» Because we work with inspired people, our gratitude goes to:

Massachusetts U.S. Senator, Edward Markey, for his support in the recent effort that successfully passed the PTC through Congress. Markey also had a hand in shaping what could have been a National Renewable Energy Standard.

Wind pioneer Palmer Carlin, who worked at NREL in its early days to help establish what eventually became the Lab’s National Wind Technology Center. Carlin’s early work provided guidance on electrical systems and variable-speed turbine technology.

Founder of Romax Technology Ltd and bearing specialist Dr. Peter Poon, for building the company that provides independent bearing and gearbox analysis. Recently, NREL announced testing on an advanced drivetrain that was made possible with input from three companies, Romax among them.

Engineer and software developer, Liz Walls, for creating a new and more accurate approach to wind-flow modeling. She recently launched Version 2.0 of the Continuum software, which differs from other wind-flow models in that it incorporates all met data simultaneously into one model.

Founder of the Wind Engineering, Energy, and Environment (WindEEE) Research Institute, Dr. Horia Hangan is a Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at Western University and the Director of the WindEEE Dome. The Dome is the world’s first 3D testing chamber that can reproduce and study the impact of complex wind systems.

Wind advocate, Karen Conover, who has served on the AWEA Board of Directors since 1995, and is VP of DNV GL, a global risk-management company with multiple wind-energy advisory and certification offices. Conover has also acted as a Board Member for Women of Wind Energy since it first incorporated in 2005.