NEW BEDFORD – Students at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School will be using a newly-installed wind turbine … and solar panels … to learn about “green energy”.

Over the summer, crews installed a 30-foot wind turbine behind the school, next to the Automotive Technology program. The turbine, which is capable of producing 3,000 watts of electricity, will help provide power to the school’s Environmental Science and Technology program.



Picture Caption: GNB Voc-Tech students Kyle Richard, Emilymari Rodriguez, and Nathan Arruda and Voc-Tech graduate Chris Dudley prepare a 30-foot wind turbine for installation at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech.

“It looks like a piece of modern art,” said James Igoe, Facilities Manager at GNB Voc-Tech. “It’s not your regular wind turbine.”

The turbine is unique. The only other one like it is located in Texas.

The wind turbine will work in conjunction with a 22-panel photovoltaic system, which will be located on the side of the school.

“The main point,” says Mr. Igoe, “is not to generate power, but to provide an education for the students. It’s a learning tool.”

The school plans to create a kiosk in its lobby to show weather conditions, the amount of power generated by the wind turbine and solar panels, and the amount of fossil fuel (i.e., oil) saved by the use of wind and solar.

“This is an incredible educational opportunity for students,” says Mr. Igoe. He noted that students or graduates from the school’s Electrical Technology, Environmental Science & Technology, Steam Engineering, and Metal Fabrication and Joining programs helped with installation of the wind turbines.

The students included Electrical Technology graduate Chris Dudley, Environmental Science and Technology students Emilymari Rodriguez and Nathan Arruda, Steam Engineering student Kyle Richard, and Metal Fabrication and Joining student Christopher Young.

Metal Fabrication and Joining teacher Paul Mendez helped the students prepare the wind turbine for installation.

Installation of the wind turbine and solar panels is part of a multi-year project to create a state-of-the-art energy management system at the school. Previously, the school installed a new co-generation system, upgraded its boilers, and improved the efficiency of its lighting and heating systems.

The project is being undertaken in conjunction with Siemens, a worldwide leader in electronics and electrical engineering.

Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech

Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School is a public, four-year vocational technical high school for young men and women. With an enrollment of more than 2,000 students. GNB Voc-Tech is one of the largest vocational-technical high schools in Massachusetts. It serves the communities of New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

The school's roots date back more than a century, to the creation of the New Bedford Independent Industrial School in 1908. When it opened in 1909, the school served only 59 students, all from New Bedford. Over the years, the school built a reputation for excellence by providing quality vocational and academic programs. In 1918, its name was changed to New Bedford Vocational School. In 1946, it became New Bedford Vocational High School. In 1955, it became the first vocational high school to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

In 1972, voters in New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven approved the establishment of a regional vocational school district and construction of a regional vocational school. In 1977, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School was opened.

Today, the school sits on a beautiful 48-acre campus in the North End of New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Its website may be found at http://www.gnbvt.edu/.

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