NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma has a new Bergey wind turbine, the latest in a suite of industrial-scale equipment housed at the university’s OpenLab. The equipment allows for system-level studies on hybrid energy systems combining wind power with solar, batteries or other renewables.
“Oklahoma's abundant wind energy resources make it an ideal location for advancing renewable energy technologies. With the recent installation of a wind turbine at our lab facility, we are exploring opportunities to effectively utilize wind energy in diverse settings and integrate it with other energy systems, such as hydrogen production technologies.,” said Pejman Kazempoor, director of the lab and a professor in the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.
The OpenLab at OU supports energy-related research and hosts large-scale equipment from different industries, including wind turbines, solar panels and large-scale industrial engines.
Researchers are using the lab to analyze the environmental impact of wind turbine operations, including noise pollution and land-use studies, which benefit ecological science. The facility can also be used to study the economic feasibility of wind energy projects, cost reduction strategies and the impact of government policy on renewable energy adoption.
“Our team specializes in developing integrated sustainable energy systems, and the wind turbine will help us explore new opportunities to create high-efficiency, low-emission energy technologies," Kazempoor said. "Researchers from various disciplines can also utilize the wind turbine setup for a wide range of studies. We aim for the OpenLab to serve as a resource where faculty members can access the data they need for their research.
The technology also provides undergraduate students with hands-on learning opportunities to understand how these emerging energy technologies operate. Students can enroll in experimental elective courses to join lab research projects and gain experience working with industry-scale equipment.
To learn more about the research happening at the OpenLab, visit secm.tech/research.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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