AOSC Seminar by Julie Lundquist, 04/02/2026
AOSC Seminar
Julie Lundquist
Johns Hopkins University
Title
New insights into atmosphere-wind energy interactions via virtual lidar and multiscale modeling
Abstract
Recent rapid advances in observational capabilities (i.e. scanning lidar) and simulation capabilities (i.e. nested mesoscale-large-eddy simulations) are opening opportunities for new insights in boundary-layer meteorology, moving away from idealized conditions and grappling with realistic heterogenous flow conditions. Fusing advances in modeling and observation together can optimize how we design and conduct field experiments to answer critical scientific questions. We have developed a virtual lidar approach and integrated it with nested mesoscale-large eddy simulations to investigate atmospheric boundary layer phenomena. This talk will highlight our investigations of wind turbine wakes and their behavior in complex terrain (Robey and Lundquist, 2024) as well as whether or not stable boundary layer phenomena such as upwind blockage can be assessed with current measurement capabilities (Sanchez Gomez et al. 2022), related to the Perdigão and AWAKEN field experiments. This open-source virtual lidar tool, coupled with simulations, can provide a means for assessing measurement capabilities in advance of measurement campaigns.
Bio
Prof. Lundquist leads an interdisciplinary research group at Johns Hopkins University, with a joint appointment at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory). Her research group uses observational and computational approaches to understand the atmospheric boundary layer, with emphasis on atmospheric influences on energy such as wind turbine productivity, wind turbine wake dynamics, and downwind impacts of wind energy. Before joining JHU, Dr. Lundquist designed and led energy projects at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and led a research group at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her Ph.D. is in Astrophysical, Planetary, and Atmospheric Science from the University of Colorado Boulder, as is her M.S. degree. She studied English and Physics as an undergraduate at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas. She has authored or co-authored over 150 refereed publications and over 200 conference presentations. Her recent research focuses on offshore wind farm wakes and marine boundary layer dynamics (DOE WFIP3), interactions between offshore energy infrastructure and hurricanes (OWIND), and onshore wind farm wakes (through the DOE AWAKEN project). Beyond wind energy, her research projects include assessment of dissipation rate in the atmospheric boundary layer (NSF-CAREER), flow in complex terrain (NSF: Perdigão), and improving simulation capabilities for wildfire (DOI) and urban fires (OPP). She is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (2020) and received the NSF CAREER award (2016).
Contact
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AOSC Seminar
Pre-seminar refreshment: N/A
Seminar: 3:30-4:30pm, Room: ATL 2400(only when in-person)
Meet-the-Speaker: 4:30-5:00pm, Room: ATL 3400(only when in-person) [For AOSC Students only]
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