Wind power education, workforce development and research

Poised to become New Jersey’s leader in wind power workforce development, Rowan University is preparing the next generation of clean energy employees and researching new technologies to advance the industry’s capabilities. 

With hundreds of workers needed to build and staff the nation’s largest offshore wind farm, Rowan University has partnered with Gloucester County Institute of Technology and Rowan College of South Jersey to develop a comprehensive training program to meet the specific needs of the wind power industry. 

Stacked credentials and workforce development 

Students interested in joining New Jersey’s wind power industry can start as early as high school, stacking certificates and degrees—advancing their careers and moving into supervisory roles, even while working on the job. 

The program can prepare:

• workers trained in basic fabrication and assembly
• turbine technicians with certificates or associate’s degrees
• engineering technologists in electrical or mechanical disciplines
• mechanical, civil, and electrical engineers with specialized wind power certifications
• and more.

Research at Rowan University

Primed to create sustainable solutions for industry, Rowan University research teams have received grants from green energy organizations to study environmental and engineering processes related to wind power.

Rowan researchers are:  

• Developing an underwater electromagnetic device to measure the properties of seabed sediments, without the need to physically collect and test the materials  
• Developing a method for remotely monitoring the structural integrity of the wind turbines using a laser vibrometer
• Developing cold-spray technology to rapidly repair damaged turbines using portable cold-spray units
• Collecting baseline data about the sediment in and around proposed turbine locations, as well as understanding seasonal changes and the impact of storm waves on the seabed.

Partnership with the New Jersey Wind Institute 

Rowan University students interested in research related to offshore wind development can apply for New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s New Jersey Wind Institute Fellowship Program. The program will support 24 graduate and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines across the state.

South Jersey Technology Park 

Designed for flexibility, Rowan University’s West Campus includes the South Jersey Technology Park, a business hub and incubator located just 12 miles from the Paulsboro Marine Terminal, the fabrication site for Ocean Wind’s massive wind towers. 

Available for partnership opportunities, the 600-acre West Campus includes 180 acres set aside for business expansion of research-and-development facilities. 

Contacts

Mei Wei, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research
856-256-4095
weim@rowan.edu 

Robert Bullard
Assistant Vice President for Professional Success
856-256-4456
bullardr@rowan.edu