The SDT Division has successfully conducted the 28th International Training Course on "Wind Turbine Technology and Applications" during 29th November to 15th December 2023, 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. 21 participants attended the course from 12 ITEC countries, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkmenistan and Uganda.
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 along with the participants of the training. The participants had introduced themselves to the gathering during the inaugural function.
The course will address 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.
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| Dr. P. Kanagavel delivering the Welcome Address |
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| Inauguration of the Course |
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| S.A. Mathew delivering the inaugural address |
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.
On the contrary, due to Michaung cyclone, the study visits which were scheduled to Kayathar / Tirunelveli / Kanyakumari were cancelled to ensure the safety of the participants. The classes earmarked during this period were rescheduled and adjusted so as to conduct online classes on 8th and 9th December 2023. Instead of Study visits the following two factory visits and a study visit were scheduled in and around Chennai.
The participants were taken to the training facilities 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 of demonstration gave a comprehensive view of the layout and equipment positioning of a wind turbine. The participants were also shown the method of blade manufacturing and also a brief about blade repair. The visit to the prototype installation, which had most of 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.
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| Visit of Training facility at Vestas Technology, Ammapettai |
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 that involve critical seismic engineering issues. They had a deeper understanding of these concepts.
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| Participants at CSIR-SERC |
The participants were taken for a factory visit to M/s. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd., Mamandur, where they had a chance of seeing the wind turbine nacelle assembling, and other connected equipment like hub and gear train with respect to wind turbine from the industry experts who are actually in the field. Participants were also shown the stores which was sandwiching both the production bays and had the necessary components for the assembling of hub, nacelle and gear train.
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| Participants at M/s. Siemens Gamesa, Chennai |
The participants were 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, Metrological Mast, Biogas Plant and SRRA Station and Wind Energy Training Systems.
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| Participants visiting the NIWE Facilities |
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| Participants practicing yoga |
The valedictory function was conducted on 15th December 2023. The participants were asked to share their views about the training conducted. The participants appreciated NIWE for conducting the course and also thanked the coordinator and NIWE staff. Shri. S.A. Mathew, Director and Head, Certification & IT, NIWE distributed the course certificates to all the participants during the Valedictory Function.
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| S.A. Mathew distributing the Course Certificate |
The course was appreciated by each of the participant stating that it encouraged a positive learning environment and found it very effective and beneficial. The quality of training provided by the faculty fostered a very easy learning process and easily elucidated the course content.
During the training course the participants felt recognizing the value of training, actively engaging in the learning process so as to apply the knowledge gained when they go back to their work spots. The system of taking notes during class hours in the laptop, summarizing key points and jotting down questions for clarification were the key takeaways of the course. Clear and concise presentation helped participants easily grasp the concepts thereby motivating the participants.
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| Group photo of the participants |
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