David Matthiesen, Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Director, Wind Energy Research and Commercialization Center at Case Western Reserve University

Dear Colleagues:

On May 27, the Department of Energy announced plans to award $40 million to the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. (LEEDCo) to build a six turbine pilot wind farm, the “Icebreaker” project, in Lake Erie by the end of 2018.

DOE’s announcement was a major advance after years of effort both to develop appropriate technology for putting wind turbines in a lake that can freeze and to develop the political and commercial conditions to make the project likely to work. While this looks like dramatic progress, offshore wind power is a growing energy source in the UK, Germany, and other countries in Europe. Expansion of capacity has even caused worries about oversupply. In Ohio, meanwhile, environmentalists are raising concerns about dangers to birds; public comments about environmental impacts are being solicited through October 21.

What, then, does “Icebreaker” funding mean for the future of wind energy as part of the local economy and national energy policy? Is it the beginning of a U.S. version of Germany’s Energiewende – it’s “energy turn” away from fossil fuels?

All best regards,
Joe White
Luxenberg Family Professor of Public Policy and Director, Center for Policy Studies 

About Our Guests

Dr. David Matthiesen’s research focuses on the development of technologies in wind energy. He is the director of The Ohio Wind Energy Research and Commercialization (Ohio-WERC) Center. The WERC Center’s goal is to combine CWRU engineering expertise with funded facilities to provide platforms for the development of wind power supply chain products and long-term educational and training opportunities. Dr. Matthiesen analyzes the wind turbine located on CWRU’s campus and the effect surrounding buildings have on wind flow around the turbine site in order to improve turbine performance in urban areas. Additionally, Dr. Matthiesen is the research team leader for Lake Erie Energy Development Corp.’s (LEEDCo.) Project Icebreaker, which seeks to establish the first freshwater wind farm off the coast of Lake Erie. His work in wind power also includes measuring the interface strength of ice when it sticks to the turbine blades, which could help improve performance of turbines in temperate climates.

Where We Meet

The Friday Public Affairs Lunch convenes each Friday when classes are in session, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Our programs are open to all and no registration is required. We usually meet in the Dampeer Room of Kelvin Smith Library. The Dampeer Room is on the second floor of the library. If you get off the elevators, turn right, pass the first bank of tables, and turn right again. Occasionally we need to use a different room; that will always be announced in the weekly e-mails.

Parking Possibilities

The most convenient parking is the lot underneath Severance Hall. We regret that it is not free. From that lot there is an elevator up to street level (labeled as for the Thwing Center); it is less than 50 yards from that exit to the library entrance. You can get from the Severance garage to the library without going outside. Near the entry gates – just to the right if you were driving out – there is a door into a corridor. Walk down the corridor and there will be another door. Beyond that door you’ll find the entrance to an elevator which goes up to an entrance right inside the doors to Kelvin Smith Library.

Schedule of Friday Lunch Upcoming Topics and Speakers:

October 14: Living Black: Social Life in an African-American Neighborhood.. With Mark S. Fleisher, Research Professor, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. Alternate Location: Mather House Room 100.

October 21: The DARPA Robotics Challenge and the Future of Robotics. With Wyatt S. Newman, Professor of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering.

October 28: Macroeconomic Challenges for the Next Administration. With Mark S. Sniderman, Executive in Residence and Adjunct Professor of Economics, Weatherhead School of Management, and former Research Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

November 4: Biennial Political Science Department Pre-Election Forecast Discussion.

November 11: The Unrealized Promise of Libertarianism. With Gus Dizerega, Ph.D., independent political theorist.

November 18: Can Democracy Meet the Challenge of Polarization? With Mark Chupp, Assistant Professor, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Social Sciences.

November 25: Thanksgiving Break.

December 2: Putin’s Russia. With Kelly M. McMann, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director, International Studies Program.

December 9: Health Care Report Cards – Time for Second Thoughts? With J.B. Silvers, John R. Mannix Medical Mutual of Ohio Professor of Health Care Finance.