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In order for wind turbines to function effectively across wide ranges of wind conditions, you’ll need what’s known as blade pitch control. 

Lucy Pao, the Palmer Endowed Chair Professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at 91¸ŁŔűÉç, was honored by the  for advancing research in wind turbine control systems. 

Her IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology Outstanding Paper Award recognized the work with her former PhD student Michael N. Sinner, now a researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and collaborators from ForWind – Center for Wind Energy Research in Germany.

Advancing Wind Energy Through Control Systems

In the award-winning paper, Pao’s team explored how advanced control methods, specifically a model predictive control (MPC) framework, can optimize blade pitch control on wind turbines. 

Blade pitch control—the adjustment of a wind turbine’s blade angle—is crucial for regulating rotor speed and mitigating structural loads, particularly during gusty or turbulent wind conditions.

The study demonstrated how incorporating wind information, measured in this case with anemometers in a wind tunnel, can significantly improve the performance of wind turbines. By anticipating wind conditions before they reach the turbine, the system optimizes blade pitch adjustments in real-time, reducing wear and tear on turbine components and enhancing energy efficiency.

“With just a little bit of preview information, we were able to start pitching the blades ahead of a gust of wind,” Pao explained. “This reduces structural loads and regulates generator speed more effectively than feedback-only control systems.”

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

While MPC is a well-known method in control systems, its application to wind turbines represents a leap forward in the field. Traditionally used in industries with slower dynamic systems, such as chemical processing, MPC has not been widely adopted in fast-moving systems due to its computational complexities. 

Dr. Pao’s team addressed this challenge by successfully implementing MPC on a fully instrumented, scaled wind turbine in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel at the University of Oldenburg’s ForWind Center in Germany.

“Our study proves that model predictive control can be implemented in real-time, even in dynamic systems like wind turbines,” said Dr. Pao. “Our findings pave the way for future adoption of this technology in commercial wind turbines, potentially transforming the wind energy sector.”

Collaboration Across Continents

The research is the culmination of a long-standing collaboration with the ForWind Center, initiated during Pao’s sabbatical in Germany in 2016.

“This collaboration began almost a decade ago with an exchange student and has since grown into a strong partnership,” Pao said. “We’ve exchanged students and postdocs, conducted joint experiments and built a shared vision for advancing wind energy.”

Michael Sinner’s involvement in the project is a testament to this collaboration. During his PhD, Sinner worked extensively with the ForWind Center’s advanced wind tunnel facility, which enabled precise and repeated experiments.

“Wind tunnel testing allows us to replicate conditions and isolate variables in ways that are challenging in open-field testing,” she said. “This control and consistency were critical for validating our findings.”

Looking to the Future

Pao’s collaborators have already begun follow-up studies, exploring the sensitivity of the control system to varying wind information and optimization horizon lengths. Preliminary results suggest the control approach is robust even when the predicted timing of the incoming wind, like a gust, is slightly off, which is encouraging for future field applications.

“We’re excited to see how this technology could be tested on full-scale turbines in the field,” Dr. Pao said. “The wind energy industry is already expressing interest, and we believe these advancements could have a significant impact.”

Beyond the technical achievements, the collaboration with ForWind continues to thrive. The partnership has facilitated ongoing exchanges, such as the current work of Juan Boullosa, a master’s student from Oldenburg University, who is contributing to wind field forecasting and optimization algorithms in Pao’s lab at 91¸ŁŔűÉç through the Europe-Colorado Program.

The intersection of advanced control systems and renewable energy continues to offer groundbreaking opportunities for innovation and global collaboration. Reflecting on the award, Pao expressed gratitude for the recognition. 

“It’s a celebration of collaborative effort and the potential for meaningful impact, so it’s a tremendous honor.”

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Bob Erickson, a professor of electrical, computer and energy engineering at 91¸ŁŔűÉç, was recently named a —the highest faculty rank bestowed by the university.

Known for his pioneering contributions to power electronics and his dedication to education, Erickson reflects on his career, research and the evolving landscape of engineering education in this Q&A.

When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in academia?

It wasn’t a straightforward path. I always knew I wanted to be an electrical engineer. It wasn’t until the second half of my graduate studies that I began to seriously consider academia. At the time, power electronics wasn’t a widely recognized field in academia. It was niche, with only a few conferences and no dedicated journals or societies. Back then, power electronics wasn’t even considered its own discipline in most electrical engineering departments. When I came to 91¸ŁŔűÉç, there was no power electronics program—just traditional power systems. Building something from scratch was a challenge, but it was also incredibly rewarding.

Over your career, what has been the most fulfilling aspect of being a professor?

It’s hard to choose just one! From the research side, it’s been amazing to see the growth of power electronics. What started as a niche area is now a critical field, impacting everything from cell phones to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. I’ve worked on diverse projects—early electric vehicles with General Motors and Toyota, wind power converters, solar power innovations and even tiny inverters that fit into solar roof shingles. It’s nice to see the practical applications of our work influencing real-world technologies.

Erickson is a pioneering figure in power electronics whose innovative research has transformed the field and set new standards for efficiency and performance in electric vehicles, as well as in inverters for solar power, wind power and battery energy storage systems. His development of composite power converter architectures has redefined the capabilities of power electronics, leading to the creation of BREK Electronics, a successful CU spinoff where Erickson serves as Chief Technology Officer. His work has not only driven technological advancements but has also shaped the trajectory of the industry through his collaborations with government and industry partners. His research has been recognized through awards including the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) William E Newell Award, Life Fellow of the IEEE, the 91¸ŁŔűÉç Inventor of the Year and others.

Erickson’s impact on education is equally significant. His textbook, Fundamentals of Power Electronics, has become a foundational resource for engineers and educators worldwide. His dedication to advancing digital education is evident in his leadership in founding and development of the Coursera-based MS-EE program, the first fully online MS-EE degree program, with highly innovative features such as performance-based admissions that are revolutionizing access to professional education and setting a benchmark for online learning in engineering. He led the development of a Massive Open Online Course and a Coursera Specialization in Power Electronics that reached over 100,000 learners worldwide.

In addition to his research and educational contributions, Erickson has provided exceptional service to 91¸ŁŔűÉç, serving as ECEE Department Chair three times, and also guiding the university’s online and professional graduate programs through critical periods of growth. His leadership has positioned 91¸ŁŔűÉç as a leader in distance education, ensuring the success and continued expansion of its programs in Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics. Erickson’s enduring contributions to research, education and leadership have had a lasting impact on the field and the university.

On the teaching side, I’m particularly proud of the professional master’s programs we’ve developed. These programs meet the needs of working engineers and provide pathways for students who might not otherwise have access to traditional graduate education. The online courses through Coursera have been a revolutionary—reaching thousands of students globally and showing the transformative power of education.

Speaking of online education, you were an early adopter of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). How has that experience shaped your teaching philosophy?

MOOCs were a game-changer. When 91¸ŁŔűÉç partnered with Coursera, my power electronics course was one of the first we launched. I was blown away when 45,000 people signed up. Running the course multiple times, with forums buzzing in multiple languages, was humbling. The most rewarding part was reaching people who wouldn’t otherwise have access to this education—working parents, professionals and even stay-at-home parents looking to learn. It demonstrated the potential of online platforms, and it’s been exciting to see the university build on that foundation with full degree programs.

Your research spans several industries. What has been the most fulfilling aspect of that work?

Seeing power electronics evolve from a niche field into a cornerstone of modern technology has been incredible. When I started, it was all about things like computer power supplies and aerospace systems. Over time, I’ve worked on electric vehicles, solar power, wind energy and energy storage systems. For example, I collaborated on early hybrid electric vehicle projects, helped develop tiny inverters for solar shingles in Silicon Valley and worked on large-scale solar and battery storage solutions. Power electronics now touch everything, from cell phones to wind turbines, and it’s rewarding to have contributed to that growth.

What’s next for the world of power electronics?

Power electronics is really about bringing sophisticated control to electrical power—at scales ranging from fractions of a watt to gigawatts. It’s fundamental to innovations like the smart grid and electric vehicles. Power electronics is all about improving the efficiency and control of electrical power across scales—from tiny devices to massive infrastructure. It’s integral to electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and grid modernization. I see even greater integration of electronics into power applications. Smart grids, for instance, are still a bit nebulous as a concept, but power electronics will be at the heart of making those systems work. The field is constantly evolving, and that’s what keeps it exciting.

You co-founded Breck Electronics. How has that experience shaped your perspective?

Starting Breck Electronics was unexpected. It came out of an ARPA-E project where commercialization was strongly encouraged. Although I initially took a backseat role, I became more involved over time. It’s been a journey full of challenges and successes, from developing unique products to navigating ups and downs in the startup world.

Outside of your professional work, what are some of your personal interests?

I enjoy cooking with my wife and exploring culinary experiences. In my earlier days, I was very involved in music—playing instruments like clarinet, guitar, bassoon and piano. Even though I don’t play much anymore, I still enjoy listening to classical music and seeking out great restaurants during our travels.

What does this honor of being named a Distinguished Professor mean to you?

It’s a very nice recognition from the university. It acknowledges not just my work but the contributions of everyone who supported me along the way.

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