September 22, 2010

NYSERDA and Hudson Valley Community College Unveil Wind Turbines to Support Clean Energy Technology Curriculum

Two Five-Kilowatt Wind Systems Installed at TEC-SMART Education Center

Two small wind turbines that will be used to train New York's future green collar workers were unveiled today at Hudson Valley Community College's (HVCC) TEC-SMART educational facility in Malta, N.Y. The turbines, which were funded in part by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), also will supply a portion of the site's electricity with clean, renewable power.

The turbines will be used to teach Hudson Valley students about wind turbine design, modeling, siting, and safe assembly, among other topics.

“We need to continue to invest in the new green energy economy, and that starts with providing training to that industry's future employees,” said Congressman Scott Murphy. “These turbines will enable a new generation of students to prepare for new clean energy jobs. I will continue to work to make sure that not only are we investing in Upstate New York's energy future, but we are also making sure that those jobs stay Upstate.”

“These new turbines are yet another important addition to HVCC's extensive training opportunities and will provide individuals with critical skills needed to prepare them for the clean energy economy,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “This project is an investment that will help New York increase our use of renewable and sustainable energy for the future.”

“These turbines at TEC-SMART are a visible reminder of how Hudson Valley is helping foster a new kind of career path for New York's residents—one in the rapidly accelerating field of wind energy,” said Andrew J. Matonak, President of Hudson Valley Community College. “Through this partnership with NYSERDA, we are happy to be on the cutting edge of wind turbine technician training.”

The two five-kilowatt wind turbines stand 120 feet tall and are adjacent to the TEC-SMART building. Each turbine will generate nearly 2500 kilowatt hours of clean renewable electricity or roughly 1 percent of TEC-SMART's electricity load. NYSERDA provided $29,000 in funding for the purchase and installation of the wind turbines.

TEC-SMART is the Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies located at NYSERDA’s Saratoga Technology + Energy Park® (STEP®).

TEC-SMART, a $13.5 million state-of-the-art educational facility, opened in January. The facility features more than a dozen classrooms and laboratories. Renewable technologies, such as solar Photovoltaic (PV), wind, and geothermal heating and cooling are built into the campus building. They are used for educating and training students for employment in New York’s growing clean tech sector. They also supply the campus with a portion of its electricity, heating, and cooling loads.

STEP's knowledge-based community is a strategic location that enables companies to tap into a highly skilled work force and state-of-the-art facilities. Its proximity to universities, clean energy manufacturing, and research companies create an opportunity for synergy and collaboration.

For more information, visit www.hvcc.edu.

Contact:

Eric Bryant, Hudson Valley Community
518-629-8072
e.byrant@hvcc.edu

Jeffrey Gordon, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 ext. 3544
jrg@nyserda.ny.gov