[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 485-486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33802]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy


Wind Plant Performance--Public Meeting on Modeling and Testing 
Needs for Complex Air Flow Characterization

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public meeting for interested parties 
to provide DOE information on modeling needs and experimental 
validation techniques for complex flow phenomena in and around off-
shore and on-shore utility-scale wind power plants. DOE is requesting 
this information to support the development of cost-effective wind 
power deployment.

DATES: The meeting will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2012, from 7:30 
a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: University Memorial Center at the University of Colorado, 
Boulder, 1669 Euclid Avenue, Boulder, CO 80309.

[[Page 486]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Higgins at 
[email protected]. EE-2B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20585.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the meeting is for DOE to 
obtain input on existing gaps and future opportunities in regards to 
complex flow modeling and experimental validation. Ultimately, research 
in this area may lead to significant improvements in wind plant 
efficiency and performance, leading to a reduced cost of energy for 
wind power. The meeting is an opportunity for participants to provide, 
based on their individual experience, information and facts regarding 
this topic. It is not the object of this session to obtain any group 
position or consensus. Rather, DOE is seeking as many recommendations 
as possible from all individuals at this meeting.
    The public meeting will consist of an initial plenary session in 
which invited speakers will survey available information and needs for 
various applications related to complex flow modeling and validation 
testing. For the remainder of the meeting, breakout groups will be used 
to provide participants an opportunity to present to DOE information on 
specific areas regarding existing gaps in observations and 
computational products. These groups will be an opportunity to provide 
comment on information needs for the following topics:

1. Wind Turbine Scale Modeling and Validation Requirements

    Participants will examine inflow and outflow characteristics in the 
vicinity of a single wind turbine, as well as the implications for 
aerodynamic loading of the rotor and overall structure. Several 
temporal and spatial scales shall be considered.

2. Wind Plant Scale Modeling and Validation Requirements

    Participants will examine complex aerodynamic phenomena in, around, 
and through wind plants, including turbine-wake interaction, wake-wake 
interaction, complex terrain, and turbulence effects. Several temporal 
and spatial scales shall be considered.

3. Regional Scale Modeling and Validation Requirements

    Participants will examine the meteorological effects at the 
regional, multi-wind plant scale. This exploration of atmospheric 
science topics shall include model nesting, long-term data collection 
requirements, and down-wind effects of wind plants.

4. Experimental Data Validation Techniques

    Participants will examine the requirements for, as well as the 
feasibility and efficacy of, existing and future experimental 
techniques for cost effective, high fidelity data collection. Both 
field and laboratory experiments will be explored.
    This meeting is intended to collect information from individuals 
involved in planning, deployment, operation, and regulation of wind 
energy projects, individuals involved in meteorological and oceanic 
disciplines relevant to offshore and onshore wind energy, and 
interested members of the public. However, the meeting will not focus 
on environmental impact or management issues, which are being addressed 
by separate efforts. While participation is open to all interested 
parties, the breakout structure of the meeting will limit its overall 
size to about 80 participants. When the meeting is fully subscribed, 
registration will be closed.
    Please email Raphael Tisch at [email protected] with 
registration inquiries.

                            Tentative Agenda
                           [Subject To Change]
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                                  Day 1
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7:30 a.m.-8 a.m........................  Registration and Continental
                                          Breakfast.
8 a.m.--8:30 a.m.......................  Plenary Session 1:
                                          Welcome and Introduction.
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.....................  Plenary Session 2:
                                          Overview of Break-Out Group
                                          Topics.
9:30 a.m.-10 a.m.......................  Form Break-Out Groups.
10 a.m.-10:20 a.m......................  Break.
10:20 a.m.-12 p.m......................  Break-Out Group Session 1: Sub-topic Issue.
12 p.m.-1 p.m..........................  Lunch.
1 p.m.-3 p.m...........................  Break-Out Group Session 2: Sub-topic Issue.
3 p.m.-3:20 p.m........................  Break.
3:20 p.m.-5 p.m........................  Break-Out Group Session 3: Open Comments.
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                                  Day 2
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7:30 a.m.-8 a.m........................  Registration and Continental
                                          Breakfast.
8 a.m.-8:30 a.m........................  Plenary Session: Day 1 Progress
                                          Report.
8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.....................  Break-Out Group Session 4: Wrap-up Comments.
9:30 a.m.-10 a.m.......................  Break-Out Group Session 5: Prep for Plenary
                                          Discussion.
10 a.m.-10:20 a.m......................  Break.
10:20 a.m.-12 p.m......................  Plenary Session 3:
                                          Break-Out Group Overviews.
12 p.m.-1 p.m..........................  Lunch.
1 p.m.-3 p.m...........................  Plenary Session 4:
                                          Open Comments and Q&A.
3 p.m.-3:20 p.m........................  Break.
3:20 p.m.-5 p.m........................  Plenary Session 3:
                                          Summary.
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Registration and Accommodations
    A room-block for meeting participants has been established at the 
Boulderado, the Boulder Marriott, and Millennium Harvest House.

    Issued in Washington, DC on December 27, 2011.
Jose Zayas,
Program Manager, Wind and Hydropower Technologies, Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2011-33802 Filed 1-4-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P