Students in Holland College’s Wind Turbine Technician program were literally out in the field recently when they went to a home on the Brackley Point Road to remove a non-functioning turbine from its tower.

The students and their learning manager, Andrew Dibling, along with Precision Machinist learning manager Robin Enman, Chuck Terrio of Entegrity Wind Systems, and a crew headed by Lee Ford from Irving Crane Equipment, worked in bone-chilling temperatures to remove the turbine and electrical control panel.  The turbine had not been operating for some time when the owner of the home contacted the college’s Wind Turbine Technician program about having the students work on the repairs.

“Upon initial inspection it appears the turbine stopped operating because routine maintenance had not been done and mechanical systems to protect the turbine from high winds failed to function. The experience gave students the opportunity to experience first-hand some of the challenges wind turbine technicians face on a daily basis,” Dibling said. “We appreciated the assistance of Chuck Terio from Entegrity Wind Systems and Lee Ford’s crew.”

The 15 students are working in three groups to tackle the overhaul of the turbine. One group will deal with the mechanical components, another with the electrical and the third group will work with the destroyed composite blades.

The project is an excellent opportunity for students to gain experience on small scale residential wind turbines to augment the foundational training and experience they are gaining on large commercial scale systems. Over the next couple months, the 15-year-old turbine will be refurbished and then re-installed to once again generate clean energy from the Island's abundant wind resource.

Holland College's Wind Turbine Technician program is a 10 month internationally certified program that takes 15 students every September and prepares them to work in the rapidly growing wind energy industry.

In this picture: Wind Turbine Technician student Jason Martell operates the wrench while instructor Andy Dibling looks on. Student Sean McGovern (in the foreground) is holding on to the end of the blade.