Lethbridge College’s International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA) will shift from classroom instruction to community engagement as part of a partnership to capitalize on economic development opportunities in 22 southern Alberta communities.
The college has teamed up with SouthGrow Regional Initiative, an economic development alliance of nearly two dozen south central Alberta communities committed to working together to help the region prosper. Lethbridge College’s International Wind Energy Academy team of community liaisons will conduct Community Renewable Energy Assessments in each of the SouthGrow rural communities. At the end of the study, the communities will have a living document for investment readiness and to have a stronger understanding of opportunities and gaps in moving forward with alternative energy developments.
“The International Wind Energy Academy is excited about building community capacity in renewable energy development and we feel this is an exciting fit that will benefit the region for many years,” says Greg Peterson, who developed the internationaly recognized Lethbridge College Wind Turbine Technician Certificate Program back in 2005 and is the current program administrator for the college’s International Wind Energy Academy. “Educating municipalities, landowners and various organizations about the opportunities to embrace renewable energy initiatives gives them an incredible opportunity to diversify and harness our natural resources.”
IWEA is focused on providing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of industry as the adoption of renewable energy grows. Not only is the organization focused on increased capacity, quality of life and infrastructure, but also expanded learning and skill development.
“SouthGrow is a region well positioned for economic diversification and thanks to our partnership with Lethbridge College, completing this renewable energy opportunity assessmentwill ensure each community is ready to act on development that wants to invest,” says Sandra Nelson, Board Chair of SouthGrow.
Tying this commitment to renewable energy with the region’s rural communities is familiar business for the college. Lethbridge College remains connected to the region by offering courses and programs in small towns as well as through video conferencing. With this extensive experience in renewable energy training and rural capacity building, the college is well positioned to conduct the “Community Renewable Energy Assessment” with SouthGrow.
The goal of the assessment is to provide information that will help the rural communities understand their economic development opportunities. As the project wraps up in February 2012, each community will have an action plan and a final report of the finding and recommendation. The action plan will include short and long-term goals for communities looking to diversify and implement alternative energy projects/initiatives.