、塔和基础设施；(c)制造和设计；(d)结构健康监测、无损检测和测试；(e)控制系统和储能；以及(f)风力系统规划、选址和运营。拟议的I/UCRC将对环境、经济和教育产生广泛的影响。洛厄尔和达拉斯附近有大量的少数民族人口，该中心的地理位置很好，可以让风能领域中代表性不足的群体参与进来。该中心打算利用几个成功项目的最佳实践来开发和整合教育活动，以加强不同学生群体的招募和保留，并鼓励代表性不足的少数民族和女性学生追求STEM职业。除了劳动力发展和研发，WindSTAR还将提供一个论坛，让风能行业的多个方面（例如，风力涡轮机制造商、关键部件制造商、材料供应商、辅助设备供应商、服务公司和风能项目开发商）可以共同努力，解决阻碍风能发展的竞争前问题。

The I/UCRC for Wind Energy Science, Technology and Research plans to integrate engineering with fundamental research to support the development of wind energy systems for production of low-cost energy with high reliability. The center and its partners intend to engage in a cooperative program of research and education in the following key areas: (a) Composites, (b) Foundations, Towers, and Infrastructure (c) Manufacturing and Design, (d) Structural Health Monitoring, Non-Destructive Inspection, and Testing, (e) Control Systems and Energy Storage, and (f) Wind System Planning, Siting, and Operations.The proposed I/UCRC will have broad impacts with respect to the environment, the economy, and education. With large minority populations near Lowell and Dallas, the Center is well situated to involve underrepresented groups within the wind energy field. The Center intends to leverage best practices from several successful programs to develop and integrate educational activities that enhance recruitment and retention of diverse student populations and encourage under-represented minority and female students to pursue STEM careers. In addition to workforce development and R&D, WindSTAR will provide a forum in which multiple facets of the wind industry (e.g., wind turbine manufacturers, manufacturers of key components, materials suppliers, suppliers of ancillary equipment, service companies, and wind project developers) can work together to solve precompetitive problems that hinder the advancement of wind energy.