Virginia Student Experts Display Custom Wind Turbine Designs in Alstom-sponsored Competition

Teams of young Virginia technology enthusiasts recently gathered in Richmond, Virginia for the states KidWind Challenge 2012, a first-of-its-kind event intended to get middle and high school students excited about clean energy. Alstoms North American wind business was a proud sponsor of this event, and several members of the companys research and development team served as judges for the competition.

Teams who participated in the challenge combined engineering and science skills to develop and build small-scale wind turbine designs. Top prize was awarded to the middle and high-school teams whose turbines generated the most electricity during a wind tunnel test [Results of the competition].

 It was exciting to see so many of Virginias future engineers applying their creativity and getting energized about wind power, said Albert Fisas, Director of Innovation for Alstoms North American Wind Business. The KidWind Challenge is a great way to expose young people to engineering, design and mathematics at an early age so they can deliver future innovations that will make Americas tomorrow cleaner, and greener.

In addition to building students excitement for alternative energy topics, KidWind emphasizes the importance of education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by connecting it to real world applications.

Alstom views education in these fields as vital to Americas sustainable future and was proud to support this innovative program in Virginia, a state where Alstom has a long history and strong local ties.

Alstom currently employs 500 people in Virginia. The company operates a facility south of Richmond that provides upgrade, repair and retrofit services for steam turbines, gas turbines and power plant generators. Richmond also is the headquarters of Alstoms North American wind business, and home to Alstom project management, customer support, sales and power automation and controls offices.