February 5, 2013
4:30-6:00 PM
Sugar Maple Ballroom
Dudley H. Davis Center
University of Vermont

All are welcome.

Abstract:
Wind power is a clean, renewable source of energy used around the world for more than two thousand years. Today, wind turbines of all sizes generate electricity for microgrids, net metering and utility scale generation.  Northern Power Systems is a Vermont company that has been in the wind business since 1974, developing advanced, innovative wind turbines. The Company's proven, next generation permanent magnet direct drive (PM/DD) wind turbine technology is based on a vastly simplified architecture that utilizes a unique combination of a permanent magnet generator and direct-drive design. This revolutionary approach uses fewer moving parts, delivers higher energy capture, and provides increased reliability due to reduced maintenance and downtime costs. The Company currently manufactures the NPS. 60 and 100 turbines, designed specifically for distributed wind, net metering and feed-in tariff applications. Northern Power also provides technical consulting, design services and technology licensing to both wind and other energy markets through Northern Power Systems Technologies (NPST). NPST has an experienced team with a demonstrated record of success in renewables technology, power conversion, grid interconnection, and microgrid systems. Since 2011, NPST has had two NPS 2.3 MW wind turbines in successful operation in Michigan.  This talk will describe how Northern Power Systems is addressing the economic, political and technical challenges associated with wind power on a global level to benefit people and communities. The presentation will be multidisciplinary in nature and accessible to general audiences, including non-technical audiences.

Jonathan Lynch is the Chief Technology Officer for Northern Power Systems. Jonathan joined Northern Power Systems in September 1980 and has taken an active role in all aspects of power system design including mechanical and electrical subsystems, and has a strong knowledge of high-reliability, hybrid power systems and distributed generation technology. He has directed numerous R&D programs funded by agencies such as National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Science Foundation, and NASA. Prior to joining Northern Power, Mr. Lynch was employed as a design engineer at Carrier Corporation, modeling and designing high-performance refrigeration systems for transportation applications. Mr. Lynch graduated with honors from Stevens Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering degree.

 James Jennings is the Director of Global Marketing and Product Management for Northern Power Systems where he leads teams for marketing, market analysis, product management and innovation. He is responsible for market strategy, pricing, market intelligence, competitive strategy and advocacy including energy policy at the federal, state and regional level. Prior to Northern Power, James worked at Green Mountain Coffee and as a management consultant to global companies in the automotive, healthcare, telecommunications and business machines sectors. He has degrees from Grinnell College and the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. He also has studied at the Hochschule St Gallen, Switzerland and the Albert LudwigsUnivesity in Germany.