ELTR 2324 Introduction to Small-Wind Technology Syllabus 810 Fall 2026

Credit Hours 4.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 3
Type of Credit
CIP Code
15.0303
Course Meeting Time

W 5.30 pm - 10.30 pm

Course Description

This course explores the design, installation and use of Small-Wind Electrical Generator Systems for consumer and commercial applications. Students will be given theory and hands-on lab experience, sizing, installing and maintaining small-wind electrical generating systems. Basic hand tools must be supplied by the students.

Prerequisites
General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking
  2. Responsibility
Explanation of Course Alignment

Catalog description:

This course explores the design, installation and use of Small-Wind Electrical Generator Systems for consumer and commercial applications. Students will be given theory and hands-on lab experience, sizing, installing and maintaining small-wind electrical generating systems. Basic hand tools must be supplied by the students. An important goal of this course is to help the student earn their CITCA Wind Tower and Nacelle Rescue certification card.

 

Prerequisites: ELTR 1223, ELTR 1064, ELTR 1174

 In general course layout will look as follows: Tower climbing and rescue and knots training; Climbing and rescue and knots competency exam; climbing lecture and written exam; Wind 101 lecture, wind site assessment lecture (online/on-demand) unit quizzes; 1000 W Bergey wind machine removal and maintenance.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Clay Sterling
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8853
Faculty Office Number
T 115
Faculty Student Support Hours

M noon - 1 pm; T/W noon - 1 pm, 3 - 5pm; R noon - 1 pm

Faculty Information

Clay Sterling

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. To give the students the requisite skills and knowledge to work safely when installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining Small-Wind power systems.
  2. To give the students a solid understanding of atmospheric wind dynamics, and how to use that understanding to properly perform a site analysis, and system performance estimates, for a Small-Wind power system.
  3. To give the student a working understanding of wind-harvesting principles, and Small-Wind generator construction and operating characteristics.
  4. To give the student experiential knowledge of all routine Small-Wind BOS (balance-of-system) components, including: inverters, batteries, charge controllers, engine-generator sets, metering, data logging and reporting equipment, circuit protection hardware, etc.
  5. To give the students the requisite skills and knowledge to properly size a Small-Wind system to a specific application, and to select appropriate system components to be included in the system.
  6. To give the student the sufficient understanding of Small-Wind system structural and mechanical considerations, making the student sufficiently aware of the need to properly account for variations in soil load-bearing properties, tower siting constraints, and potential seismic concerns, etc.
  7. To give the students the requisite skills and knowledge to analyze and troubleshoot Small-Wind systems that are not operating properly, or are completely non-functioning; and, to affect proper corrections and repairs to make the system safely and properly functional
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Textbook(s) and/or Course Materials

None required

Also Required: Safety glasses, gloves, close-toed shoes, pants, scientific Calculator and RED PEN!

Methods of Evaluation

Evaluation

Student achievement in the classroom phase of the course will be evaluated on the basis of homework, quizzes and exams. Achievement in the laboratory will be evaluated on the basis of the accuracy and completeness of reports of laboratory activities and of skills developed in the performance of manipulative tasks as evidenced by the workmanship demonstrated in the laboratory assignments. A laboratory final examination may be administered.

NOTE: The following evaluation method may be modified by the instructor as required. Letter grades are determined by the following percentage:

93 - 100 A 85 - 92 B 78 - 84 C 71 – 77 D BELOW 71 F

Assignments will NOT be accepted past the date due without prior approval. Missed quizzes may NOT be made up.

Academic Division

Business, Technology & Human Services

Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650

Course Policies

Course Policies

ATTENDANCE -- If a student has missed more class hours than the number of credit hours to be earned in the class, the instructor may record the grade of "F" for the course. Missed classes may not be made up without prior permission from the instructor. Failure of the student to attend class does not constitute withdrawal. A formal written withdrawal must be made by the student to the Office of Admissions and Records.

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non-Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu.

Course Calendar

Week #

Topical Outline

 

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Course Introduction; Intro to Wind Energy Basics; Intro to Working Safely at Height; Ropes and Knots for Climbing and Rescue.

Tower Climb Safety and Tower Rescue.

Tower Climb Safety and Tower Rescue

 

Tower Climb Safety and Tower Rescue

 

Tower Climb Safety and Tower Rescue

Tower Climb Safety and Tower Rescue

Tower Climb Safety and Tower Rescue

Tower Climb Safety and Tower Rescue

 

Wind Tower and Nacelle Rescue EXAM.

 

Wind 101 lecture and quizzes; wind history, collectors, alternators, towers

Wind 101 lecture and quizzes; alternators, tower types, wind quality and quantity

Wind site assessment online lecture and quizzes; size categories, determining minimum tower height Lab: determining tower height

Wind site assessment online lecture and quizzes; estimating wind speed at hub height, system sizing Lab: system sizing

Wind site assessment Lab: perform wind site assessment

Wind site assessment Lab: perform wind site assessment

Measuring “Wind” and Estimating Wind Turbine Power Output; computer and calculation lab.

 

 

Written Final Exam

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.