Wind Turbines Donated to Colleges
What: Reps from CSI & ISU ESTEC on site to discuss using donated turbines in their wind energy technician training programs
When: Wednesday May 20 at 11am
Where: Lewandowski Wind Farm, 2136 Simco Rd, one exit east of the Stage Stop. From Hwy 84, head south on Simco 1 mile and turn left on Lewandowski Lane.
Contact: Todd Haynes, 208-340-3770
The wind turbines at Lewandowski Farms are being donated to colleges in southern Idaho where they will be used to train wind turbine technicians. One turbine is going to College of Southern Idaho (CSI) and two are going to Idaho State University’s Energy Systems Technology and Education Center (ISU ESTEC).
Each college will use one turbine and tower for training purposes. Additionally, one turbine will be refurbished and used to generate electricity near ISU ESTEC.
Wind energy is the nation’s fastest growing energy source and there is a large and growing demand for qualified technicians to maintain the turbines. The training programs are being developed to help meet that demand. Many of the jobs created will be located at wind farms being developed along the Snake River Plain.
A broad collaboration of industry partners is donating money, time and equipment to lower, disassemble, ship and refurbish the turbines. Donors include:
- Lewandowski Farms, LLC
- Ridgeline Energy, LLC
- Tidwell Idaho Foundation
- Eagle Rock Timber
- Frontier Pro Services
- enXco Service Corporation
- Hytorc
Lewandowski Farms, Idaho’s first commercial wind farm, was built by Bob Lewandowski with used wind turbines. Without help, he modified and erected the turbines one at a time, the first in October 2002 and the third in March 2005. All three turbines were operational for only three months before his untimely death in July 2005.
The used turbines require regular maintenance. After Mr. Lewandowski’s passing, much of that maintenance was deferred leading to failures in each turbine. G3, LLC purchased Lewandowski Farms from the family’s estate in the spring of 2006 and returned the turbines to operational condition. Due to the large amount of maintenance required, the turbines were mothballed in August 2007.
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