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Wind Turbine Technology

Overview
Curriculum
Outcomes
Faculty
Cost
Scholarships
Requirements
Accreditation

Overview

careers

Windsmith
Installer
Turbine Technician

$ 0

Average Salary**

The power of the wind to generate electricity for today’s consumer is only as reliable as the technicians who install and service the giant turbines. Today, wind is one of the fastest growing energy technologies. Wind turbine technicians are needed around the world to support the demand for clean, efficient energy.

This program will allow students to learn about the basics of turbines, mechanics, hydraulics, electronics and the computer networks that allow the system to communicate. Unique hands-on experience will be available to students as they climb Mitchell Tech’s wind turbine located at the Crow Lake Wind Farm near White Lake, SD. Mitchell Tech is one of the few schools nationwide to have an operational 1.5 MW wind turbine.

A graduate of the program will find employment opportunities in turbine construction, maintenance and troubleshooting, power distribution, controls and other areas that move the power through the grid.

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Curriculum

Award: Diploma

Semesters

First Semester

WTT100Turbine Safety1 credit

WTT101Introduction to Wind Technology2 credits

WTT104Schematics1 credit

WTT112Electronics I4 credits

WTT120Motor Controls I4 credits

CPR100First Aid, CPR AED0.5 credits

OSHA101OSHA 10 Construction1 credit

SSS100Student Success1 credit

Math Elective3 credits

Total Semester Hours17.5 credits

Second Semester

WTT140Fluid Systems3 credits

WTT150Mechanical Systems3 credits

WTT213Electronics II4 credits

WTT217Motor Controls II4 credits

CIS107Spreadsheet Concepts3 credits

Communications Elective3 credits

Total Semester Hours20 credits

Requirements

Drug/Alcohol Testing Requirements: Students are expected to conform to Rules for Programs with Required Drug and Alcohol Testing while enrolled in this program. See the Student Handbook for details.

Program Requirement: Students must complete all technical courses with a minimum grade of C. Students who do not achieve a C grade will be prevented from enrolling in the subsequent semester due to prerequisite requirements.

Computer Requirements: This program allows you to bring your own laptop as long as it meets these minimum specifications:

Processor – Intel Core i Series (i3, i5, i7) or AMD Ryzen
Operating System – Windows 10
Webcam Recommended
Memory – 4 GB or more
Internal Storage – 64 GB or more
Microsoft Office is available at no charge as long as enrolled at Mitchell Tech
NO APPLE/MAC COMPUTERS

Outcomes

At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate OSHA-required safety while ascending and descending a 300’ wind turbine.
Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanical, electrical, and control systems and sub-systems common to modern wind turbines.
Demonstrate basic troubleshooting and problem-solving skills required to maintain a wind turbine.
Troubleshoot complicated electrical problems on variable pitch systems.
Demonstrate tower rescue
Demonstrate basic electrical concepts required to maintain a wind turbine.
Demonstrate the ability to use handheld test equipment to troubleshoot electrical circuits.
Demonstrate understanding of Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) procedures for wind turbine and other equipment maintenance.
Perform mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical component maintenance, repair, and replacement of parts to correct malfunctions.
Troubleshoot and maintain control and PLC systems.

Annual Program Review

Check out the 2021-22 Annual Program Review for information on how this program assures that its students are attaining learning outcomes.

Faculty

Noah Brinkman

Instructor

Cost

Other Required Costs

Books / Tools (estimated)

$905

Scholarships

$750

1 AVAIL.

SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship

SD Municipal Electric Association

About
Eligibility
Criteria

All programs eligible.

Must be a resident of the SD Municipal Electric Association service area.

$1000

7 AVAIL.

Xcel Energy

About
Eligibility
Criteria

The scholarships will be awarded in January and applied to Power Line and Electrical Utilities and Substation recipients on their second semester account, and for Automation Controls/SCADA and Natural Gas Technology recipients accounts the following Fall semester.

Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology

Applicants must be first or second year students currently enrolled full-time in the following programs: Power Line Electrical Utilities and Substation Automation Controls/SCADA Natural Gas Technology Wind Turbine Technology Applicant must complete the MTC Current student online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship.

$1000

2 AVAIL.

South Dakota Wheat Commission

About
Eligibility
Criteria

The South Dakota Wheat Commission began offering scholarships for Culinary Academy of South Dakota, Animal Science, Ag Business, Agronomy, Precision Technology, and SD Center for Farm and Ranch Management program students in 2014. The Commission has been an active supporter of several Mitchell Technical College programs for several years and has provided financial support for equipment and program development.

Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Precision Ag Technology

Applicants must be currently enrolled as first year full-time students in the Culinary Academy of South Dakota or Agronomy programs, with second choice being Ag Business, Animal Science or Precision Technology Applicants must complete the MTC current student online application during the open enrollment period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher Award considerations include academic performance, financial need, responses to essay questions and recommendations from instructors. Ag award preference would be to someone who comes from or has plans to go into production agriculture, specifically wheat production Culinary Academy of South Dakota award preference would be students interested in the baking side of the program

$1000

1 AVAIL.

South Dakota Assoc. of Cooperatives Scholarship

About
Eligibility
Criteria

The scholarship was established in 2013.

Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Business Management
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology

Applicant must be an accepted full-time student enrolled at MTC in one of the programs mentioned Applicant must complete the MTC scholarship application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship First priority will be given to students with ties to a SDAC member cooperative Essay responses will be a large part of the recipient decision

$1000

4 AVAIL.

Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships

About
Eligibility
Criteria

Martin and Maude Osterhaus established this endowed scholarship in 1995 to provide financial support for at least four deserving Mitchell Tech students each year. The scholarships will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient's account the following Fall semester.

Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology

Applicant must be a currently enrolled first year full-time student in any two year program Applicant must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA (universal financial aid application form) Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship Applicant must have good leadership skills

$1000

5 AVAIL.

Northwestern Energy Scholarships

About
Eligibility
Criteria

NorthWestern Energy has been an active supporter of Mitchell Tech through donations of scholarship funds and equipment since 2003. The scholarships will be awarded in January and applied to PL accounts the Spring semester and the following Fall semester for ECM, SCADA and WTT two-year program recipients.

Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology

Applicants can be first or second year students currently enrolled full-time in the following programs: Electrical Construction and Maintenance Power Line Construction and Maintenance SCADA Wind Turbine Technology - 2 year Natural Gas Technology Applicant must complete the MTC online application and submit references if required during the open application periods as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above

Wind Turbine Technology

Overview

careers

Windsmith

Installer

Turbine Technician

Curriculum

First Semester

Second Semester

Requirements

Outcomes

Faculty

Noah Brinkman

Instructor

Cost

Other Required Costs

Scholarships

$750

1 AVAIL.

SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship

SD Municipal Electric Association

$1000

7 AVAIL.

Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy

$1000

2 AVAIL.

South Dakota Wheat Commission

South Dakota Wheat Commission

$1000

1 AVAIL.

South Dakota Assoc. of Cooperatives Scholarship

$1000

4 AVAIL.

Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships

$1000

5 AVAIL.

Northwestern Energy Scholarships

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