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Academics & Training / Programs & Degrees / Fields of Interest / Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources / Wind Energy Technology

Wind Energy Technology Associate Degree

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Program Code: 104821

The wind energy industry is the fastest growing segment of renewable energy production. The U.S. and Canadian commercial wind farms are experiencing annual growth of 25 percent. Employers seek skilled technicians for operation and maintenance activities in local wind farm settings. Within U.S. and international wind turbine manufacturers, there is also intense demand for upper-level technicians including installation technicians, quality control technicians, and warranty and commissioning technicians. Operation and maintenance positions remain with wind farm locations; other technicians travel extensively with the development of new wind farms and repair/retrofitting of wind farms around the world.

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Program Costs & Financial Aid

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Employment Potential

• Wind Turbine Technician/Mechanic/Tower Climber

• Installation Technician

• Operation and Maintenance Technician

• Wind Farm Maintenance Manager

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Requirements for Program Entry

• Completed application at Lakeshore Technical College - www.gotoltc.edu or (888) 468-6582.

Program Availability

FULL TIME Spring 2019 Summer 2019 Fall 2019
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Curriculum
The Wind Energy Technology Associate Degree is a two-year six-semester collaborative program between Lakeshore Technical College and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Students will attend classes on the Green Bay campus during the fall and spring semesters and will take part in summer semester courses at LTC. Students following the study plan below will complete the Wind Energy Technology associate degree in the number of semesters shown.
FIRST SEMESTER
10-482-101 WIND SYSTEMS INTRODUCTION... prepares the learner to assess the global energy picture, analyze the causes of wind flow and wind flow properties, write a site assessment, explore small, medium, and large wind turbine designs, assess the environmental effects of wind turbines, perform business assessments for wind energy projects, plan a wind energy

project, evaluate the operation and maintenance requirements of wind turbines and their components, and analyze the future of wind energy.
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10-620-140 MACHINE WIRING AND SAFETY ...introduction to machine wiring, including basic documentation, labeling, and wiring practices; an overview of NFPA 70 machinery, safety and installation standards.
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10-620-100 FLUIDS 1: BASIC PNEUMATICS ...what fluid power is, differentiate between hydraulics and pneumatics, implement basic pneumatic circuits, utilize schematics, apply Pascal's Law, define properties of fluids, implement airflow control and hydraulics cylinder circuits.
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10-620-101 FLUIDS 2: BASIC HYDRAULICS ...hydraulic pumps, basic hydraulics actuator circuits, hydraulic schematics, apply Pascal's Law, summarize the effects of fluids friction, define properties of hydraulic energy, design hydraulic circuits with directional control valves. (Corequisite: 10-620-100, Fluids 1: Basic Pneumatics)
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10-620-165 FLUIDS 3: INTERMEDIATE HYDRAULICS ...design of cylinder actuating circuits with pressure-compensated flow control valves, how to control pressure, pilot-operated check valve applications, accumulator operation and application, hydraulic motor types and applications. (Corequisite: 10-620-101, Fluids 2: Basic Hydraulics)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
10-660-104 DC 1: INTRODUCTION ...introduction to the concepts of DC electricity and simple series circuits. Voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's Law, power and Kirchoff's Voltage Law are defined.
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
10-660-105 DC 2: CIRCUITS ...analysis of parallel and series-parallel circuits. Application of Kirchoff's Current Law to parallel circuit combinations. Introduction of current sources and source conversions. (Corequisites: 10-804-118, Interim Algebra w Apps OR 10-804-113, College Tech Math 1A; 10-660-104, DC 1: Intro)
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10-660-101 DIGITAL 1: LOGIC ...AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, logic operation using switch logic, ladder logic, and gate logic. Simplification methods using Boolean theorems and Karnaugh Maps, and timing diagram analysis.
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
10-804-113 COLLEGE TECHNICAL MATH 1A ...topics include solving linear equations; graphing; percent; proportions; measurement systems; computational geometry; and right triangle trigonometry. Emphasis will be on the application of skills to technical problems. (Prerequisite: A placement value of 2400; OR Accuplacer Arithmetic score greater/equal to 65 AND Reading score greater/equal to 55; OR ACT Math score greater/equal to 15 AND ACT Reading score greater/equal to 16; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor 920-498-5444)
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10-482-104 WIND TECH TOOLS & LAB 1 ...prepares students for work at height and to perform equipment inspections on climbing and fall arrest gear; wear required PPE, PFPE, and apparel while working on wind turbine systems. Students will be SAFER certified in safe tower access, climbing, rescue, and confined space rescue, and will demonstrate proper knot tying and display professionalism and safe working habits during all tasks. Students are trained in the use of hand tools and torque tools. (Corequisite: 10482101 Wind Systems Introduction)
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SEMESTER TOTAL
15
SECOND SEMESTER
10-482-110 ENERGY INTRODUCTION TO ...provides participants with an overview of electrical energy generation and distribution. Topics include electricity from the following systems: photovoltaic, wind, coal-fired, hydro, and natural gas. Career awareness for maintenance technicians and plant operators is explored.
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OR
10-480-101 ENERGY-INTRO RENEW & SUSTAIN ...an overview of various renewable energy technologies and sustainable design practices and their current applications. Emphasis will be placed on policies, renewable energy production, green products and jobs.
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10-620-166 FLUIDS 4: ADVANCED HYDRAULICS ...components of hydraulic pump power, characteristics of fluid conductors, issues of hydraulic system maintenance, basics of hydraulic flow and pressure in pipelines, design a hydraulic system from a specification.
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10-660-102 DIGITAL 2: SEQUENTIAL ...operation and connection of latches, RS flip-flops, JK flip-flops, and D flip-flops using timing diagram analysis, and some simple applications are studied. (Corequisite: 10-660-101, Digital 1: Logic)
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10-664-100 AUTOMATION 1: CONTROL LOGIC ...electric motor control components such as switches, relays, starters, transformers; and safely mount and install motor and motor control components and perform related wiring and troubleshooting of motor control circuits.
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10-664-101 AUTOMATION 2: MOTOR CONTROL ...electric motor control components such as sensors, timers and counters. (Corequisite: 10-664-100, Automation 1: Control Logic)
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10-660-107 AC 1: PROPERTIES ...introduction to the properties of capacitors and inductors including types and behavior in switching circuits. Inductor basics include a study of magnetic fields. (Prerequisite: 10-660-105, DC 2: Circuits; Corequisite: 10-804-196, Trigonometry w Apps OR 10-804-114, College Tech Math 1B)
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10-660-108 AC 2: REACTANCE ...study of the way inductive, capacitive and resistive components behave in a circuit excited by a sine waveform. Effective and average values of the sinewave are derived. (Corequisite: 10-660-107, AC 1: Properties)
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10-660-110 ELECTRONICS 1: DIODES-BASIC ...introduction to the characteristics and usage of semiconductor diodes in rectifiers and linear power supplies. Special diodes and diode circuits are also considered. (Prerequisite: 10-660-105, DC 2: Circuits; Corequisite: 10-660-107, AC 1: Properties)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
10-804-114 COLLEGE TECHNICAL MATH 1B ...topics include: performing operations on polynomials; solving quadratic and rational equations; formula rearrangement; solving systems of equations; and oblique triangle trigonometry. Emphasis will be on the application of skills to technical problems. (Prerequisite: 10-804-113, Tech Math 1A with grade C or better)
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10-664-103 AUTOMATION 4: PLC ...troubleshooting a PLC system, applying Event Sequencing, developing PLC applications, applying timer instructions and counter instructions. (Corequisite: 10-664-102, Automation 3: PLC)
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10-482-106 WIND TECH SAFETY AND LAB 2 ...familiarizes learners with OSHA regulations related to the wind industry and proper methods to eliminate and control hazards. Students receive training in First Aid, CPR, rigging, and confined space and receive the 10-hour OSHA for General Industry and the Tools at Height certifications. Participants develop skills in repair and maintenance of commercial wind turbines. Industry standards, training manuals, and field experience are course standards. (Prerequisite: 10482101 Wind Systems Introduction; Corequisite: 10482104 Wind Tech Tools & Lab 1
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10-664-104 AUTOMATION 5: PLC ...application, troubleshooting, and implementation of program control, math and data move instructions, analog I/O modules, and producing a PLC program from specification. (Corequisite: 10-664-103, Automation 4: PLC)
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10-605-158 POWER ELECTRONICS 2: DRIVES ...This course provide the opportunity for the student to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of the power and control circuitry of AC drives and application and troubleshooting of these industrial AC drives (VFD's) to AC induction motors. This course concentrates on the ABB ACS355 Variable Speed Drive.
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10-664-102 AUTOMATION 3: PLC ...basic programmable logic controller programming and troubleshooting.
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SEMESTER TOTAL 17 or
20
SUMMER SEMESTER
LTC 10-482-132 TURBINE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT ...prepares the learner for servicing a variety of small wind turbines. Participants will climb and inspect towers, torque fasteners, check lubrication in gearboxes, add grease to moving and exposed parts, verify good electrical connections and perform an overall "system check" on a wind energy system as part of routine maintenance. Covers techniques and details involved in a thorough site assessment using industry quality standards. Travel is required. (Prerequisite: LTC 10-482-120, Wind Technician 1 Lab)
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OR
10-482-103 WIND FARM INTERNSHIP ...will allow learners to develop skill portfolios through hands-on training in the installation, maintenance and/or troubleshooting of wind energy systems. Students will work with their employers to ensure safe and proper techniques while working on and around wind turbines and fine-tuning their electromechanical skills. Internship opportunities vary in availability and location throughout the United States. Travel is required.
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SEMESTER TOTAL
2
THIRD SEMESTER
LTC 10-482-124 WIND TECHNICIAN 3 Lab ...certifies the learner in torque techniques through Snap-On Tools. Student will apply safe and proper technique with use of a click-type torque wrench, dial-type torque wrench, torque screwdriver, torque adapter, and torque extensions; verify appropriate torque techniques on electronic test bench; apply proper technique with the Techangle® wrench; and demonstrate safe and proper torque technique using the Hytorc® equipment. Turbine maintenance techniques will be applied. (Corequisite: LTC 10-482-132, Wind Technician 2 Lab, LTC 10-482-132, Turbine Maintenance/Site Assessment or 10-482-103 Wind Farm Internship)
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10-620-122 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS 2 ...mechanical drive system components related to multiple shaft drives, heavy-duty V-belt drives, synchronous belt drives, lubrication, and alignment. (Corequisite: 10-620-121, Mechanical Systems 1)
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10-620-123 MECHANICS 3: SYSTEMS ...application of correct couplings to mechanical systems, heavy-duty chain drives, maintenance of brakes and clutches, selection of brake/clutch mechanisms, and specification of linear ball bushings and ball screw drives. (Prerequisite: 10-620-122, Mechanics 2: Intermediate)
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10-620-161 POWER ELECTRICITY 1: MOTORS ...This course provides the opportunity for the student to develop the knowledge, skills, process and understanding of: Causes and results of magnetism and magnetic fields, laws of magnetic/electric interactions, DC Series, Permanent Magnet, Shunt, and Compound motor performance and operating characteristics.
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10-664-160 CONTROL 1: DISCRETE SYSTEMS ...applications and utilization of digital input and output devices through connection to and programming of PLC's. (Prerequisite: 10-664-101, Automation 2; 10-664-102, Automation 3: PLC)
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10-664-161 CONTROL 2: INTRODUCTION TO SERVO SYSTEMS ...introduction to components and operational functions of servo systems. Control of servo systems using PLC programming. (Corequisite: 10-664-160, Control 1: Discrete Systems)
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10-664-162 CONTROL 3: SERVO MOTION SYSTEMS ...creation of PLC programming to complete basic motion tasks. (Corequisite: 10-664-161, Control 2: Servo Systems-Intro)
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10-620-193 NEC CODES... introduces the student to National Electric Codes NFPA 70. Prepares the learner to apply NFPA 70 to motor and control installations and repairs.
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LTC 10-482-133 WIND SYSTEMS NETWORKING ...introduces the wind technician to the applications of SCADA, SCADA control processes, remote connections of generation assets, remote monitoring and remote control, IP addressing, installing and removing programs on PC’s, downloading programs on PLC’s, proper removal and replacement of communication and control components, as well as connecting to various components for troubleshooting, testing, and component addressing. (Prerequisitie: 10-620-138 Programmable Controllers-Allen Bradley; Corequisite: 10482124 Wind Technician 3 Lab)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
10-806-143 COLLEGE PHYSICS 1 ...presents the applications and theory of basic physics principles. This course emphasizes problem solving, laboratory investigation and applications. Topics include laboratory safety, unit conversions and analysis, kinematics, dynamics, work, energy, power, temperature, and heat. (Prereq: 2.6 GPA & Alg 2 or equiv w/C or better; OR placement value of 3400; OR Accuplacer Reading greater/equal to 80, Arith greater/equal to 65, & Elem Alg greater/equal to 61; OR ACT Reading greater/equal to 17 & Math greater/equal to 21; OR Coll Tech Math 1A OR Int Alg w/C or better)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
10-801-136 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 ...learners develop knowledge/skills in planning, organizing, writing, editing. Students will also analyze audience/purpose, use elements of research, format documents using standard guidelines, and develop critical reading skills. (Prerequisite: Placement value of 1500; OR Accuplacer Rdg score greater/equal to 55 AND Sentence Skills greater/equal to 75; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND Eng greater/equal to 18; OR preparatory courses-contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
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SEMESTER TOTAL
16
FOURTH SEMESTER
LTC 10-482-126 WIND TECHNICIAN 4 ...strengthens the electromechanical skills of the learner by reviewing arc flash requirements, power quality, power factor correction, transformer calculations, and electrical distribution and transmission systems. Students will explore drive trains used in wind turbines; analyze the causes and results of gear failures; demonstrate proper techniques for gearbox and generator alignment; and compare and contrast synchronous and induction generators. (Prerequisites: LTC 10-482-124, Wind Tech 3)
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LTC 10-482-128 WIND TECHNICIAN 5 ...will have the learner working with data collected from wind energy systems at LTC using Microsoft Excel, wind energy calculators, and MET tower software. Participants will determine energy production, wind speeds, and wind direction; produce power curves; calculate wind shear; analyze rotor wash, estimate availability and capacity factor of a wind system; estimate payback and return investment for wind systems, and create charts and graphs to summarize the data. (Corequisite: LTC 10-482-126, Wind Technician 4)
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10-664-163 CONTROL 4: SERVO SYSTEM CAMMING ...introduction to components and operational functions of servo systems. Camming control of servo systems using PLC programming (Corequisite: 10-664-162, Control 3: Servo Motion Programming)
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10-664-164 CONTROL 5: SERVO SYSTEM REGISTRATION ...registration control of servo systems using PLC programming. (Corequisite: 10-664-163, Control 4: Servo Systems Camming)
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10-664-165 CONTROL 6: PROCESS CONTROL ...specification, calibration and application of process control devices using PLC programming. (Corequisite: 10-664-164, Control 5: Servo System Registration)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
10-809-172 INTRO TO DIVERSITY STUDIES...basic American values of justice and equality by teaching vocabulary, history of immigration/conquest, transcultural communication, legal liability, multicultural majority/minority relations, ageism, sexism, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled/ADA. (Prerequisite: A placement value of 6200; OR Accuplacer Rdg score greater/equal to 55 AND Sentence Skills greater/equal to 60; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR prep courses-contact academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
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10-801-197 TECHNICAL REPORTING ...principles of report writing and correspondence, proposals, feasibility reports, progress reports, investigation reports, evaluation reports, meeting reports, memos, and correspondence. (Prerequisite: 10-801-136, English Composition I OR 10-801-195, Written Communication with “C” or better)
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Credit for Prior LearningCredit for Prior Learning Available »
10-809-198 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY ...survey of theoretical foundations of human behavior such as sensation and perception, motivation, emotions, learning, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, and human diversity in personal, social and vocational settings. (Prerequisite: Cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater OR satisfactory reading and writing assessment scores OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing 1 with "B" or better OR Corequisite: 10-831-102, English Comp Prep)
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SEMESTER TOTAL
17
TOTAL CREDITS 67 or
70
Curriculum Note
. The class dates and times for the following courses may be rescheduled due to inclement weather:
Wind Technician 1 Lab
Wind Technician Health and Safety
Wind Technician 2 Lab
Turbine Maintenance
Wind Farm Internship
Wind Technician 3 Lab
Wind Technician 4
Wind Technician 5
. Students must be within safe-climbing, unequipped body weight of 100 to 275 pounds
. Students completing General Studies courses at NWTC must earn a "C" or better in English Composition to enrolling Technical Reporting.

Program Outcomes

• Install, test, service and repair wind turbine components.
• Troubleshoot and maintain control and PLC systems.
• Wear PPE for climbing and identify safety practices for climbing.
• Practice safe wind turbine tower climbing skills.

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Average Starting Salary:

$51,292.00

FT Median Annual Wage - Learn more »

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