Training America’s Future Green-Collar Workers

Articles — By forcechange on December 30, 2008 9:57 am

Last month, Casper College (a two-year community college) in Wyoming opened a new wind turbine that will be used as a training tool to educate students in renewable energy classes for both technician training and educational purposes. 

The 6 kW turbine was installed on the historic Teapot Dome oil field north of Casper at the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center.  At 50 feet tall, the turbine is smaller than most commercial windmills.  However, this is intended to allow students a more hands-on experience.  In fact, the whole tower can pivot at the base and be lowered to the ground.  This allows students to engage in disassembly, maintenance, and study of the generator and other components.

Funding for this project comes from a $300,000 grant that was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy in January 2008.

Casper College president Walter Nolte stated, “I am pleased to say that Casper College is working on articulation agreements with the University of Wyoming, which will allow students to complete coursework in renewable resources or mechanical engineering, leading to advanced degrees.”

Renewable energy classes have been offered at Casper College for several years and a renewable energy degree will be offered starting in the fall of 2009.

Hat-tip: ENS