WindSTAR

WindSTAR is the only Industry-University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for wind energy research and education. The Center is a partnership between academia (UMass Lowell and UT Dallas), the federal government, and the private sector. The Center’s industry partners include OEMs, component suppliers, and owners/operators of wind plants. WindSTAR’s goal is to decrease cost and increase reliability in all stages of wind power plant development.

WindSTAR was founded in 2014 and it is a signature program of UTD Wind. From 2014 to 2019, WindSTAR received $3.9 million in total funding and completed 34 projects of benefit to its industrial members. The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded $1.1 million to WindSTAR for continued operations until 2024 and industry partners continue to provide support with their membership (figure below).

UT Dallas major contributions to WindSTAR include digital models for performance assessment, measurement campaigns to US wind farms, control systems for wind turbines and wind farms, and materials processing and manufacturing for blades and towers. Details on the published public reports can be found here.

Contact us for more information on memberships and joining.

WindSTAR Center Members as of January 2024