Internationally renowned solar energy speaker coming to southern Alberta
Published on September 1, 2011
On Sept 16, in Residence Hall at Lethbridge College the world-renowned solar expert from Germany, Christine Wörlen will speak about how to integrate solar power into urban settings. Recognizing southeast Alberta’s growing solar industry the International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA) has extended an invitation to local residence. To view the full release and to find out how you can RSVP click here.
Background information IWEA:
Lethbridge College’s Wind Turbine Technician Training program has been educating students since 2005 with approximately 40 graduates a year. There are currently 55 students on the wait list for this extremely popular program that provides students with the skills to perform operations and maintenance on 80 metre multi-million dollar turbines in southern Alberta and around the world.
Last year we received Rural Alberta Development Funding to reach beyond the scope of the program and build wind capacity in southern Alberta.
Our three pillars of building wind energy capacity include:
1) Demonstration Sites: We are partnering with the Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale to have a stand-alone Renewable Energy Interpretive Centre with a wind turbine, solar panels and interactive displays to educate children on renewable energy. The centre already sees some 15,000 to 20,00 visitors through their facility from May to September, which includes many school tours. We will also have wind turbine blades and parts in the Town of Pincher Creek, the Town of Vulcan, the Windmill Museum in Etzikom and at Lethbridge College to encourage more discussion regarding wind energy.
2) Education: We are speaking at various conferences and events across Canada and across Alberta. We are also offering Renewable Energy sessions in November and December across communities in southern Alberta (see the attached pdf for an example of one). There are three sessions (each 3 hours long) that will educate attendees on energy efficiency, small and large-scale wind as well as a landowners toolkit with the exact steps needed to put a project on your property. We are also partnering with SouthGrow Regional Initiative, a regional Economic Development Authority to educate 22 communities in south-central Alberta on renewable energy technologies.
3) Expansion of Wind Turbine Program: Since there are 55 students on the waitlist, we are looking at offering the program online as well as with mobile training units that will travel around to high schools providing students early credit for the Wind Turbine Technician Training Program.