Report

29^th International Training Course on

"Wind Turbine Technology and Applications"

specially for ITEC partner countries

held during 24^th January - 09^th February 2024

INTRODUCTION

The SDT Division has successfully conducted the 29^th International Training Course on "Wind Turbine Technology and Applications" during 24^th January to 09^th February 2024, sponsored by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India under ITEC programme. The course addressed all aspects of Wind Power starting from introduction to wind and its technology, wind resource assessment, installation and commissioning, operation and maintenance aspects of wind farms in a focused manner along with financial and policy aspects. 28 participants attended the course from 11 ITEC partner countries, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Maldives, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.

INAUGURAL FUNCTION

The course was inaugurated by Shri. S.A. Mathew, Director and Head, Certification and IT Division, NIWE in the presence of the Course Coordinator, Dr. P. Kanagavel, Director & Head, SDT Division, NIWE. The participants had introduced themselves during the inaugural function.

CLASSROOM LECTURES

During the 18 days course, 19 classroom lectures were scheduled apart from study visits to wind farm and wind turbine manufacturing factory. The course content of the training was handled by Scientists and Engineers of NIWE, who have years of experience in the field.

RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITY VISIT AT NIWE

The participants have also visited the Renewable Energy facilities available in NIWE campus, such as, Water Pumping Windmill, Vertical and Horizontal Axis Small Wind Turbines, Wind-Solar Hybrid System, Wind Turbine Nacelle Assembly facility, Meteorological Mast, Biogas Plant and SRRA Station and Wind Energy Training Systems.

STUDY TOUR

The participants were taken on a study visit to the southern part of Tamil Nadu to visit Wind Turbine Test Station at Kayathar, where they got exposure on small and large wind turbine testing process apart from visiting wind turbine service providers – Gearbox repairs at Narayana Wind Power Pvt. Ltd., Aralvaimozhi, operation and maintenance of wind turbines at RS Windtech Engineering Limited, Aralvaimozhi, data collection and electrical support at Wind World Clean Energy Forever, Manur and centralized monitoring station at Suzlon Global Services Limited, Thattaparai.

CULTURAL PLACE VISIT

Participants visited and enjoyed the cultural place visit at the Southern tip of India which comprises of the Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari. They were also thrilled by the boat ride from the sea shore to the Rock Memorial which took about 25 minutes of travel.

FACTORY VISIT

The participants were taken to the training facility of M/s. Vestas Wind Technology India Pvt. Ltd., Ammapettai, which provided valuable insights into the various components and its finer points in the installation and maintenance of wind turbine. The simulator method which also was supported by having a close look of even the smallest component by means of a Virtual Reality demonstration gave a comprehensive view of the layout and equipment positioning of a wind turbine. The visit to the prototype installation, which had all the components of a wind turbine was equally impressive. The presentation given before this was well structured and delivered in a clear and concise manner making it very easy for the participants to understand the complexities in the assembling of a wind turbine.

STUDY VISIT

The participants were also taken for a visit to CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Taramani where they were initially shown the wind engineering laboratory consisting of a state-of-the-art Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel (BLWT) facility, one of the largest boundary layer wind tunnels available in our country. The participants got an insight about the advancements in technology and the innovations being done in the wind industry. The participants were also shown the Advanced Seismic Testing and Research laboratory (ASTaR). This laboratory is the state-of-the-art facility incorporating all major seismic technologies using advanced simulation and payload techniques that cover critical seismic engineering parameters. They had a deeper understanding of these concepts.

YOGA FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

As part of the training course to inculcate a good and healthy mode of living, yoga practice was introduced to the international participants to show the benefits of yoga and heritage of India.

VALEDICTORY FUNCTION

The valedictory function was conducted on 09th February 2024. Ms. Abhilasha Joshi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India was the Chief Guest for the occasion. The function started with the feedback of the participants and they shared their views about the training conducted.

Thereafter, Dr. P. Kanagavel, Course Coordinator enlightened the gathering with the course summary by highlighting the activities of 18 days of the training. Also the feedback given by the participants was summarized and consolidated. The toppers in the assessment conducted were also displayed during the presentation. Shri S.A. Mathew welcomed the Chief Guest and introduced her to the august gathering and delivered the Address. Thereafter, the Chief Guest delivered the Valedictory address by quoting that the course was comprehensive in itself and it was heartwarming to see the feedback of the participants. This was followed by the distribution of course certificates to all the participants. The programme ended with a Vote of Thanks given by Shri. A. Senthil Kumar, Director and Head, Testing, S&R Division, NIWE.

PARTICIPANTS’ APPRECIATION AND FEEDBACK

The participants were continuously appreciating MEA and NIWE for having organized such a course and also told that this was a golden opportunity given to then to gain knowledge about Wind Energy. They added that they had also developed a friendship by means of this training that will last for a lifetime. Participants presently working in the non-technical line felt the necessity to work in the Renewable Energy sector. The study tour which comprised of cultural visits was well appreciated and had experienced a different culture and heritage being present in India.The course was appreciated by each of the participant stating that it encouraged a positive learning environment and found it very effective and beneficial.

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