Summary
Highly motivated Wind Energy Engineer with 6 years of experience in renewable energy project development, engineering design, and operational optimization. Proven ability to lead complex projects from conception through commissioning, driving efficiency improvements and cost reductions. Adept at leveraging advanced simulation tools and data analysis to enhance wind farm performance and ensure grid integration stability. Committed to advancing sustainable energy solutions and contributing to a greener future.
Experience
Senior Wind Energy EngineerNextEra Energy Resources
- Led engineering efforts for three utility-scale wind projects totaling 650 MW, increasing projected Annual Energy Production (AEP) by 4.5% through optimized turbine selection and micro-siting.
- Managed technical due diligence for potential acquisitions, identifying risks and opportunities that informed investment decisions on over $1.2 billion in assets.
- Developed and implemented advanced SCADA data analysis protocols, reducing turbine downtime by an average of 12% across a portfolio of 15 wind farms.
- Collaborated with grid operators to ensure successful interconnection and compliance for 200 MW of new capacity, mitigating potential curtailment issues.
- Mentored a team of junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
Wind Project EngineerVestas Americas
- Designed and analyzed wind turbine foundations and tower structures, reducing material costs by 8% through value engineering without compromising structural integrity.
- Performed comprehensive wind resource assessments and energy yield analyses for 10+ projects (totaling 1.5 GW), utilizing WindPRO and Openwind software to forecast AEP with >97% accuracy.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams (civil, electrical, environmental) to resolve design conflicts, resulting in a 15% reduction in project design lead time.
- Supported construction and commissioning phases, ensuring adherence to design specifications and resolving field issues, contributing to on-time project delivery.
- Implemented a new internal tool for wake effect modeling, improving the accuracy of projected energy output by 2% for complex terrain sites.
Projects
Hybrid Renewable Microgrid Design for Remote Community
- Led the conceptual design and feasibility study for a 5 MW hybrid wind-solar-battery microgrid, projected to provide 100% renewable energy to a remote community.
- Optimized system sizing and control strategies using HOMER Pro, achieving a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) reduction of 18% compared to diesel-only generation.
- Developed grid integration plan to ensure seamless transition between islanded and grid-connected modes, enhancing energy security and reliability.
Advanced Wake Steering Control Implementation
- Piloted and supervised the implementation of a new wake steering control algorithm on a 20-turbine wind farm, resulting in a measured 2.5% increase in annual energy production.
- Managed data acquisition and analysis from SCADA systems to validate performance gains against baseline operations.
- Collaborated with turbine OEMs to integrate new control logic safely and effectively, minimizing potential operational risks.
Wind Turbine Blade Erosion Prevention Study
- Conducted a comprehensive research study on leading-edge erosion of wind turbine blades, identifying key environmental factors and material degradation mechanisms.
- Developed and tested novel coating solutions in lab conditions, demonstrating a 30% improvement in erosion resistance over standard materials.
- Presented findings at a national conference, contributing to industry best practices for blade maintenance and lifetime extension.
Education
University of Colorado BoulderM.S. in Renewable Energy Systems
- Specialized in wind turbine aerodynamics and grid integration challenges.
- Thesis: "Optimization of Hybrid Wind-Solar Storage Systems for Grid Stability."
- Awarded Dean's Fellowship for academic excellence.
Colorado State UniversityB.S. in Mechanical Engineering
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.8 GPA.
- Recipient of the Departmental Award for Outstanding Senior Project in Sustainable Systems.
- Completed a Capstone project on small-scale wind turbine blade design and prototyping.
Publications
Mitigating Curtailment in High-Penetration Wind Grids Through Advanced Forecasting and Storage Integration
Optimizing Wind Farm Layouts for Complex Terrain Using CFD and Genetic Algorithms
Techno-Economic Analysis of Hybrid Wind-Solar-Battery Systems for Remote Applications
Skills
Wind Energy Engineering
Wind Resource AssessmentTurbine Technology & SelectionWind Farm Layout OptimizationEnergy Yield Analysis (EYA)Site Suitability AnalysisGrid Interconnection
Software & Simulation
WindPROOpenwindMATLABPython (Pandas, NumPy)ANSYS Fluent (CFD)AutoCAD
Project Management
Technical Due DiligenceCost Estimation & BudgetingStakeholder ManagementEPC CoordinationRisk AssessmentConstruction Support
Data Analysis & Operations
SCADA Data AnalysisOperational Performance MonitoringRoot Cause AnalysisPredictive MaintenanceStatistical ModelingPost-Construction Review
Codes & Standards
IEC 61400NERC CIPIEEE 1547OSHALocal Permitting RegulationsEnvironmental Impact Assessments