Project Title:
Wind Power: Hands-on Training for the Installation and Management of Wind Power
Project Director and Other Associated Faculty and Staff:
Steven Murphy, Electrical Maintenance Instructor, Hibbing Community College, contact: stevemurphy@hcc.mnscu.edu, Tel.: (218)263-2915
Project Design:
The project will provide future electricians with experience in problem solving with electrical applications related to installing and implementing a wind power system. The project will be incorporated as lab work in 4 existing courses: ELM 1201: Motors, Generators and Transformers, ELM 2202: Commercial and Industrial Wiring, ELM 2101: Motor Controls, and ELM 2302: Electrical Equipment and Installation and involve 3 full-time faculty members. Overall 100 electrical students will participate in the project.
Project Evaluation and Outcomes:
The project involved installation of a wind generator along with the necessary meters. The students were able to apply theory to the actual workings of an electrical application through hands-on training within their labs. The final step of implementation involved the hands-on wiring and connecting of the wind generator. Assessment was accomplished by using lab Worksheets to monitor students’ learning. The overall result of the assessments indicated some areas needing extra focus for a better understanding of the theory needed to accurately install and troubleshoot the wind generator. In addition, the instructors needed to learn along with the students on this relatively new application of electric power. The total number of participants were: 60 first year students, 40 second year s students, 3 instructors, 1 classroom lab assistant, 1 special needs instructor, plus community participants (e.g. Lighthouse Power/wind generator company), Public Utilities of City of Hibbing, Max Gray Construction Co., Minnesota Sate Board of Electricity.
Lessons Learned, Dissemination and Sustainability
The grant made it possible for Hibbing CC electrical program to incorporate the study of wind power into the curriculum and to utilize active learning in an interesting and relevant electrical application. The students were required to research, observe, and interpret their findings during the classroom lectures and hands-on labs in an active learning environment. The project provided the college with a visible display of the product of our students’ learning. The wind generator will be an impressive structure on campus showing the training the students needed to acquire to implement the system and the possibilities for alternative energy sources in the future.
