Melinda works to identify ways that offshore wind can enable and shape the transformation of the current power system to one that is sustainable, low-cost and reliable. This involves interconnection capacity, cost characterization, regional transmission expansion requirements, assessments of the impacts and value of offshore wind to the grid, power system production costs, characterization of resource adequacy contributions, system reliability and resilience.
Research Interests
Comparing the status quo of offshore wind (OSW) transmission approach (generator-lead-line) to meshed networks and backbones that connect multiple OSW plants to the onshore grid
Grid services that OSW can provide
Offshore atmospheric science
Education
Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, University of Colorado
B.A., Psychology, University of Colorado
Professional Experience
Program Manager, NOAA (2009–2020)
Science Program Analyst, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences/CU (2007–2009)
Deputy Director, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change/Working Group 1 (2005–2007)
Associations and Memberships
Member, American Meteorological Society
Featured Work
Grand Challenges in the Science of Wind Energy, Science (2019)
The Second Wind Forecast Improvement Project (WFIP2): General Overview, BAMS (2019)
The Second Wind Forecast Improvement Project (WFIP2): Observational Field Campaign, BAMS (2019)
Improving Wind Energy Forecasting Through Numerical Weather Model Development, BAMS (2019) .
Results of IEA Wind TCP Workshop on a Grand Vision for Wind Energy Technology, IEA Wind TCP Task 11 Technical Report (2019)
Evaluating and Improving NWP Forecast Models for the Future: How the Needs of Offshore Wind Energy Can Point the Way, BAMS (2018)
Wide-Area Planning of Energy Infrastructure: Assessing Investment Options for Low-Carbon Futures, IEEE Power & Energy Magazine (2017)
Offshore wind speed estimates from a high-resolution rapidly-updating numerical weather prediction model forecast dataset, Wind Energy (2017)
Assessment of NWP Forecast Models in Simulating Offshore Winds Through the Lower Boundary Layer by Measurements from a Ship-Based Scanning Doppler Lidar, Monthly Weather Review (2017)
The Vital Need for a Climate Information System, Nature Climate Change (2016)
A Unified High-Resolution Wind and Solar Dataset from a Rapidly Updating Numerical Weather Prediction Model, Renewable Energy (2017).
Properties of the Offshore Low-Level Jet and Rotor Layer Wind Shear as Measured by Scanning Doppler Lidar, Wind Energy (2016)
Solar Forecasting: Methods, Challenges, and Performance, IEEE Power & Energy Magazine (2015)
The Wind Forecast Improvement Project (WFIP): A Public-Private Partnership Addressing Wind Energy Forecast Needs, BAMS (2015)
Recent Trends in Variable Generation Forecasting and Its Value to the Power System, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy (2015)
Atmospheric Pressure, IEEE Power & Energy Magazine (2011)
Metrics and Collaborations are Key to Creating and Preserving New Observation Records, BAMS (2012)
Forecasting the Wind to Reach Significant Penetration Levels of Wind Energy, BAMS (2011)
For Better Integration, Improve the Forecast, Solar Today (2011)
Alerting the Public to Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Mitigation, EOS (2008)
Carbon Crucible, Science (2008)
Conference Marks Fiftieth Anniversary of Global CO2 Record, EOS (2007)
IPCC, 2007: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis: Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press (2007)
NASA EOS Sensors Demonstrate Potential for Multiparameter Studies of Arctic Sea Ice, EOS (2004)
Research Applications and Opportunities Using Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer- Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) Data, Proceedings of the International Society for Optical Engineering Symposium (2003)
Climate Change: A Primer, in Fundamentals of Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Cambridge University Press (2012)
Awards and Honors
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) Far West Regional Award for Outstanding Partnership, 2018
NOAA Technology Transfer Award, Improving Forecasts of Turbine-Height Winds and Solar Irradiance from the HRRR Weather Model to Improve Usage of Renewable Power by the Industry, 2017
Diversity and Inclusion Individual Award: NOAA Research, 2017
Achievement Award: Utility Variable Generation Integration Group
Contributions to the Wind Forecast Improvement Project, 2015
Achievement Award: Utility Variable Generation Integration Group
Leadership at NOAA on Wind Energy Forecasting, 2014
Member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace, 2007
Special Recognition Award, Joint Office for Science Support, UCAR, 2007
NASA Group Achievement Award: EOSDIS Data Centers Support Team, 2005
NASA Group Achievement Award: ICESat Mission Development Team, 2004
ADEOS-II NASA Ground Network Project Team, Outstanding Teamwork and Aqua Mission Team, 2003
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