DEVELOPING A WIND TURBINE and POWER SYSTEMS WORKFORCE

Power plant operators from the Chaninik region are ‘spreading their wings’. Over the last couple months power system technicians and operators from the villages of Tuntutuliak, Kwigillingok and Kongiganak participated in high level Wind Turbine system operations, maintenance, and tower climbing safety training.

The Chaninik Wind Group (CWG) has been busy training their own local workforce to meet the needs of the advanced wind / diesel systems they are installing in their communities. Their long range goal is to build ‘self reliance, self sufficiency and reliability’ in operating and maintaining their own power plants. Many of the CWG diesel power plants now include Wind Turbine systems with plans to build advanced ‘smart-grid’ capabilities in an effort to enhance heating, billing and efficiencies to each village residence and public facility.

“In the long-run, these guys are going to be some of the most competent Wind Turbine and Advanced Hybrid – Wind / Diesel Systems operators in the state. The expertise they are developing will eventually build reliability in our systems, help to lower the cost of power in all our communities and raise our own employability standards” said William Iqkurak, President of the Chaninik Wind Group and Manager of Kwig Power.

The CWG projects are progressive in their approach. The region has some of the best wind energy resources in the world. The wind systems being deployed will not only supply power to the electrical grid but by constructing a smart grid system in each community, the potential to turn excess wind energy into heat energy for homes and public facilities is possible. While these new technology developments take time to bring into production, CWG managers and operators are on the cusp of these developments and are being trained to install and operate some of the first complete systems of their kind in the Nation.

Renewable Energy Technician and Educator Martin Leonard, of Bethel, helped lead the trainings for IES and the Chaninik Wind Group. “We brought in top US technicians to share expertise and knowledge. Trainings took place in the villages of Kongiganak and Kwigillingok where operators had the opportunity to work ‘close to home’; bringing all the physical nuances of working safely in cold weather and harsh conditions into play. Providing hands-on training on their own equipment, in their own facilities was invaluable”, said Leonard.

Some of the training to date includes, 9 CWG operators in the region have obtained Nationally recognized certifications in Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance, 12 in Tower Climbing Safety Rescue and Access, 10 OSHA Heavy Construction, 10 in Diesel Systems Operations and more. All certified technicians are currently employed with CWG projects in their respective village power facilities.

CWG has plans to continue their workforce training efforts and are developing training initiatives in: Operations and Maintenance of their village Electrical Distribution Systems, Competent Persons - Safety and Rescue, Residential Electrical Systems, Lineman, Wind Turbine Controllers as well as supporting sustainability and ongoing competencies through ‘Train the Trainer’ efforts.

*training funded in part by the AKDOL DTF*