Wind Application Center
Overview
The South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Wind Application Center (SDWAC) is located in Brookings at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University in the Mechanical Engineering Department under the direction of Michael Twedt. Twedt has been the SDWAC director since its establishment in 2007. The SDWAC leads the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Wind for Schools (SDWfS) efforts through technical analysis, classroom and event workshops for K-12 students and data interpretation/download aid to participating schools. Steve Wegman is the SDWfS Liaison and has served in this role since its inception. Wegman supports the SDWfS program via resource development.
The SDWAC/SDWfS core activities include supporting onsite wind turbine analysis and installation at the participating schools, providing wind energy education outreach to regional K-12 students, assisting schools with wind turbine issues and supporting wind energy production data transfer.
Outreach
Our key results to date include hands-on wind energy outreach to approximately 300 K-12 students per year. We have assisted in the installation of wind turbines at the following sites in South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã:
- Elkton Public School; Elkton.
- Memorial Middle School; Sioux Falls.
- Faith High School; Faith.
- Sanborn Central School District, Forestburg.
- à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Valley Elementary School; North Sioux City.
- Selby High School; Selby.
- Douglas School District; Box Elder.
- Yankton School District; Yankton.
- Wessington Springs High School; Wessington Springs.
- Lake Andes Central High School; Lake Andes.
- Brookings Middle School, Brookings (portable wind turbine).
The following is a Google map of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã showing SDWfS school wind turbine installations (indicated by the stars).
The hands-on activities have generated exceptionally positive feedback from local schools and we expect to continue to generate positive learning experiences. Since wind energy systems utilize such a wide array of professions and fields, including engineering and sciences, these exercises are applicable to many different K-12 classes as well to a wide array of K-12 student's future career interests. Common related topics addressed in K-12 include wind and renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainability, environmental stewardship and green design.
Students
Important Metrics for SDWAC/SDWfS:
- Offer ME416/516 Renewable Energy Systems course at SDSU. Wind energy is a major component of the course.
- Developed Sustainable Energy Systems Minor at SDSU.
- Approximately two to five undergraduate students are employed annually to support SDWAC outreach.
- Perform hands-on wind energy activities to K-12 students (approx. 400+ students/year).