VinciVR (Vinci), in partnership with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE), has certified 12 union workers from Massachusetts hailing from IBEW, MillWrights, Iron Workers, and Piledrivers with Virtual Reality (VR) at the New Bedford Commerce Terminal.
These courses are part of the Global Wind Organization (GWO) curriculum; GWO is an international certification body and their certified training is required for wind energy workers.
Vinci developed VR simulations of ports and wind turbines to replace hands-on training elements for critical GWO courses, specifically Basic Technical Training and Slinger Signaller. The software enables users to realistically commission a wind turbine and direct crane lifts of heavy loads like turbine blades. The simulations made courses deployable to job sites like New Bedford while cutting substantial costs and enabling realistic training. Earlier this year, these VR tools were audited and certified for use by GWO.
These 12 workers represent the first in the world to receive these certifications with VR.
"Offshore Wind is the future for US energy needs. Massachusetts has the honor of being the first in the US to develop commercial scale offshore wind, so it is only fitting that the first workers to be certified with this revolutionary VR training happens here" said Eagle Wu, CEO of Vinci. "Our VR tools can ensure that we meet workforce needs and ensure workers in Offshore Wind are effective and safe on the job."
"Offshore Wind is set to play a big part in our future. The hand-in-hand cooperation between Vinci and SGRE has set a great foundation to incorporate VR to speed the growth and increase the quality of the technicians for the offshore wind platforms. We look forward to watching this segment flourish and grow" says Ysabel Ledezma, Technical Training Manager, SGRE.
These simulations were developed with funding from MassCEC. In addition to training for Wind Technicians, Vinci's VR offerings includes simulations to educate K-12 and college students on the offshore wind industry and simulations of mariner navigation through commercial scale farms.
Find out more about these simulations at www.vinci-vr.com.
