KERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT – CERRO COSO COLLEGE

RET C161 COURSE OUTLINE OF RECORD

  1. DISCIPLINE AND COURSE NUMBER:
    RET C161
  2. COURSE TITLE:
    Wind Turbine Components and Systems
  3. SHORT BANWEB TITLE:
    Wind Turbine Comp/Sys
  4. COURSE AUTHOR:
    Buxamusa, Adnan
  5. COURSE SEATS:
    -
  6. COURSE TERMS:
    70 = Fall; 30 = Spring
  7. CROSS-LISTED COURSES:
  8. PROPOSAL TYPE:
    CC New Course
  9. START TERM:
    70 = Fall, 2012
  10. C-ID:
    N
  11. CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:
    This course introduces students to operational effects on wind turbine generator sub-systems and components and failure mechanisms. It also covers typical monitoring, operation and maintenance issues for these various components and sub-systems.

  12. GRADING METHOD

    Default:
    S = Standard Letter Grade
    Optional:
    A = Audit;P = Pass/No Pass
  13. TOTAL UNITS:
    4

  14. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS / UNITS & HOURS:

    Method
    Min Units
    Min Hours
    Lecture
    3
    54
    Lab
    1
    54
    Activity
    0
    0
    Open Entry/Open Exit
    0
    0
    Volunteer Work Experience
    0
    0
    Paid Work Experience
    0
    0
    Non Standard
    0
    0
    Non-Standard Hours Justification:

  15. REPEATABILITY

    Type:
    Non-Repeatable Credit
  16. MATERIALS FEE:
    No
  17. CREDIT BY EXAM:
    No
  18. CORE MISSION APPLICABILITY:
    Career Technical Education (CTE)
  19. STAND-ALONE:
    No

  20. PROGRAM APPLICABILITY

    Required:
    Renewable Energy Technology (AS Degree Program)
    Renewable Energy Technology - Entry Level Wind Energy Technician (Certificate of Achievement)
    Elective:

  21. GENERAL EDUCATION APPLICABILITY

    Local:
    IGETC:
    CSU:
    UC Transfer Course:
    CSU Transfer Course:

  22. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to

    1. Explain the physics behind the energy conversion process for a Wind Turbine Generator (WTG).
    2. Draw a schematic highlighting the interoperability of Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) sub-systems.
    3. Outline the key failure modes and most susceptible components and/or subs-systems on WTGs.
    4. Isolate typical WTG sub-system fault areas on simulator/trainer.
    5. Demonstrate proper set-up procedures for WTG mechanical sub-systems on simulator/trainer.

  23. REQUISITES

    Prerequisite:

    MATH C050
    and
    RET C100

  24. DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE:

    Lecture:

    A.    Basics of the mechanics and physics of energy conversion for Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) 
              1. scalars and vectors
              2. force and components of force
              3. lift and drag (on airfoil/wind turbine blade)
              3. velocity and wind velocity
              4. torque
              5. momentum
              6. energy and rotational kinetic energy
              7. power and power extraction for WTGs

    B.    The different electrical and mechanical (including pneumatic and hydraulic) WTG systems
             1. overview of WTG safe operating procedures (SOPs) including Lock-out/Tag-out
             2. blade pitch system (electric, hydraulic)
             3. yawing system (electric, hydraulic)
             4. gearbox and transmission (electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic)
             5. braking systems (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic)
             6. rotational shafts and bearings (mechanical)
             7. sensors and gauges (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic)

    C.    The operational life of major WTG systems and components and their wear contributors
             1. blades
             2. bearings
             3. gearbox
             4. transmission
             5. motors
             6. generator
             7. ancilary systems (filters, hoses, lubricants, pumps, etc.)
             8. electrical power systems
             9. control electronics

    D.    Operation and maintenance (O&M) issues
             1. SOPs and communications links 
             2. vibration analysis
             3. proper set-up, balance and alignment of rotating power train components
             4. inspection of lubricants, oil and filters
             5. take lubricant and oil samples for lab analysis
             6. change lubricant, oil and filters
             7. conduct thermal analysis of major mechanical and electrical components
             8. functional check of electrical systems
             9. troubleshooting (T/S) schema and process flow
           10. T/S corrective action and reporting
           11. other preventive inspections and troubleshooting

    Lab:

    A.      Safety — A re-iteration
                1. Proper test equipment selection and usage
                2. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) selection and usage
                3. Safe operating procedures (SOPs)

    B.      WTG Monitoring System
                1. Control panel overview and operation
                2. System power-down procedure

    C.      Safe power down of operating WTG (on Lab-Volt simulator)
                1. Lock-out tag-out procedures
                2. Battery back-up/accumulator check
                3. Blade-pitch control, braking, and locking
                4. Locking yaw drive

    D.      Mechanical and Hydraulics Systems Checks
                1. Mechanical component tests (e.g. vibration analysis, simulated system alignment, etc.)
                2. Fluid systems inspection procedures
                3. Operating hydraulics circuits (on hydraulics trainer)

    E.      Troubleshoot and correct simulated component/sub-system faults
                1. Troubleshoot area of failure
                2. Implement corrective action
                3. Safely power-up and start simulated WTG system (using LabVolt trainer)

  25. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION--Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

    1. Audiovisual;
    2. Demonstration;
    3. Discussion;
    4. Field trip;
    5. Group Work;
    6. Guest Lecturers;
    7. Instruction through examination or quizzing;
    8. Laboratory;
    9. Lecture;
    10. Library;
    11. Outside reading;
    12. Peer analysis, critique & feedback;
    13. Peer-to-peer instruction;
    14. Presentations (by students);
    15. Problem Solving;
    16. Project-based learning;

  26. OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: Out of class assignments may include but are not limited to

    • Study personal notes taken during classroom lecture. [Classroom topic example: "How does wind velocity affect rotational blade energy."] • Study classroom handouts. [Example on a handout: "Overview of major systems in a utility-grade wind turbine generator."] • Conduct individual research (library, internet, etc.) [Example of research topic: "What are the major component failures in a wind turbine generator."] • Collaborate on team project and incorporate harmonized results of individual study into a logical report on the assigned subject matter. [For example: "Research current best industry practices on lubrication and maintenance of large WTG gearboxes," or "What are the current trends in increasing service life of rotating components."]

  27. METHODS OF EVALUATION: Assessment of student performance may include but is not limited to

    • Class discussion (Be active listener and participant in discussing lecture topics as needed for best learning comprehension.). Example of discussion topic: "How does the size of the rotor blade impact the energy capture of a wind turbine generator (WTG)?"
    • Quizzes on topics covered in class &/or assigned study topics. Example of quiz question: "The typical mean time before failure of a WTG gearbox is 7 years? [True or False]"
    • Lab demonstration of topics learned from classroom lectures. A typical lab example: "Demonstrate alignment procedure for the main shaft to the transmission."
    • Team effort toward Lab projects—for example, this would be assigned as a team project with individual areas of activity &/or research that is woven into a seamless project as described earlier in § 26. Examples for Final Project topics are: "Demonstrate vibration analysis techniques and quantify results," or "Conduct a thermographic analysis of the key electrical and mechanical components of the system and identify premature component failure risks."

  28. TEXTS, READINGS, AND MATERIALS: Instructional materials may include but are not limited to

    Textbooks
    Brumbach, M., Clade, J.. (2003) Industrial Maintenance, , Cengage
    This book is the latest edition and is considered to be an authoritative text on understanding and maintaining different systems such as electrical, mechanical, etc., by Laramie County Community College. Laramie CCC's graduates are considered to be amongst the best trained 2-year Associate Degree graduates by the wind industry. Specifically, this textbook covers O&M procedures for the multi-crafted technician and has individual chapter that cover: Mechanical Power Transmission, Bearings, Coupled Shaft Alignment, Lubrication, Seals & Packing, Pumps & Compressors, and Piping Systems—all very applicable to the major sub-systems in a modern WTG. Lastly, this textbook is also the recommended textbook for the RET-C161 and RET-C263 courses.
    Manuals
    Periodicals
    Software
    Other
  29. METHOD OF DELIVERY:
    Online with some required face-to-face meetings (“Hybrid”);Face to face;
  30. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
    Engineering (Masters Required);Engineering Technology (Masters Required);Industrial Technology;Technology (Masters Required);

  31. APPROVALS:

    Origination Date
    10/23/2011
    Last Outline Revision
    02/24/2012
    Curriculum Committee Approval
    02/24/2012
    Board of Trustees
    05/03/2012
    State Approval
    UC Approval
    UC Approval Status
    CSU Approval
    70 = Fall 2012
    CSU Approval Status
    Approved
    IGETC Approval
    IGETC Approval Status
    CSU GE Approval
    CSU GE Approval Status