Sandia National Laboratories and Mesalands Community College have signed a memorandum of understanding (moU) to jointly do research in new wind energy technologies. The MoU stimulates Sandia and the North American Wind Research and Training Center (NAWRTC), which is part of MCC, to share resources and collaborate in exploration of wind turbine operation and maintenance improvements, as well as component reliability and repair methods.

Most of the research will focus around the 1.5 MW wind turbine installed at NAWRTC, which is a new US$ 7 million training facility for wind technicians, as well as performing operations and maintenance research.

Sandia is hoping to remove barriers for wind energy adoption through workforce development, with necessary training for the next generation of a qualified workforce, that will hopefully further develop and support the industry. With the anticipated expansion of wind energy jobs in the coming years, programs like the one at Mesalands, is going to help fill the void for qualified workers.