Our 6 month program was developed with input from leaders in the wind energy field to ensure graduates have the skills, knowledge, and certifications employers are looking for.
Students at NWREI receive the most updated wind turbine training in the industry through our innovative approach which focuses on hands-on instruction. Our green energy training program teaches students the technical skills necessary to service, repair, and maintain a wide range of wind energy machinery and equipment.
Compared to other degree programs, our program is only 6 months. Over the duration, students will learn rigging, torque & tensioning, AC/DC electrical systems, hydraulics, computerized data collection, antenna installation, weatherproofing, and more.
Graduates of this program will be fully prepared for jobs in the wind power industry and qualified for entry-level positions as wind turbine and telecom technicians.
Our program is divided into the 6 phases below.
PHASE 1: Introduction to Wind and Telecom
- Workplace safety, including legal requirements and best practices
- Various aspects of the wind and telecom industries
- The terminology and components of the renewable energy industry
- First Aid/CPR
- Climbing rescue
Upon successful completion of Phase 1 training, applicable testing, and relevant practical demonstration, students may receive a First Aid/CPR card, an OSHA 10 for Construction card, and an ENSA Competent Climber and Rescuer card.
PHASE 2: Mechanical
- Wind turbine generator work procedures including safe lockout practices, machine operation testing, emergency stop procedures, and emergency evacuation
- Safe and proper tool usage and storage when performing maintenance on wind turbines, industrial equipment, or other power generation equipment
- How to select, install, adjust, troubleshoot, and repair a range of mechanical systems which are commonly found in wind turbine power plants and other electro-mechanical systems
- General safety practices for mechanical systems
- Mounting and leveling electric motors
- Installation and operation of mechanical transmission systems
- Care, maintenance, and lubrication of all mechanical systems
- Laser and mechanical alignment
- Vibration Analysis
PHASE 3: Electrical
- The relationship between current, voltage, and resistance in different configurations of electrical circuits
- Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC)
- How to use a Digital Multimeter (DMM)
- The relationship between electromagnetism and induction and their applications in industrial environments
- Be able to identify common inductive devices and discuss their function in electrical circuits
- Transformers and circuits
- Inductive reactance, capacitive reactance, reactive power, true power, and apparent power
- Ladder diagrams and circuits
- Components of electric motors
- Identification of hazards associated with Arc Flash and Arc Blast
PHASE 4: Electronics/Machine Controllers
- Single phase AC motors, three-phase AC motors, and DC electric motors
- Basic programming, motor control, discrete I/O interfacing, timer instructions, counter instructions, troubleshooting, event sequencing, application development, process control instruction, and math and database instruction
- Reading and using electrical schematics such as transformer cabinet, top box, wind turbine, and others
- Troubleshooting systems, components, power supply circuits, and more
- Radio frequency awareness and certification
PHASE 5: Hydraulics
- Hydraulic systems and how they function
- Safety
- Troubleshooting
- The valves used in hydraulic systems, their functions, speed, pressure, and directional control
- Hydraulic, electric pitch, and brake systems
- Hydraulics and wind turbines
- Heat exchange systems
PHASE 6: Rigging, Torque & Tensioning
- Different types of metals, their properties, uses, and applications in wind turbines
- Torque and tensioning
- Bolting procedures
- Rigging concepts such as load weight calculations, balancing, component inspections, hoists, slings, lifts, wire ropes, chain slings, fiber ropes, industrial cranes, special lifting applications, and safe load turning using a variety of methods
- HYTORC certification