May 2018
ARTICLES
Skill is just the beginning
Iowa Lakes Community College teaches its future wind technicians more than just how to repair turbines.
Building a professional workforce is an essential, but often overlooked, component of wind-energy development. Thanks to private landowners in the heartland, wind-energy development is now a mainstay in rural communities that needed a modern hedge against agricultural and fossil fuel volatility. “Our diplomas represent more than degrees,” said recent graduate John Kleppinger. “They represent drive, […]
Competency-based training
The Wind Turbine Technician Academy at Kalamazoo Valley Community College teaches master skills that are highly sought after in the wind-energy industry.
Creating an educated workforce skilled to meet the demands of a changing economy is the focus at Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Groves Campus. Originally opened in 2001 as one of 18 M-TEC facilities across the state, the Groves Center was financed by a $5 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, plus $6 million […]
Rising Costs of Wind O&M and the Importance of the Human Factor
Advanced mobile and cloud-information technology can be a potent tool in helping wind technicians and their managers get better results.
As fleets age and the cost of wind-energy O&M rises, wind-farm owners and operators look far and wide for ways to achieve efficiency. In this article we look at the importance of the human factor and examine key challenges faced by companies and their employees. We look at how readily available advanced mobile and cloud-information […]
