David Wood

Biography

David Wood holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sydney, and a PhD in Aeronautics from Imperial College, London.  His main research interests are in small wind turbines and other forms of renewable energy.  His book Small Wind Turbines was published by Springer in 2011.  Prior to joining the University of Calgary  as Professor of renewable Energy in February, 2010, he was part-owner and technical director of Aerogenesis Australia, a company commercializing the small wind turbine technology he helped to develop over many years at the University of Newcastle.  At the University of Calgary, he monitors, models and predicts the urban wind resource to support the installation of small wind turbines and photovoltaic installations in Calgary and other urban areas.  Other research areas include generator and control system modelling and development, multi-dimensional optimization of turbine blade design, solar and wind resource forecasting, and remote power systems.  He has a strong interest in renewable energy for developing countries and is currently working on three projects in Nepal: on novel methods of controlling micro-hydro turbines, performance monitoring of hybrid remote power systems and the use of bamboo for small wind turbine towers and blades.  Since 2012 he lectured on wind turbine design and renewable energy in Ethiopia during four separate visits.

Research Interest

 Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautics, Renewable Energy, Wind Turbines and Remote Power Systems.