Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) marked the launch of a new wind turbine at its Oak Creek Campus with a ribboncutting ceremony on November 9, at the Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing (ECAM). The 47-foot-high wind turbine generates 3.5 kilowatts and completes the renewable energy sources portfolio at ECAM. Other elements include a geothermal heat pump, two solar thermal systems and several photovoltaic systems.

An on-campus weather station provides the opportunity to see variables that change renewable energy performance of the solar thermal and photovoltaic systems as well as the wind turbine. The station replicates industry standards that students would encounter on the job. Two wind power courses will begin in the fall 2013 semester. The wind turbine will be incorporated into the curricula of other academic programs at the college.

ECAM, a 34,000-square-foot applied technology center, opened in 2007 on the MATC Oak Creek campus to answer the increasing challenges facing manufacturers in southeastern Wisconsin. It boasts six learning laboratories in the areas of advanced manufacturing, manufacturing welding, advanced software, energy solutions, HVAC computer programs and digital controls.

Certification programs prepare students for careers in areas such as facilities operations, renewable and alternative energy, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), energy auditing, electric utility micro-grids and intelligent lighting. ECAM is now accepting registration for 2013 spring semester classes.

Location: 6665 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek. For more information, call 414-273-3226 or visit matc.edu/ecam/.