BOCES Students Test Their Renewable Energy Skills

SCHOHARIE — A pair of Electrical Trades seniors at Capital Region BOCES are testing their newfound skills while building a windmill.

Evan Williams and C.J. Palluti are constructing the mobile windmill at the Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus as one of their final projects in the two-year program.

Both students said the work in teacher Curtis Van Steele’s program is challenging but rewarding.

“Mr. Van Steele has been very hands-off for this work and it allows us to work independently and learn skills that we can use in the industry,” said Palluti.

Williams concurred. 

“It’s challenging to use our minds to make all the right calculations,” he said.

The pair recently worked on wiring and attaching the blade, motor and hub to the tower. The windmill will ultimately be attached to a marine battery and an inverter.

When complete, Van Steele said the windmill will be wheeled outside and tested, with a motion-sensor light attached to assist in providing evidence of its successful operation.

“It’s a fun project, and it allows us to learn new stuff. These are skills that are in demand right now,” Palluti said.

The Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Electrical Trades program teaches students the fundamental skills in electrical theory through classroom instruction and hands-on shop lessons. Through this training, they can become successful residential, commercial and industrial wiring professionals.

Both students are planning to enter the electrical industry upon graduation.

Palluti will attend Hudson Valley Community College in pursuit of a degree in electrical engineering, while Williams will attend SUNY Delhi with plans to enter an electrical union in the future.

For more information on the Electrical Trades program, visit https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/electrical-trades/