Used turbine parts get second life as learning tools

GCube, an insurer for renewable energy initiatives, has donated a used wind turbine nacelle (engine housing) to a community college in hopes of helping engineering students to better understand wind-energy technology.

The Mitsubishi turbine nacelle, valued at $450,000, is now located at the Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The donated components are sourced from equipment that is either classified as damaged or beyond economic repair.

The contribution is part of GCube’s initiative to install wind turbine technology in pre-selected technical colleges to promote the education of the next generation of renewable energy technicians.

“Under the Obama administration, the longevity of renewable energy schemes has been assured,” said Pat Stumbras, senior vice president of GCube North America. “Washington’s financial incentives can only support the future of the North American wind market to a point, however, and it’s therefore imperative that industry participants play their part.”

“We launched the Wind Energy Technician Program at LCCC to provide highly skilled graduates for the renewable energy industry,” said Mike Schmidt, wind energy technology programme director at the community college. “The donations made under the scheme are invaluable to providing our students with a first-class training experience. The opportunity for them to develop their skills on the equipment they will be working on in the future is critical.”

GCube launched its equipment donation scheme in 2008, and has contributed equipment valued at several million US dollars since then.