Wind Application Center
Established in 2007, South Dakota Wind Application Center is located in Brookings at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ and is under the direction of Michael Twedt. The center leads the South Dakota Wind for Schools efforts through technical analysis, classroom and event workshops for K-12 students and data interpretation/download aid to participating schools. Steve Wegman is the program's liaison and supports the program via resource development.
Our core activities include supporting on-site 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 Dakota:
- Elkton Public School; Elkton
- Memorial Middle School; Sioux Falls
- Faith High School; Faith
- Sanborn Central School District, Forestburg
- Dakota 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 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
Metrics
- Offer ME416/516 Renewable Energy Systems course at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. Wind energy is a major component of the course.
- Developed Sustainable Energy Systems Minor at the university.
- Approximately two to five undergraduate students are employed annually to support the Wind Application Center's outreach.
- Perform hands-on wind energy activities to K-12 students (approximately 400-plus students per year).
