Building a Wind FarmIn

Your Classroom

Illinois Valley Community CollegeOglesby, IL

www.ivcc.edu

Jim Gibson, Electronics Program CoordinatorSue Isermann, Associate VP for Academic AffairsJamie Gahm, Director of Continuing Education and Business ServicesRose Marie Lynch, Communications Instructor

IVCC’s Wind Energy Technician Program

• Two certificates – Basic and Advanced• Started Fall 2010 – Classes full• Grant funding

- National Science Foundation $560,00- Small Business Administration

Congressional Grant $220,000- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural

Development $99,000- Illinois Clean Energy Commission

Foundation $30,000• Certificates to lead to A.A.S. degree

Illinois Ranks High in Wind Energy Development

• 4th in existing wind power capacity• 14th in wind potential

Sources: American Wind Energy Association and National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Illinois Ranks High

• Good infrastructure: transmission lines, transportation

• Endorsed Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard

- 25% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025,75% of that from wind

Wind Energy Technician Jobs

• 1 technician for 10 – 15 turbines

• In / near IVCC district- Over 600 turbines- Over 300 permitted for

construction

• Starting wages $24 - $25 an hour

Rationale for a Mini Wind Farm in Your Classroom

• Capitalize on curiosity about visible turbines

• Utilize hands-on project to focus on various concepts

•Highlight “green” energy

•Introduce/reinforce technical knowledge & skills

Building a Wind Farm Basics

Components of a circuit1. Source2. Conductor3. Control4. Load

Source in a Wind Turbine

Source

Graphic Source: Arne Nordmann, Wikimedia Commons

1. Foundation2. Connection3. Tower4. Ladder5. Wind orientation6. Nacelle7. Generator –SOURCE8. Anemometer9. Brake10. Gearbox11. Blade12. Blade pitch control13. Rotor hub

11

Source You Will Use

Conductor for a Wind Turbine

Source: National Renewable Energy Lab

Conductor You Will Use

Control for a Wind Turbine

Source: National Renewable Energy Lab

Control You Will Use

Load for a Wind Turbine

Source: National Renewable Energy Lab

Load You Will Use

Assemble

1. Connect load to control• Put flat spot (on LED) on

right2. Connect control to conductor3. Connect conductor to second

control4. Connect second control to

source

Test

Turn on wind source (fan)

Does light work?

Add a Load

Connect conductors from one load to another

• Two teams work together• Wire colors must match• Connections made on same

side of control

Test

Turn on wind source (fan)

Does light work?

Is it dimmer?

Add a Source: Build a Wind Farm

Connect conductors from one source to another

• Two teams still working together

• Wire colors must match

• Connections made on same side of control

Wind Farm

Test

Turn on wind source (fan)

Does light work?

Is it brighter?

Congratulations!

You Have Successfully Built

and Tested a Wind Farm

Cost to Build a Wind Farmin Your Classroom

• SOURCE: DC motor $5 - propeller $2• CONDUCTOR: Wire $5 for 100 feet• CONTROL: Terminal strip $2 per unit• LOAD: LED 25 cents per unit• TOWER: PVC pipe, tees, elbows $5• OTHER SUPPLIES: Wood, screws, etc.

$7

TOTAL COST - 2 turbines, 8 teams about $48

Sources for Parts

• Electronics stores

• Lumber Yards

• Hardware stores

• Online - Specific sites listed in handbook

For Instructions on Building Mini Wind Turbines

and full details on Building a Wind Farm

For More Information…

Jim Gibson jim_gibson@ivcc.edu 815-224-0453Sue Isermann sue_isermann@ivcc.edu 815-224-0408Jamie Gahm jamie_gahm@ivcc.edu 815-224-0428Rose Marie Lynch rosemarie_lynch@ivcc.edu 815-224-0209

www.ivcc.edu/windwww.ivcc.edu/nsf