Wind energy workshop offered for area businesses
Mahoning Valley manufacturers can learn how to get involved in the fast-growing
wind energy industry at a half-day workshop presented by the Great Lakes WIND
Network on Thursday, Oct. 23 at Youngstown State University. Registration
begins at 8 am and includes a continental breakfast.
The event, to be held in McKay Auditorium at the Beeghly College of Education,
is co-sponsored by the YSU College of Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) and by Graduate Studies and Research. It is one of five
regional workshops the WIND Network is presenting across the state this year,
with grant funding from the Ohio Department of Development.
James “Jeff” Carroll, professor of Physics and Astronomy and YSU’s
representative to the Universities Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio, is the local
workshop facilitator. Martin Abraham, Founding Dean from the College of
STEM, described the conference as, “an opportunity to showcase the alternative
energy programs existing at YSU. For example, we are in the early stages of an
effort to bring a series of wind turbines to YSU that will allow us to compare
conventional technologies with new innovations that increase the efficiency of
these units.” Funding for this effort is included in the 2009 Department of Energy
budget.
The workshop is open to businesses that produce power electronics, control
systems, hydraulics, fasteners, brakes, blades or nacelles, as well as those that
make supplemental items appropriate for the wind industry such as ladders,
elevators, hoists, fire suppression equipment, lighting and meteorological
equipment. Operators of Ohio foundries, forges, machine shops and fabricating
plants are also welcome. Abraham added, “This is an excellent opportunity for
manufacturers to learn how they can become involved in the wind energy
business. We see this as a major growth area for the region, given our historical
breadth in the manufacturing sector.”
The Great Lakes WIND Network has identified more than 50 first- and secondtier manufacturers already involved in supplying the wind energy business, and
the network’s aim is to introduce more Ohio companies to the opportunities and
challenges of entering the wind supply chain. The workshop will include
information about global trends in wind, demand projections, the wind supply
chain structure and standards that suppliers must meet.
About 450 representatives from 200 Ohio manufacturing firms have already
attended the first three workshops, held in the Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo
areas. In addition to the YSU workshop, a fifth event is scheduled Nov. 18 in
Columbus.
To register for the event at YSU, call 216-588-1440, ext 126 or e-mail:
dholody@wire-net.org.The $30, nonrefundable registration fee includes a
continental breakfast.
The Great Lakes WIND Network is an organization of manufacturers and
suppliers that is working to increase the wind industry supply chain in Ohio. It is
funded in part by grants from the Cleveland Foundation, the City of Cleveland
Department of Economic Development, The Burton D. Morgan Foundation and
the Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust.