Clean Energy Credentials: Wind Turbine Technology and Sustainable Energy Certificates
Whether you are a graduating high school senior, a current college student, or a seasoned professional, there is something for everyone in the Wind Turbine Technology and Sustainable Energy Certificates at FSC. All of these programs will help to improve your awareness of opportunities in wind power and sustainable energy available to you.
WIND TURBINE TECHNOLOGY
This certificate program will prepare students for technical careers in wind energy technology. Demand for wind energy technicians is on the rise, given the country is on a path to generate 20% of its energy needs from wind by 2030. Facilities and laboratories specifically designed and equipped for the certificate coursework will provide students with hands-on experience to learn and apply theory through the use of trainers and virtual reality simulations. Graduates will be prepared as entry-level wind turbine technicians, capable of demonstrating skills in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting wind energy related equipment.
Wind Turbine Service Technician Career Outlooks:
- According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wind Turbine Service Technicians are/will be the second fastest growing occupation from 2021-2031, with a 44% growth rate, with a national median salary of $56,260 per year in May of 2021.
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians in New York State had a mean annual salary of $67,010 in May of 2021.
Potential Employers:
Living and Working at Sea:
What's it like to Work on a Service Operations Vessel?
Watch this short video to see what life is like maintaining an offshore wind farm and living out at sea for two weeks at a time.
Haliade-X offshore wind turbine - Installation Time Lapse
[Music Playing]
Installation time lapse of the world's most powerful wind turbine - GE Renewable Energy's
Haliade-X - in Rotterdam Port, the Netherlands.
Orsted's Green Transformation
Watch Orsted's story on their sustainable business transformation with offshore wind technology as a significant contributor.
The Wind Turbine Technology Certificate Experience
Farmingdale State College student and faculty member speak on the College's Wind Turbine Technology Certificate Program.
Wind Turbine Technology Certificate Technical Standards for Admission and Retention
All students in the Wind Turbine Technology Certificate program at Farmingdale State College must meet the safety and technical standards in the following areas: communication, observation, motor, and intellectual-conceptual attributes.
Communication Skills: The student must possess the ability to communicate effectively using reasonable grammar and syntax in both oral and written formats. In addition, the student must notice and appreciate both verbal and nonverbal communication when performing design or manufacturing processes. Examples of communication skills include but are not limited to:
· Read and comprehend technical manuals, drawings, manufacturer’s specifications, instructions, and warning labels in the prevailing language of United States codes, standards, and licensure
· Effectively report to the supervisor turbine-related issues.
· Present testing results to supervisor and/or peers
Sensory Observation Skills: Students must be able to make independent observations and assessments when operating testing equipment or machines. Student must have the functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, and smell which are necessary in assessing and maintaining work environment safely. Examples of sensory observation skills include but are not limited to:
· Perform visual inspection on turbine and nacelle components
· Possess quick sensory response time
· Detect and respond to auditory signals from testing equipment or machines
Motor Skills: The student is required to perform gross and fine motor movements, maintain consciousness and equilibrium, and possess the physical strength and stamina which are necessary to operate testing equipment or machines safely. Examples of motor skills include but are not limited to:
· Properly inspect mechanical components using measurement tools
· Properly connect hoses in pneumatic and hydraulic control circuits
· Properly connect wires between programmable logic controller PLC and solenoid valves
Intellectual-conceptual skills: The student must possess the ability to problem solve, establish a plan of action, set priorities, calculate, measure, analyze and synthesize objective as well as subjective data. These critical skills are essential for applying technical concepts and to safely operate testing equipment or machines. In addition the student must possess the ability to understand and comprehend three dimensional and spatial relationships.
Environmental Tolerability: Students must have the ability and willingness to climb towers up to 300 feet, the ability to lift and manage up to 50 pounds, and the ability and willingness to transfer to/from boats and travel via boat to offshore towers.
Important Consideration: Addition screening may be required by employers following graduation including toxicology tests. In addition, specialized physical training such as GWO Basic Skills courses require participants to weigh less than 275 pounds.
For more information contact
Renewable Energy & Sustainability Center
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATE
The fully online Sustainable Energy Certificate has been designed to respond to the rapidly expanding need for skilled professionals in sustainable energy-related occupations. The certificate provides fundamental information about emerging sustainable energy systems, including solar photovoltaics (solar PV), wind energy technologies, energy storage systems, and geothermal systems. The certificate offers learners a credential in preparation for entry-level support positions in sustainable energy or to supplement experience gained in traditional energy sectors. Graduates will possess expertise in determining the benefits of integrating the sustainable energy fields associated with the certificate program into the existing energy production infrastructure. The graduates will also gain competency in evaluating the impact of energy policies in the specific sustainable energy field as well as serving in public-facing roles to improve awareness and acceptance of emerging sustainable energy sources. Graduates will be able to describe the environmental impacts associated with sustainable energy sources.
Online instruction offers the flexibility to add this academic credential to a work or academic history to broaden career directions without synchronous time commitment.
Graduates can serve in public-facing positions to advocate for greater awareness and acceptance of renewable energy applications. Governmental leaders espouse the importance of a shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewable resources. As funding for sustainable initiatives backs this political stance, such as New York State’s commitment to clean energy through the just-announced Clean Energy Communities program, the implementation of sustainable energy projects will increase the demand for workers whose training prepares them to bridge the technology with consumers.
Potential employers:
· Public utility companies
· Alternative energy companies such as solar power or geothermal distributors
· Governmental enterprises such as cities and towns
· Public advocacy groups supporting sustainable energy
· Sustainable energy project contractors and developers
For more information contact
Renewable Energy & Sustainability Center
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Wind Energy Technology Microcredential |
Wind Energy Technology Microcredential
The Wind Energy Technology microcredential will prepare participants for technical careers in wind energy-related fields. Participants will be provided with hands-on experience to learn and apply theory through the use of trainers and virtual reality simulations. Credits earned from the Wind Energy Technology microcredential may be applied toward the Farmingdale State College Wind Turbine Technology Certificate. These courses may also fulfill Farmingdale State College degree requirements.
- Admission requirements for application:
- Pre-calculus: MTH129 OR Approval by Department Chair
- Electrical Principles: DC/AC Circuits such as EET 104 OR MET 230 OR Physics course covering electricity OR Approval by Department Chair
- Completion of the Microcredential Application on Etrieve
- For non-matriculated students:
- Completion of the non-matriculated student application
- Completion of the Microcredential Application on Etrieve (Instructions will be emailed after completing the non-matriculated student application)
Requirements to earn the microcredential:
To achieve the Wind Energy Technology microcredential, participants will need to be enrolled at FSC and successfully complete a three-course sequence: WTT101 & Two WTT courses (300 level of higher) with a grade of B or better in each course.
Stackable to:
Manufacturing Engineering Technology, B.S.
Facility Management Technology, B.S.
Wind Turbine Technology Certificate
Time to complete:
2 semesters
Cost to attend:
Standard tuition rates apply. For tuition and student consumer information, please click here.
For more information contact
Renewable Energy & Sustainability Center
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