Category: STL USA news

2019 Wind Energy review, so far..

2019 has already been a huge year for wind energy so we thought we’d look back on some of the big developments so far and those still to come.

2019 has gone so quickly, with so many major developments taking place it feels like we’ve had a full year already and it’s only July! This week’s blog looks at the major sector developments and looks ahead to what’s to come in the sector for the rest of the year. As a GWO trainer we’re well placed to see what is really happening in the sector from an infrastructure and employment perspective and one thing is for certain that wind energy continues to grow, fast.

2019 a year for firsts

Wind energy generated more electricity than coal for the first time this year. April saw wind surpass coal for the first time ever and indications suggest that this will only accelerate the decline in the coal industry. As it becomes ever cheaper to generate power via renewables less profitable fossil fuels are surely on the way out. Much of this demand has been driven by states, cities and corporations commiting to clean energy despite the national backdrop.

New projects show no sign of slowing

Big wind farm news has been coming through at regular intervals. So far this year we have seen the Vinyard offshore farm, Ocean wind off the coast of Atlantic City and two major projects off the Long Island coast announced. This comes against a backdrop of numerous new onshore farms being awarded contracts. The sector is moving fast as the USA catches up with the rest of the world.

Corporates and cities leading the way

Major cities like Dallas and Chicago have made bold commitments to renewable energy. In both cases they have set targets to use 100% clean energy. Despite a national backdrop at odds with renewable energy these are just two examples of cities, states and municipalities taking action into their own hands where energy is concerned.

Corporates are also doing their bit. There is a clear drive towards clean energy as corporates look to secure their energy needs now and in the future. Well known organisations like Facebook have made a clear commitment to wind energy creating hundreds of jobs in the process with other well know organisations following such as AT&T and Google. These companies have set impressive targets and on the face of it it’s great PR but there’s more to it than that. These companies know that renewable costs are steadily reducing vs. increasingly expensive fossil fules. They also know companies who take an active role in managing their energy efficiency perform better over the long term.

STL USA’s year so far

It’s been a super busy year so far at STL USA. 2019 is on course to be a record year for students trained and accredited with GWO qualifications. We’ve attended some great industry events particularly AWEA’s conference in San Diego and we hope to make more friends in the industry over the next months and years.

What’s in store at STL USA

The rest of 2019 is about cementing STL USA’s place as the leading provider of GWO training solutions in the USA. We’re actively recruiting for new trainers and we hope to have secured an additional world class training facility by year end.

STL USA are taking course bookings for August & September GWO training, click below to find out more

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We’re hiring! Want to become a GWO trainer?

Want to become a GWO trainer? We have a great opportunity to join the USA’s fastest growing industry, wind energy.

STL USA are recruiting for new GWO trainers as demand for GWO training courses increases. the wind energy sector in the USA is one of the fastest growing markets with double digit job creation happening yearly. Growth is being driven by cities, states and corporations committing to clean energy, fuelling the boom we are at the center of. There’s no better time to become a GWO trainer.

GWO, Global Wind Organisation, is the industry body responsible for setting common safety standards for technicians in the wind energy sector. Created by its members the GWO have two main safety standards which STL train. The Basic Safety Standard and Basic Technical Standard. Course content covers all aspects of safety for onshore and offshore turbines as well as regular refreshers.

STL deliver training from two main hubs, Texas and Iowa. The facilities at each are world class with extensive climbing systems and turbine mock-ups to practice training.

As a course instructor, you will be delivering GWO and other courses to wind energy technicians at Safety Technology USA’s main training locations in Texas and Iowa as well as remotely onsite with clients.

Friendly and outgoing you will lead training courses of small groups of students. Instructing them on the key safety elements required for them to gain GWO accreditation.

Working with the course delivery teams in the USA and at our UK head office you will deliver training courses to the latest standards.

The following qualifications would be desirable

SPRAT or IRATA Level 2
OSHA 10 / OSHA 30
NFPA Fire Fighter Qual
Ergonomics/Material Handling Certified

As would previous teaching experience (military, safety training, climbing or mountaineering). Strong Verbal and written communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Powerpoint, Excel, Word, Outlook

It’s really important that you can travel as this role requires lots within the USA.

Please forward a full CV along with availability to interview/ start and salary expectations for immediate feedback and a confidential chat.

info@safetytechnologyusa.com

Texas the Wind Energy state.

When you think of energy wind isn’t the first source that springs to mind when you say Texas. But given Texas’ is the leading state in wind energy so we thought we’d explore in more detail.

Texas produces the most wind power of any US state, it’s also home to one of our premier GWO training centers. In 2017, 16% of electricity generated was from wind. Texas has over 40 projects the largest of which is the Roscoe wind farm others include the Hollow Wind Energy Center, Sherbino WInd Farm and the Capricorn Ridge Wind Farm.

Texas is well positioned for a thriving wind sector, west and southern areas benefit from strong predictable winds especially during the day when consumption is at its highest. This is heavily reflected in the jobs market. Wind energy is one of the fastest growing sectors in the USA and a large percentage of those jobs are in Texas. In fact Texas has become somewhat of a mecca for people looking for the steady paycheck that wind energy can provide. There are an estimate 230,000+ jobs in clean energy as a sector (solar, wind, energy efficiency) and an estimated 10,000+ jobs were created in 2018 alone.

Put into context if Texas were a country it would be the sixth largest wind energy producer in the world, the bulk of which is generated in Nolan county. At peak output wind energy has contributed as much as 50% of the states power needs although this normally sits around the 15% mark. It’s these kind of figures that show just what an important role Texas has to play.

It’s not just the turbines themselves that have contributed to job creation it’s the supply chain businesses that are cropping up as part of the wider ecosystem that will continue the growth. From blade manufacturers and components manufacturers through to companies recycling older parts and turning them into building panels the entire sector is awash with opportunity.

Texas’ position as the nation’s wind energy jobs leader is also driving changes in education with many technical and four-year colleges now offering degrees and certificates related to the wind industry. These include turbine service technicians, wind energy project managers, engineers and operations managers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas employs 1,440 wind turbine service technicians, with the average technician making approximately $53,650 annually.

It’s also good news for consumers who enjoy lower costs with the growth of this energy industry with residential power rates approximately 10 percent lower than the national average and industrial power rates approximately 20 percent lower than the national average.

As the leading state for wind energy Texas is the perfect place for our GWO training facility. Located in Sweetwater the center is a modern, state of the art training facility. For more information and to book a training course click the link below:

Linking to Texas training centres, focussing on Texas as the leading state for wind energy in the USA.

GWO training center Texas

Our GWO training center Texas is the second in our roster of centers in the USA. A truly amazing facility housed within the Texas State Technical College.

Located in Sweetwater our second GWO training center Texas is a modern, state-of-the-art training facility and works in conjunction with our headquarters in Abilene, Texas just an hour down the road. Providing some of the best GWO Training in Texas.

Home to a renowned Wind Energy program the center provides; climbing structures, fall-arrest ladders, and various facilities for rope access.

Facilities in detail

The Building; Roof Height 30’ X Width 50’ X Depth 50’

Climbing Structure Height 25’ and one Platform at other end.

2 Fall arrest ladders. (Wind Energy, Telecoms & Industrial Use)

Evacuation Hatch (Wind Energy Use)

20’ Edge Negations for Rope Access and Wind Energy Evacuation.

Training Rooms X 1. With Projector

25’ Mobile Training UNIT with classroom

Services

Open plan Seating Area.

Men’s Restrooms.

Women’s Restrooms.

Vending Machine.

Smoking area External to the building

Courses

We offer the full suite of GWO Basic Safety training courses at our GWO training center in Texas. Including modules for both the Basic Safety Standard and Basic Technical Standard. Including:

Working at Height
Manual Handling
First Aid
Fire Awareness

Training is managed and delivered by our highly qualified team.

What to expect

One thing you are assured of is a warm Texas welcome! Our GWO training center in Texas is one of the premier sites in the USA. A recognized center of excellence for training Wind Energy technicians the center’s facilities provide us with everything we need to ensure we deliver best-in-class training to our regular cohorts. The center is proud to have launched and nurtured many careers in the wind sector. The center also boasts a mobile training unit which enables us to deliver onsite training at applicable sites in the vicinity.

Texas itself is widely recognized as one of the USA’s premier wind energy states. Texas dominates wind energy production with wind accounting for 15% of electricity produced, surpassing coal in 2018. Texas has an enviable location with vast wind resources in West Texas and the Panhandle, which account for most of the state’s wind-generating capacity. texas is responsible for a large chunk of the stellar growth of the sector across the USA, the output is nearly double in other states and this means many jobs are created.

All in all, it’s one of the best places to train!

Find out more by contacting us, just click here.

GWO training center Iowa.

Our GWO training centre Iowa is a truly world class facility. In fact we’re very lucky that all our locations are widely recognised as some of the best in the USA. This week we shine a spotlight on Iowa, looking at the courses and facilities available for our trainee technicians.

Our GWO training centre Iowa is run in partnership with Iowa Lakes community college. It is recognised as one of the best wind energy training centres in the country. The training center is home to a host of facilities including climbing structures, fall arrest ladders, evacuation hatches and various lecture rooms.

Facilities in detail

The Building; Roof Height 30’ X Width 50’ X Depth 50’

Climbing Structure Height 25’ and one Platform at other end.

2 Fall arrest ladders. (Wind Energy, Telecoms & Industrial Use)

Evacuation Hatch (Wind Energy Use)

20’ Edge Negations for Rope Access and Wind Energy Evacuation.

Training Rooms X 1. With Projector

Services

Open plan Seating Area

Men’s Restrooms

Women’s Restrooms

Vending Machine

Smoking area External to the building

Courses

We offer the full suite of GWO training courses at our GWO training center in Iowa. Including modules for both the Basic Safety Standard and Basic Technical Standard. Including:

Working at Height
Manual Handling
First Aid
Fire Awareness

Training is managed and delivered by our highly qualified team.

What to expect

First and foremost you can expect a warm welcome at our GWO training center Iowa. Second you can expect to find yourself in the midst of one of the USA’s premier training facilities. As well as hosting our accredited courses the center also offers the nation’s first Associate in Applied Science Degree in Wind Energy and Turbine Technology. Starting in 2004, Iowa Lakes has been a leader in delivering training and education to meet a rapidly growing demand for operations and maintenance (O&M) technicians across the country and abroad.

In January 2011, Iowa Lakes was one of the first three programs nationwide to earn the American Wind Energy Association’s Seal of Approval for Wind Turbine Service Technician Programs, It truly is a mecca for wind energy. But don’t just take our word for it this is from a former student:

“Because of Iowa Lakes’s Wind program having so much prestige in the wind industry, we had a lot of wind companies come in and meet with us. This allowed us to have great job opportunities once we graduated. Without Iowa Lakes I would not have the career I do now.”

We’re super proud to call this home in Iowa for our GWO training if you’d like to find out more about the full range of courses on offer get in touch via the button below.

AWEA safety conference San Diego

This years AWEA safety conference was a resounding success. the industry came together to discuss the topics of the day and STL was front and center in GWO training.

It’s always a pleasure to attend the AWEA safety conference in San Diego. It’s a great opportunity for the industry to come together and work through the challenges of the day and for STL in particular to meet current and new potential partners in wind energy. This year we played a key role in the GWO training seminars. As an experienced GWO training provider we’re well positioned to talk about our experience and best practice in delivering training for the industries safety standards.

GWO training seminar

Once again Safety Technology USA was asked to take a leading role in this popular seminar. The main focus was training GWO auditors, we were asked about our specific experience and how to best shape the auditing process during site visits. It’s testament to the team at STL that our opinion is sought on how to aduit GWO training and compliance. As a longstanding GWO trainer it gives us an immense sense of pride to know that the organisation whose standards we train looks to us for advice on how to best shape for the future.

Meeting new clients

It’s always easier when you’ve got a solid recommendation. This year was no exception. We met over 50 new companies and it felt like at least half had been sent in our direction by our friends at Siemens. Suffice to say the check is in the post!

It was refreshing to see that companies were focused not just on the basic standards but ongoing training and development of their workforce. STL’s holistic approach to training, equipment and inspection provides the kind of end to end solution that gives partner companies the confidence to know their workforce is safe and can complete their roles.

It was great to see representation from all over the USA. We can’t wait for next year.

Find out more about STL and our GWO training, click below

February wind energy news round up.

Looking back over the February wind energy news there’s been a lot going on in the sector. We summarise the main stories and put our spin on how the sector is shaping up in 2019.

So we’re at the end of the month already. Our February wind energy news round up includes the AWEA San Diego conference, a big push for offshore wind in California and former Iowa State Senator Jeff Danielson joins the AWEA.

AWEA San Diego Conference

First up in our February wind energy news round up we head to San Diego. You can read our full preview story here on the 27th and 28th February we will be exhibiting at the Wind Project O&M and Safety Conference. It’s a great opportunity for our industry to come together and discuss the challenges we face. Wind energy is one of the fastest growing sectors across the USA creating jobs in every state in which wind has a presence. But, with such fast growth comes numerous issues faced at every level. From our perspective it’s all about safety, with the great work being done by the GWO we know the industry is well regulated and long may this continue. If you are attending the conference head over to booth 4 and say hi, we’d love to talk you through our full range of GWO training courses.

Former Iowa State Senator Jeff Danielson joins the AWEA

Great news to see that former Iowa State Senator Jeff Danielson has joined the AWEA. His remit will to lead policy advocacy efforts across Midwestern and Plains states. As a former navy serviceman, firefighter and State Senator Jeff served his community with distinction and we can’t wait to see the results of his efforts for wind energy. Mr Danielson said “I’ll be working for a wonderful organization dedicated to growing a homegrown American energy source that strengthens the economy, improves the health of communities and makes us safer as a nation.” We have a special connection to Iowa as it’s home to one of our training facilities, administered by the Iowa Lakes Community College.

We think the AWEA does an amazing job advocating for the wind energy sector and this kind of high profile appointment shows what a serious player they are in one of the USA’s fastest growing sectors.

Offshore Wind is the Way Forward in California

A new report “The California Offshore Wind Project: A Vision for Industry Growth,” commissioned by the American Jobs Project in partnership with the Schatz Energy Research Center at Humboldt State University, Pacific Ocean Energy Trust, and BVG Associates. States that offshore wind could spur a new wave of innovation in the State. Given that California s home to some pretty big innovators it’s a bold claim but something that we whole heartedly welcome at STL USA. According to the report the potential of offshore wind would be enough to produce as much as 1,5 times the amount of electricity needed by the state. It’s also estimated the industry and supply chain could support as many as 17,500 jobs by 2045. One of the key aspects of wind energy is that it’s more cost effective to build turbines in the country they will be used in so the affects would be felt across the supply chain.

Stay tuned for our February newsletter and more insights from the world of wind energy.

January wind energy news round up

We like to keep our finger on the pulse of the wind energy sector so here’s our wind energy news round up with all the top stories from January.

The start of the year has been predictably busy so save some time and read through our wind energy news round up of all the top stories.

AWEA San Diego coming up.

We can’t wait for the AWEA Wind Project O&M and Safety conference at the end of September in San Diego. We’v got a detailed preview in our blog, here. STL will be exhibting, come and see us to talk all thing GWO training.

Budweiser embraces wind energy.

This Bud’s For a Better Tomorrow. (PRNewsfoto/Budweiser)

In Budweiser’s latest Super Bowl ad the brewer highlights its long term commitment to renewable energy. This kind of coverage is amazing for wind energy beaming directly into the homes of millions of consumers and leading the way in responsible energy sourcing.

In 2018 Budweiser announced its commitment to be brewed with 100% renewable electricity from wind power. To celebrate this they are showcasing the commitment on the biggest stage of all. Once again corporate America leads the way in committing to renewables.

Tufts launches M.S in offshore wind engineering.

The first of it’s kind in the USA the masters degrees is testament to the growth in the wind energy sector.

“If wind power is to continue its growth as an energy source, we need not only research and development, but also programs that educate a generation of engineers who are devoted to sustainable development and energy independence,”

comments Laurie Baise, professor and chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, via TuftsNow.

“This is a first step toward making climate and energy sustainability a priority.”

Interested in the course? Find out more here.

Canada joins international renewable energy agency.

Canada has officially become a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Joining 159 other countries countries in an organisation devoted to providing clean, sustainable energy for the world’s growing population. The announcement was made earlier this month by Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s minister of natural resources.

IRENA helps countries to transition to renewable energy, providing a platform for international cooperation and learning on all things renewable energy.

Washington D.C mayor commits to 100% renewable by 2032.

With the mayor’s signing of the Clean Energy D.C. Omnibus Act of 2018, Washington, D.C., has officially committed to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2032. Joining states such as California and Hawaii as well as 100+ municipalities Washington D.C is the latest to formally commit to a 100% renewable energy goal. This is great news and shows how committed the US is to a sustainable energy future.

That’s it for our news round up we hope you’ve enjoyed the stories. All that’s left to say is see you in San Diego for the AWEA conference!

Preview San Diego AWEA Wind Project O&M and Safety Conference

This February sees the luminaries of wind energy come together in San Diego for the AWEA Wind Project O&M and Safety Conference.

We’re excited to be exhibiting at the AWEA Wind Project O&M and Safety Conference taking place on February the 27-28th in the beautiful city of San Diego. The conference is an opportunity for the industry to come together and discuss the unique challenges it faces, meet our friends and colleagues from across the sector and find solutions to the problems we face in areas such as health and safety and workforce training and development.

STL will be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Eon and Vestas as well as myriad other suppliers who are all playing an important role in the amazing sector growth we are seeing across the USA. As the wind energy industry continues to expand, so does the need for an evolving approach to operating the nation’s growing number of wind projects. Luckily it’s a sector high on experience, our own global experience included, and a great opportunity to showcase how we can assist the increasing demands that face all of us if we are to continue the meteoric rise of wind energy.

For STL it’s a chance to highlight our range of GWO training courses that we provide at locations throughout the country. If you are planning on attending come and see us, we can take you through the full range of courses, refreshers and accreditations to ensure you and your team in the field are safe and compliant.

It will also be a chance to meet some of our team including Ben Williams our Technical Director. It’s Ben’s role to head up our training ensuring we maintain both cutting edge facilities and course content. As well as our full range of GWO land based courses we will also be highlighting some of our offshore specialist courses such as survival at sea.

Equipment will also feature, having just launched a new range of rescue kits we have something to cover every emergency no matter how big or small.

One thing you can be assured of is a warm welcome at the STL booth, we know we’ll get one in sunny San Idgeo.

See you there!

If you would like to make an appointment to discuss our training services and safety equipment for the wind energy sector fill in our contact form and we will reserve a mutually convenient time to meet.

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