By Jaci Kohn
IV Leader Co-Editor, Sept. 23, 2010
Illinois Valley Community College has been awarded with a three year, $560,000 grant from the NSF, the National Science Foundation.
This grant was given to IVCC for the purpose of training technicians for jobs in the alternative energy industry.
The first phase of this grant is already taking place. The NSF is helping launch a program in wind energy technology that students can take classes in. The basic renewable wind energy technician certificate has been implemented this fall and is now offering classes. Some of the classes offered are OSHA & Wind Turbine Safety, Wind Energy Concepts and Wind Turbine Control, Operation & Maintenance.
After the first phase of the grant has been completed, the program will look at other types of renewable energy industries for students to learn about.
Jim Gibson, program coordinator of electronics, Jamie Gahm, director of continuing education and business services, Rose Marie Lynch, communications instructor, and Sue Isermann, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, are the principle investigators of the alternative energy program at IVCC.
According to IVCC’s Community Relations Office, 10 wind energy projects with nearly 550 turbines are located near the IVCC district. Five projects with 450 turbines are under construction, and additional projects are being planned. The prime location of the college will help the students enrolled in the program receive hands on experience and see how what they are learning works.
Isermann explained through a college press release that the operation and maintenance required on the turbines provides excellent long-term job opportunities. For every 12-15 turbines, a technician is required.
The starting wages for a technician are around $24 an hour. Experienced technicians can earn $28 to $30 an hour.
IVCC also recently received a $30,000 grant for the study of wind feasibility, which will determine if the college can construct a wind-powered generator on the campus.
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation awarded the grant to help with the construction of a meteorological tower. The tower will be used to collect wind data
and calculate potential energy output of the turbine.
Laboratories will be constructed in the Community Technology Center that will be dedicated to the wind energy program. The Technology Center will start construction during 2011-2012.
“IVCC is in a great position to develop renewable energy programs as a result of the well-established wind energy projects in this area and the Community Technology Center to be constructed on campus,” said IVCC President, Jerry Corcoran. “This grant further solidifies that position.”
This is the third grant that the NSF has awarded to IVCC through its Advanced Technology Education Program. IVCC was awarded a $230,000 grant and another for $520,000 for revision in the engineering curriculum and to help attract more engineers and technicians.