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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder, 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder through the Europe-ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder, 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder, 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder, 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder 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 ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder 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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Undergraduate student, Dulguun Baatarkhuyag, from the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering (ECEE) has earned the fall 2024 Perseverance award from the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

The Perseverance award recognizes undergraduate students who persevere despite adversity – above and beyond the inherent perseverance needed in any engineering major. This honor is awarded to seniors who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions and achievements.

Major

Electrical Engineering

Post Graduation Plans

My goals after graduation would be to work in research and development of devices that help us live longer, healthier and happier. We are biological machines gifted with a limited time to experience and appreciate the universe we live in, and unfortunately some of us are unfairly given a much shorter time. I’d like to have a career that tipped the scales in our favor against this injustice.

What are some of your favorite aspects about the ECEE department during your undergraduate career?

My favorite aspect of the ECEE department is being surrounded every day by brilliant people working on potentially groundbreaking projects in high-tech labs. Behind any door in the ECEE wing, researchers might be working on the next big invention that changes how we see the world—whether it’s through better Earth observation satellites, advances in the semiconductor industry or new industries whose potential we haven’t even fully recognized yet.

What about electrical engineering excites you?

What got me into electrical engineering in the first place is that you get to understand the inner machinations of almost every device you come across in this day in age. “This object that we made moves from point A to point B,” but why did it do that? What compelled this inanimate collection of silicon, metals and plastics to just decide to do what we want it to do? And, after years of studying electrical engineering, I can, but not with 100% certainty, explain why it does what it does. It might not be the answer to the ultimate question of life, but it gets pretty close. It helps me appreciate the complexity and elegance of each gadget that humans have invented, as well as respect the engineers who poured their time, energy and soul into these devices.

How did you overcome some of the challenges you faced during your undergraduate journey?

I have spent a considerable amount of time working on myself in terms of mental health. My first instinct was to try to fix the problem from an engineering standpoint, but human brains are unfortunately far more complex than even the most advanced computers. I can research and understand the neurochemical reactions, psychological phenomena and find what’s likely causing the issue, but it’s like trying to fix a car engine as you’re driving it. I’m not a “mechanic” (i.e., a mental health professional) and I am obviously heavily biased because my brain is trying to see what’s wrong with itself and fix it. Sure, you can go on a spiritual journey, introspection, meditation and read all the self-help and philosophy books, but it’s easiest to just talk to a professional and get a second opinion. That’s why I am very thankful to the people who work at Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS). They have been incredibly helpful in helping me navigate my own mind, its blind zones and biases.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not busy with your studies?

I like playing simulator type games. Flight simulators are my favorite, but I also enjoy rally racing simulators. When I feel a little homesick, I like to fly over my hometown and pretend I came by for a visit with my own private plane or helicopter. I enjoy the technical aspect of it too; the engineering that went into the control systems of an airplane, the physics and aerodynamics of an aircraft, the radio communication protocols, safety protocols and emergency procedures. They are all very interesting.

What is your piece of advice for incoming engineering students?

My advice for them would be to have a very broad and general goal in life when starting university. To elaborate, you are a set of particles in a chain reaction that has been going on since the Big Bang, and in a small subset of this existence, you are conscious and get to experience human life. It sounds absurd and you could be just observing this chaos with no clear-cut direction of what you’re supposed to do, which is why I advise you to have a broad and general goal. Not a highly specific XYZ coordinate point, but a unit vector that points towards a general goal. Because a unit vector gives you two important bits of information: one, is that you are the origin, at coordinates (0,0,0) and the other, is that you know where to go from where you are. There will be obstructions in your way and it’s fine. Just go around it or through it, but don’t lose the vector. Maybe you’ve changed your mind and view of the world. Adjust the vector and keep going! Problems pile up when you have a hard-set point as a goal and B-line towards it while feeling bad every moment that you are not where you want to be and feel even worse if you miss the target. With a unit vector, you will always know that you’re going the right way even if life keeps throwing you off-axis.

What is your favorite memory at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder?

My favorite memory at ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ Boulder would be me realizing that I can seriously troubleshoot and fix broken devices that I own using the knowledge I got from the university. “Oh, my computer isn’t booting up with the new CPU I installed.” Every component is compatible, and I didn’t see any mechanical issues so it’s likely software, specifically the BIOS being a problem. And it was! “Oh, the electric motor on my bike isn’t working.” This is probably because the speed sensor fell off and the controller was thinking I'm always moving from a standstill. So, it gave a lot more current and torque to the motor which chewed up the reduction gear inside. I open the motor and the nylon gear is destroyed!

Aside from academia, I’ve made so many great friends, colleagues and mentors at Boulder. We’ve made memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and I am incredibly thankful to all of them.

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Ever wonder who’s behind the scenes at the Olympics, the most broadcasted sporting event in the world?

Noah Bernstein, a third-year electrical and computer engineering student, spent 11 exhilarating weeks at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a venue engineering intern with NBŷ���ڱ���Ƶniversal, working alongside electrical and audio engineers to ensure every broadcast—including opening ceremonies, competitions and medal ceremonies—went off without a hitch.

“It was 100% the internship of a lifetime. I was beyond lucky,” said Bernstein. “Although my work was just a drop in this massive system, working with NBC’s engineering department in Paris was so fascinating, and it was amazing to see how smoothly the entire operation ran.”

‘Countless’ engineers

Billed as the , nearly 2,000 NBŷ���ڱ���Ƶniversal production crews, operations and engineering teams worked together to provide 7,000 hours of coverage for the Paris Olympics. Viewership spanned broadcast, cable and streaming channels for a total of 3,200 live events across their television portfolio, which included NBC Sports, Peacock and USA Network.

“It’s easy to forget just how many incredible minds are behind these games. One may not immediately think about the engineers at the Olympics when you turn on the TV,” Bernstein said. “This experience has made me appreciate the countless engineers working behind every camera and broadcast.”

Stationed at the International Broadcast Center where NBC was located, Bernstein assisted engineers in the setup and testing of broadcast equipment to make sure electronic systems were fully operational for the international event.

His hands-on work included configuring and testing essential broadcast systems, building custom cables and managing inventory. Additionally, he contributed to the integration and testing of advanced fiber optic systems, signal converters and video routers, all while participating in daily training sessions led by industry experts that deepened his understanding of complex broadcast infrastructures.

One of his favorite parts of the internship was fine-tuning his soldering skills. He learned the process used to join metal components together in his applications of embedded systems class. He also worked on cable termination and assembling microphones.

“When I had to be on-call and deliver technical equipment to venues, I occasionally popped my head in to see the games happening,” said Bernstein.

Interning at the Olympics was a grind, but during his free time, he visited a few chateaus by train and explored the beautiful architecture of Paris. He also watched some athletics events, such as boxing and men’s gymnastics and walked to where Team USA was housed.

Bernstein even got to meet some women rugby players and gymnasts. One final perk to make this internship experience even more worth it was watching the Closing Ceremonies.

Olympic Spirit

While the Olympic Games celebrate the spirit of competition among the world’s greatest athletes, the collaborative effort to broadcast these events to billions had a magic of its own.

“A really special part of the experience was working with people from all over the world. NBC has people from different nationalities working for them,” said Bernstein.

“I got to meet people who worked on the Rio and Sochi games, so this truly was an international and special experience.” 

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