This is an excerpt from the Second Quarter 2013 edition of the Wind Program R&D Newsletter.

Chicago, Illinois—The Women of Wind Energy (WoWE) honored Ian Baring-Gould, Wind Powering America's National Technical Director, and Dr. Julie Lundquist, assistant professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, with a joint appointment at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), for their contributions to the wind industry and the advancement of women in the field.

Baring-Gould received the Champion Award at the WoWE annual luncheon at the WINDPOWER Conference in Chicago on May 7. The award honors "an individual who has significantly contributed to the advancement of women in the field of renewable energy through mentoring and professional development that goes beyond expectations as well as advocating for workplace practices that support women in a manner that fosters a path forward." Through his work with DOE's Wind Powering America initiative, the Wind for Schools project, workforce development activities, and other projects, Baring-Gould recognizes the importance of the wind industry to be broadly engaged and has consistently encouraged the involvement of women and minorities. "The development of a robust and long-term wind energy industry is going to take a combined effort that brings many different skills, viewpoints, and visions together," said Ian of this award. "Through the support of leaders at the Department of Energy for initiatives like Wind for Schools and my work with many brilliant and talented women in the wind industry, I have been lucky enough to spur this engagement, which I feel led directly to this great honor."

Dr. Julie Lundquist received WoWE's Rising Star Award. "This award is given to women who are relatively new to wind energy and are already making significant professional contributions by demonstrating unusual talent, dedication, and innovation in renewable energy work." Julie's work at NREL, and previously at DOE's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, revealed how turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer affects wind resource assessment and wind energy forecasting. Her work extends beyond traditional academia and focuses on how use of meteorological measurements and forecasting tools can revolutionize wind resource assessment.