Wind turbine parts have arrived at NICC Calmar

NICC students listen to Instructor Kevin Hoetzle explain safety measures in climbing ladders

NICC Calmar students enrolled in the Wind Turbine Repair Technician program will now be able to train with one of the most critical components of a wind tower and turbine. A decommissioned nacelle, the real "brains" and operating system that runs a wind tower, has arrived on campus.

Although the components--tower, blades and nacelle--will not be assembled into a working, energy-generating system on campus, each of the major components serves an important purpose in the training of NICC students.

"When the 96-foot tower is assembled on campus, hopefully by late fall, students will have an opportunity to learn climbing safety, harness safety and rescue procedures, and also become climb-certified. Having this hands-on training and learning the fundamentals at NICC will give students the tools they need to succeed in the wind energy industry," said NICC dean of career and technical education Lenny Graves, adding that the turbine blades also offer training in greasing, cleaning, maintenance and repair.

On Wednesday, students in the program were receiving instruction from Kevin Hoetzle, who said the components would be used in the classes he teaches.

Hoetzle demonstrates

Steel ladder inside a tower segment

The nacelle unit

The turbine blades