About the Program
Iowa State University offers
an intensive 10-week on-campus research program in Wind Energy Science,
Engineering, and Policy (WESEP) for undergraduate students. Ten
fellowships are sponsored each year by the National Science Foundation’s
(NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Students
will work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams with faculty and
graduate students to receive training and get hands-on research
experience in areas that address critical, long-term national needs in
wind energy-related areas.
The program pays for on-campus housing and a meal plan for students accepted into this program. Students also will receive up to $600 of travel expenses to and from Ames and a $5,000 stipend. Outside of the research experience, social events with other REU students at Iowa State also will be available.
The program pays for on-campus housing and a meal plan for students accepted into this program. Students also will receive up to $600 of travel expenses to and from Ames and a $5,000 stipend. Outside of the research experience, social events with other REU students at Iowa State also will be available.
Program Timeline
Program Dates: May 28 – August 3, 2013
• Application Deadline: Applications must be received by March 8 to guarantee consideration.
• Notifications of acceptance begins: April 1, 2013
• Application Deadline: Applications must be received by March 8 to guarantee consideration.
• Notifications of acceptance begins: April 1, 2013
Program Highlights
One-on-one mentoring: Each
student is assigned a faculty mentor for weekly meetings and a member
of the research team who will serve as a daily contact person.
Immersive research experience: Each
student will participate in an individual research project within the
faculty-led team. Research projects will focus on one of four areas:
wind energy resource characterization and aerodynamic loads; wind energy
conversion systems and grid operations; manufacturing, construction,
and supply chain; or reliability and turbine health monitoring.
Core training: Students
will attend short-course on wind energy science, engineering, and
policy topics led by faculty and senior researchers, as well as
participate in workshops with faculty, to provide a broad knowledge base
in wind energy science, engineering, and policy.
Field trips: Students
will go on several field trips to operating wind farms, turbine and
blade manufacturing, and other wind energy-related companies in Iowa.
Industry networking: Each
week students will attend “Brown Bag Lunch and Learn” sessions where
industry experts from national laboratories, wind turbine manufacturers,
wind farm developers and operators, wind turbine construction
companies, maintenance providers, weather prediction consultants,
electric utilities, independent service operators, and advocacy
organizations will make presentations and engage in discussions about
wind energy topics with students.
Publish research results: Each
participant will produce three high-quality resume items: a research
poster, a publish-quality research paper, and a presentation at the REU
Symposium (http://www.meteor.iastate.edu/windresearch/resources/Binder1.pdf) as products of this experience.
Access to state-of-the-art laboratories:students
will have access to simulation tools to design and optimize inspection
methods for wind turbine blades and gearbox components, as well as
regional weather forecast models and data sources. Students also will
have access to Iowa State’s state-of-the-art research laboratories,
including the:
· Wind Engineering and Experimental Aerodynamics Lab
· Alternate Energy Grid Infrastructure Systems Lab
· Wind Energy Manufacturing Lab
· Wind Simulation and Testing Laboratory
· Center for Nondestructive Evaluation
· Polymer Composite Laboratory
· structural testing laboratory
· Aerodynamic/Atmospheric Boundary Layer Wind and Gust Tunnel
· Climate Science Program’s computing clusters for short-term forecasting and climate analysis
· Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Facilities
Learn more about:
Eligibility
All applicants must:
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Be an undergraduate student in good standing
• Have completed 4 college-level courses in physical sciences, engineering, or mathematics
• Agree to participate in the full 10-week period of the program
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Be an undergraduate student in good standing
• Have completed 4 college-level courses in physical sciences, engineering, or mathematics
• Agree to participate in the full 10-week period of the program
Contact Us
For questions about the program or application procedure, e-mail windreu@iastate.edu.
