New Degree in Alternative Energy Technology – Wind Turbine Major to Start in Fall

The first associate’s degree credit program in Ohio in the burgeoning field of wind turbine power generation begins in fall at Lorain County Community College. The Associate of Science degree in Alternative Energy Technology – Wind Turbine major will train students to become installation and maintenance professionals.

Wind turbine power is expected to be one of the fastest-growing alternative energy sources. The desire to develop alternative energy sources is growing rapidly, here and around the world. The industry will need qualified people to service the technology that is involved.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind now provides enough electricity to serve 5.3 million American homes or power a fleet of more than 1 million plug-in hybrid vehicles. This amount of wind capacity can generate as much electricity every year as 28.7 million tons of coal or 90 million barrels of oil.  Wind generation currently displaces 34 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking 5.8 million vehicles off the road.  A U.S. Department of Energy study released in May found that wind could provide 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030.  At that level, wind power would support 500,000 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as taking 140 million vehicles off the road.

The new associate’s degree program will cover an overview of alternative energy sources, with specialized training in electronics, electronic controls, mechanical systems and more.  The program will focus on residential-sized wind turbines and will include training on utility scale turbines.