AVTEC spins up turbine for training
Leon Youngblood | The Seward Phoenix LOG
AVTEC officially commissions its wind turbine June 13. The turbine generates electricity to power the Applied Technology campus and serves for training students in training students in industrial electricity and power plant operation.
The 121-foot wind turbine at AVTEC’s Applied Technology Campus in on Leirer Road was dedicated June 13. On hand for the dedication, in addition to AVTEC personnel, were Seward and state elected officials and their staffs, and personnel from Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The turbine will provide hands-on training opportunities to AVTEC’s industrial electricity and power plant operation students.
“AVTEC’s wind turbine training reflects the state’s commitment to training Alaskans for jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy,” Alaska Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Dianne Blumer said. “Our focus continues to be training for industry needs.”
When the wind blows 20 miles an hour the turbine generates enough energy to run the Applied Technology three-building campus where it sits.
Funding for the Northwind 100 turbine, which is optimized for low wind conditions and can produce power at speeds as low as 6 mph, was provided by the Denali Commission and the State of Alaska.
The turbine is part of an integrated wind-diesel system training program that is meeting the workforce development needs of a growing number of Alaska communities that are adding wind turbines to supplement diesel power.
The training program is a partnership with the Alaska Energy Authority and the Alaska Village Electrical Cooperative.