Creating advancements in wind energy, right here in western Mass

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - A first-of-its kind event is taking place at UMass Amherst. There, academics and researchers are inaugurating a new group designed to create advancements in the growing energy field.

The North American Wind Energy Academy brings together universities, research laboratories, businesses, and graduate students.

Nearly 100 of them met Tuesday for the group's first conference as an academy. James Manwell, director of the UMass Wind Energy Center told 22News that there are still many challenges they need to address before wind energy replaces fossil fuels.

“When you have a very large number of wind turbines and you want to integrate them into the electrical network, sometimes the wind blows, sometimes it doesn't blow, and you have to structure your system in such a way that conventional fuels plus wind can supply all of the electrical load,” Manwell said.

He said that the workshops will help create the next generation of researchers, engineers and scientists, who will turn wind energy from a niche market to a large-scale movement. The conference will run until Thursday.