Volunteering at WindAid

WindAid is a not-for-profit focused on building wind turbines with developing communities in Peru to provide them with clean and renewable energy solutions while addressing the effects of climate change. They have some fantastic opportunities - especially a new project just launched for January 2017 - to offer the students at Australian National University.

Volunteering at WindAid

At WindAid Institute our mission is to provide a unique educational experience empowering people to create a sustainable world. We are based in Trujillo, Peru and build both 2.5 kW and 500 Watt wind turbines for small communities and families that are part of some 7 million people in Peru living with no access to grid electricity. Volunteering for WindAid Institute offers an opportunity to explore Peru and to understand firsthand the necessity of renewable energies. It is also an opportunity to learn in depth the design, construction, and installation of a wind turbine and see its direct impact on a rural community, a family or a school.

Volunteers get hands-on experience in all steps of building and installing a wind turbine as part of a team. They will learn and gain expertise in such materials and processes as: carbon fiber, fiberglass, resin composites, steel structures and welding, electrical systems, aerodynamics, and much more; all the while getting to experience the life and cultures of Peru. There are no pre-requisite skills, we seek out passionate, enthusiastic individuals hungry to learn and create a positive change in the lives of others.

WindAid has had volunteers from 39 different countries with diverse educational backgrounds and interests who have gone on to do great things - many inspired to focus on sustainability or renewable energy - and become part of a global network of young and experienced professionals in these important fields. On our website, www.WindAid.org, you will find volunteer testimonials, as well as more info on the diverse wind energy projects we have completed and the opportunities we offer. You can also check out Facebook to learn more about the day-to-day life as a WindAid volunteer.

Dates

We have year-round opportunities and rolling application deadlines, with projects limited to eight volunteers. We have added two more groups in 2016 because of such strong demand, and released the dates for 2017 earlier than ever before. The new dates are filling up, so apply now!

2016

2017

   

27 June- 22 July

2 January - 27 January

1 August - 26 August

6 February - 3 March

5 September - 30 September

13 March - 7 April

10 October - 4 November

17 April - 12 May

14 November - 9 December

22 May - 16 June



New Opportunity - January 2017 - Building a Wind Workshop!

Our goals at WindAid have always been to educate volunteers and community members alike on wind power, and ensure that the turbines are as efficient and effective for the end users as possible. These past years as we installed more and more turbines (there are now over 50), we realized that having workshops close to the turbines would move us substantially closer to these goals, and especially help give energy independence to the communities. In the workshops we look forward to doing quicker maintenance, building more turbines and better training local technicians and community members so that communities can self-sustain this important power source.

The first workshop is going to be in the fishing village of Playa Blanca, which will be fully operational by the end of January 2017. For the volunteers coming in January of 2017 we will be offering the unique opportunity to not just build and install a wind generator with the community of Playa Blanca, but also to finalize and inaugurate this Community Wind Workshop! The application process is a little different than normal, and we are offering the opportunity on a first-come first-served basis on Kickstarter, the platform we are using to raise funds for the project. This will also be the lowest cost volunteering opportunity we have ever offered!

The closing date for the Kickstarter campaign, and the opportunity to partake in this amazing experience is Monday July 4th. If you are considering joining, please sign up before spots disappear!
 

Application closing date

30 June 2017
Applications open for this opportunity: 
29 Jun 2016
Study level: 
Postgraduate
Undergraduate
Student opportunity type: 

Updated:  10 August 2021/Responsible Officer:  Dean, CECS/Page Contact:  CECS Marketing