Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
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Erica Owen

McCall,ID

Summary

Wind energy professional with a physics background, specializing in advanced controls and comprehensive wind data analysis. Leveraging strong technical programming skills and field expertise to deliver innovative solutions for complex wind environments. Demonstrated success in sustainability projects and energy efficiency initiatives with a scientific approach to problem-solving. Passionate about renewable energy.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Controls Engineer

Windlift
06.2021 - Current
  • Conducted wind site characterization and suitability assessment using LiDAR and SODAR data, evaluating site-specific conditions to determine optimal operational parameters for test flights
  • Implemented IEC 61400 turbulence specifications in simulator and control solutions to successfully operate under those conditions
  • Developed in flight wind speed and direction estimation, making long term flights in a dynamic wind environment possible
  • Authored scripts for LiDAR data processing/analysis and integration with system data sets
  • Presented complex wind/flight analysis findings to cross-functional teams, translating technical data into actionable insights for flight operations and system development
  • Utilized TurbSim to develop wind fields to use in flight simulator and represent various test locations
  • Architected control algorithms for autonomous flying, including position tracking, speed control, and a learning algorithm to improve flight performance
  • Improved flight simulator by adding various aerodynamic and mechanical models
  • Analyzed flight data and recreated flights in in house simulator

Field Geophysicist – Crew Chief & Operator

DIAS Geophysical
09.2017 - 08.2019
  • Conducted IP surveys worldwide for a variety of clients
  • Completed quality control during data acquisition (monitored signal in receivers and transmitters, noise & EM coupling)
  • Processed data sets to create pseudosections of resistivity and chargeability
  • Generated detailed maps and GPS stations for survey grids using QGIS
  • Interacted with clients to ensure survey goals & safety goals were met
  • Lead field crews in daily IP surveys – grid set up, data production, and pick up

Math and Physics Tutor

Tutordoctor & self-employed
11.2009 - 04.2015
  • Tutored high school students in physics and math
  • Met weekly or bi-weekly to go over homework, tests, and explain difficult concepts

Education

Master of Science - Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

University of Calgary
Calgary, AB, Canada
06-2021

Bachelor of Science - Physics And Earth Sciences (Geophysics)

University of Victoria
Victoria, BC, Canada
01.2017

Skills

  • Wind site characterization
  • Wind energy data analysis
  • System troubleshooting
  • Resource forecasting
  • C, Python, MATLAB, MS Office
  • IEC standards knowledge
  • Field work/debugging/data acquisition
  • In-depth TurbSim knowledge
  • Control systems
  • Aerodynamics

Hobbies and Interests

  • Trail running
  • Backcountry skiing
  • Lifelong learner

Timeline

Controls Engineer

Windlift
06.2021 - Current

Field Geophysicist – Crew Chief & Operator

DIAS Geophysical
09.2017 - 08.2019

Math and Physics Tutor

Tutordoctor & self-employed
11.2009 - 04.2015

Master of Science - Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

University of Calgary

Bachelor of Science - Physics And Earth Sciences (Geophysics)

University of Victoria

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Erica Owen