Students in at least two programs on Southeast Community College’s Milford Campus soon will begin utilizing a new piece of equipment in their curriculum.
On Feb. 22, six Nebraska Public Power District employees donated their time to help install a 1.6-killowatt wind turbine on a 45-foot tower on the west side of campus. The turbine, similar to the one on SCC’s Lincoln Campus, will benefit students in SCC’s Energy Generation Operations program, as well as the Electrical & Electromechanical Technology program.
“We chose this model because it has a built-in Wi-Fi chip that will transmit data to our classroom,” said John Pierce, chair of the Energy Generation Operations program. “The students will analyze data such as the approximate wind speed, electrical output, and the voltage and current levels.”
The wind turbine was made possible by a grant through the Nebraska Energy Office. SCC, Central, Mid-Plains, Northeast, and Western Nebraska community colleges each received $318,333 to develop renewable energy curricula to train Nebraskans in renewable energy technologies. The five schools also combined their curriculum efforts. Funds originated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Objectives are to create new jobs and increase productivity to spur economic growth and community development by providing training and instruction in renewable energy methods and technologies; implement renewable energy curricula that will result in increased energy generation from renewable technologies in Nebraska; and evaluate and assess the outcomes and impact of the renewable energy climate.
Ken Reinsch, chair of SCC’s Electrical & Electromechanical Technology program, said his students also would benefit from working with the wind turbine.
“We study all types of energy generation,” Reinsch said. “Wind is the prime mover here, so we’ll see how it compares to other types of energy. Plus, if any of our graduates get a job in an energy-generating facility, they’ll have a better understanding of this technology.”
Joel Jacobs, renewable energy coordinator for the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, also assisted with the installation. Jacobs has worked closely with SCC throughout the life of the grant, which ends in March.
“It started with Wind for Schools, a federal program that began at the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colo.,” Jacobs said. “The challenge is to produce 20 percent of our energy with wind by 2030. What is that going to look like? Who will fill those jobs? That’s where schools come into play.”
The Wind for Schools Project, launched in 2005, is supported by 11 states, including Nebraska. Jacobs said 20 wind turbines have been installed throughout the state, mainly on the grounds of rural school districts. He said another eight to 10 were in the process of being installed.
“Relatively the same equipment is being installed across Nebraska,” Jacobs said. “What’s neat about that is the sharing and comparison of data from all over the state.”
The turbine installed will generate a maximum of 1.6 kilowatts of energy, enough to run a hair dryer. Pierce said that although the turbine will be tied into the Milford Campus electrical grid, it is intended for educational purposes.
The foundation to support the turbine was poured in November, and the pre-wiring also was completed ahead of the installation. Pierce praised NPPD for its continued collaboration with SCC.
“They’ve contributed an enormous amount of time and effort to our program,” he said. “I can’t say enough about NPPD and the positive relationship we have with them, as well as our other energy partners.”
Southwest Windpower manufactured the turbine, and Valmont Industries of Valley constructed the tower.
SCC’s Energy Generation Operations program started its first class of 20 students in January 2011. In addition to a wind focus, the program also is designed to train operators for nuclear power plants, fossil-fueled power plants and biofuels facilities such as ethanol generation and biodiesel plants. The first group of students is scheduled to graduate in June. Persons interested in more information about the program are asked to contact Pierce at 402-761-8394 or [email protected].