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Wind energy class at DSLCC expands with tower.

WIND TOWER DELIVERED – Students in the Wind Turbine Service Technician program at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College pose with the newly delivered tower that will be erected on the DSLCC campus in Clifton Forge for training purposes. The tower, made in Canada, is an Endurance Model S-343 5.2 kW (kilowatt), and employs a 3-blade, horizontal axis, upwind design that is very similar to full-scale versions in use by major utility grade units, according to Douglas Jones, one of the instructors in the WTST program. “One of the unique features of this turbine is that it has a dual-mode induction generator that produces power even at very low wind speeds.  It has an extremely quiet 21-ft. diameter blade section and is equipped with a 90-ft. monopole tilt-up/down tower that allows nacelle inspections and maintenance to be performed at ground level.”  From left: Jones; Tanner Norman of Ronceverte, WV; Derek Buchanan of Roanoke; Hunter Chittum of Buena Vista; Craig Kerr of Hillsboro, WV; and Tom Vess of Lexington. James River Wind Energy will be handling the installation. For more information about the WTST program, contact Earl Dodrill at (540) 863-2902 or email edodrill@dslcc.edu. There are still several free tuition slots available for the fall 2012 semester.

–submitted by Judy Clark Public Relations and  Non-Credit Coordinator DSLCC