785-243-1435
Geary County campus
631 Caroline Avenue
Junction City, KS 66441
785-238-8010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2007
Contact: Bruce Graham, (800) 729-5101, ext. 256
Graham Attends Wind Energy Training
(CONCORDIA,KS) -- Cloud County Community College Wind Energy Instructor Bruce Graham attended the Bergey Wind Turbine Training in Norman, Oklahoma, November 5 through 7. Graham formerly taught in the Bennington School district.
Started by renowned Piper Cherokee aircraft designer Karl Bergey, the Bergey WindPower Company was established in 1977 amid a number of competitors. The company has emerged as the sole surviving wind turbine manufacturer because of the ruggedness and reliability of its turbines. Warranted for five years, the blades are made with the Pultruded fiberglassing process. The Bergey has only four moving parts designed to last 30 years with an annual inspection and is marketed to the private sector. Residential wind turbines available are the SL1(1 kilowatt off-the-grid 24 volt) and the EXCEL (10 kilowatt grid tie unit). Bergey is currently developing a 5 kilowatt grid tie turbine for residential use and a 50 kilowatt grid tie turbine for commercial use.
The eleven participants in the three-day Bergey Training were provided information on safety climbing equipment and proper tower climbing procedures. They then constructed a residential-size EXCEL 10 Kilowatt Bergey wind turbine, including setting it on the base pad and leveling the tower. Participants also toured the manufacturing plant and assembly facility, including the workshop which houses maintenance and service support.
Bergey manufactures the small wind turbines which are not seen that much in Kansas. Forty other states regulate metering of the small turbines which allows the owner to generate electricity beyond the owner’s needs and sell it to a power company. When the turbine owner needs additional electricity, it is then provided by the power company at no charge—Graham likens this to an energy savings account with deposits and withdrawals.
Cloud County Community College, in partnership with Manhattan Area Technical College, is the only college in Kansas to offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology. Individuals interested in the program may contact Graham at Cloud’s Concordia campus.
-END-
Photo Cutline:
Cloud’s Wind Energy Program Instructor Bruce Graham climbs a Bergy wind turbine during training in Norman, Oklahoma.