Wind Energy & Turbine Technology
Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career with room to advance? Then our Wind Energy and Turbine Technology program may be a great fit for you. As one of the first three programs nationwide to earn the American Wind Energy Association’s Seal of Approval for Wind Turbine Service Technician Programs, we pride ourselves on being a leader in delivering rigorous coursework to produce the front-line technicians the industry needs.
Our dual-track program helps you enter a growing technical workforce with confidence and transcend different sectors of the renewable energy field. Whether you choose to pursue a diploma or Associate in Applied Science degree, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in an internship. Gain exposure to real work experience that will prepare you for what to expect on the job.
Gain hands-on experience in our 50,000 square-foot Sustainable Energy Resources and Technology Facility. In the 11-month diploma program, you’ll become familiar with construction, maintenance and wind turbine operation while learning the fundamentals in electrical, hydraulic and mechanical theory. In the second year, you’ll receive advanced training in power generation, programmable logic systems, basic solar energy concepts, supervisory control and data acquisition.
Upon graduation, you’ll be ready for entry-level positions in the wind energy field and have the foundational industry skills needed to become a lead technician, site supervisor, operator or manager.
Faculty Contact
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Michael Gengler Assistant Professor | Wind Energy & Turbine Technology 712-362-7950 | mgengler@iowalakes.educreate new email |
Program Details
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Curriculum
Term 1
COM 753 – Technical Communications†
This course is designed to prepare students for the oral and written communication situations in the working world. The major areas of study include technical communication principles, oral communications, composing technical documents, and using Standard English. Writing projects require the use of a word processing program; therefore, computer experience is recommended.
ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
Electrical Theory I is an introduction to basic electrical theory and components that make up electrical circuits. Direct Current and Alternating Current will be introduced and basic laws for voltage, current and power relationships will be presented in lecture and laboratory format. Course content will include, but not be limited to basic circuits, electrical components and their applications. Hands-on reinforcement of theory covered during lecture is practiced in lab.
MAT 743 – Technical Math
Technical Math includes operations with real numbers, use of fractions, ratios, measurement conversion, algebraic equations, functions, geometry, and right angle trigonometry. Applications are designed around situations students may encounter in industrial settings
SER 116 – Career Seminar
A study of the careers available within the renewable energy sector, with an emphasis on analyzing renewable energy industries as related components of a dynamic system. Students will also learn about drafting cover letters, creating resumes, interviewing, and networking.
WTT 104 – Introduction to Wind Energy
Introduction to Wind Energy students will be exposed to the many facets of the wind industry. This course will cover the history and development of the wind industry, terminology used in the industry, basic tools and techniques, wind turbine components, the future of the wind industry, and other topics that are appropriate.
WTT 116 – Field Training I
Field Training I is designed to provide students with an understanding of the safety techniques used in the wind industry. Topics will include OSHA 10, First Aid/AED, tower climbing, high angle rescue/evacuation, working with tools at height, basic electrical safety, confined spaces, and basic crane safety.
Term 2
EGT 146 – Basic Hydraulics
This course will introduce students to the basic structure and application of hydraulics. Students will also learn how to read hydraulic schematics and troubleshoot basic hydraulic components.
ELE 136 – Basic Electricity II
Electric Theory II consists of instruction that will build upon experience gained in Electric Theory I. Students will be introduced to advanced concepts of electrical theory.
ELE 195 – Motor Control
This course discusses motor controls, components, operation, and service. Students will learn electric relay control of AC and DC motors along with troubleshooting motors in an industrial application.
SER 101 – Energy, Sustainability & the Environment
Introduction to Sustainable Energy Resources is designed to provide a basic understanding of energy, current trends in energy consumption, and the role of sustainable energy resources in today’s society. Topics covered will include matter and energy laws, the history of energy usage by humans, the categories of energy resources, and the environmental problems currently being caused by energy consumption.
WTT 136 – Field Training II
Field Training II will introduce a wind turbines construction, maintenance, and operation. Topics will include construction, schematics, components, maintenance, mechanical systems, electrical systems troubleshooting, and operation.
Prerequisites: WTT 116 – Field Training I
Term 3
WTT 934 – Wind Energy and Turbine Technology Internship II
Students will complete job contact experience in their field of choice. A minimum of 288 job contact hours is required by this 4-credit course.
WTT 946 – Wind Energy and Turbine Technology Internship I
Students will complete job contact experience in their field of choice. A minimum of 432 job contact hours is required by this 6-credit course.
Choose either WTT 934 or WTT 946
Term 4
ELE 226 – Electric Motors & Generators
Electric motors & generators is an introduction to types of motors and generators that are used today. The characteristics of Direct Current and Alternating Current motors and generators will be discussed and demonstrated through lecture and hands on laboratory sessions.
Prerequisites: ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
ELE 234 – Electrical Maintenance and Safety
An introduction of the NFPA 70E® Electrical Safety in the Workplace and NFPA 70B® Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance documents. Technicians are required to do preventive maintenance on electrical equipment and to do it safely. These documents will be used to discuss how this is to be accomplished in the workplace.
ELT 309 – Digital Circuits & Systems
This course provides students with knowledge and understanding of digital logic circuit design and operation using integrated circuits. Studies include combinatorial logic circuits, flip-flops, arithmetic circuits, counters and registers, memory devices and logic families.
Prerequisites: ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
ELT 732 – Introduction to Industrial Instrumentation
Comprehensive introduction to components, circuits, instruments and control techniques used in industrial systems.
Prerequisites: ELE 136 – Basic Electricity II
WTT 216 – Power Generation & Transmission
Power Generation and Transmission will serve as an introduction to the generation of electrical power with a wind turbine generator, moving that power through a local transmission system to a substation where a customer will purchase the generated power. This course will cover all aspects of working with components of a high voltage transmission system.
Term 5
BUS 161 – Human Relations†
Students are given the opportunity to apply human relations concepts and evaluate experience and observations. Social skills required in various occupational settings will be developed, emphasizing how appropriate personal attitudes lead to social and business success.
PSY 111 – Intro to Psychology†
An introduction to the scientific study of behavior; a brief history of psychology as a science, and topics fundamental to human behavior including developmental issues, sensory abilities, cognitive performance, social and emotional factors in behavior, and abnormal behavior and therapies.
SOC 110 – Intro to Sociology†
A survey course applying basic sociological concepts, theories, and methods to examine society, culture, cultural institutions, cultural diversity, and cultural stability and change.
ELE 242 – Programmable Logic Control Systems
Introduce students to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), primarily the Siemens S7-200 processors, the Siemens LOGO smart relay processor and the Bachmann M1 Controllers. The course will provide students with experiences in the following: Numbering systems associated with programming and addressing PLC’s Hardware and software familiarization associated with PLC’s Using programming instruction sets to create and edit ladderlogic programs Troubleshooting techniques using a PLCTroubleshooting techniques using a schematic and drawings
ELT 493 – Industrial Networking and Data Acquisition
Foundational training in local area networking technology, protocols and installation procedures. Introduction to supervisory control and data acquisition for industrial networks.
Prerequisites: ELT 732 – Introduction to Industrial Instrumentation
MGT 101 – Principles of Management†
Principles of Management provides the student with a conceptual framework for understanding the basic theories of management. Emphasis is placed on the internal and external environment, ethics, planning, goal setting, decision making, organizational structure, motivation and group dynamics, and effective control mechanisms for establishing and accomplishing business objectives.
SER 205 – Solar Energy Concepts
This class will introduce students to various solar energy concepts that a technician should understand while working on or around photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Prerequisite: ELE 136 – Basic Electricity II, ELE 195 – Motor Control & ELE 226 – Electric Motors & Generators
Choose either BUS 161, PSY 111 or SOC 110
† indicates a course that fulfills the diversity requirement. This course may also fulfill another general AA requirement.
