Wind turbines are huge mechanical devices that change wind energy into electric power. The turbine is created with three major mechanisms: three blades, a tower, and a nacelle, which has an outer case, producer, brakes, generator, and a gearbox. Wind turbine service specialists connect and repair the mechanisms of such structures.
Although a few wind-techs build new wind turbines, much of their work is in maintaining them, especially the nacelles that have the equipment that makes electricity. New specialists might not be entirely trained on the job, but you do not have to graduate from a four-year degree program or get your master’s degree to work in this fast-growing field.
With the right training and knowledge, anyone can maintain their individual wind turbine and be a wind turbine specialist at the same time. But of course, a beginner must still take the advice and the management of a seasoned technician before they can venture off on their own.
Education Required
Most wind-techs learn their trade by going through technical schools. Associate’s degree programs for wind turbine specialists usually take 3 years and are provided at practical community schools and colleges.
Most wind-techs learn their job by joining community colleges or technical schools where they normally complete their certifications in wind energy expertise, although a few of them opt for an associate’s degree.
Training Required
In addition to their assignments, wind-techs normally get more than 12 months of practical training related to the precise wind turbines they will maintain and service.
A part of this training is producer training and an internship with a wind-turbine-examining contractor. Wind-techs get more than one year of practical training, in addition to project work. Part of this might be an internship with a wind turbine servicing technician. To get an apprenticeship program, applicants should be at least 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma.
Licenses and Certifications
Although not compulsory, professional certification can prove a basic level of information and capability. A few employers hire workers who are certified in subjects like tower-climbing, workplace electrical safety, and self-rescue. There are several companies who offer certifications in all such subjects, and a few degree and certification programs contain these certifications.
Mechanical Abilities
If you wish to become a wind turbine technician, it would be a great advantage if you have good mechanical abilities. If you are usually good with your hands and have knowledge in auto mechanics or other fields that require collecting mechanical equipment or manufacturing repairs, you can be well-suited to this field.
Mechanical abilities are not a precondition for a training program or job security, however they are important to gain expertise in the field. At the time of your training program, you might learn how to make a wind turbine from basic parts. This is how you learn all the motorized parts of the turbine and understand how it works. This is the basis of knowledge required to fix the issues with the turbines on the work.
[Also Read: How to be a Freelance Electrical Engineer]
Wind Turbine Technician Salary
Typical wind turbine service specialists work full time and they may also be called on to handle exigencies as well. The average annual wage for wind turbine technicians was $62,230 in May 2019. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $26,320, and the top 10 percent made more than $83,560.
Job Description of Wind Turbine Technicians
Wind turbine service technicians usually do the following:
- Examine the physical and exterior integrity of wind turbine towers
- Climb wind turbine towers to examine or repair wind turbine gear
- Perform daily maintenance on wind turbines
- Troubleshoot and test mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic components
- Replace worn or broken components
- Gather turbine information for testing, investigation, and examination
- Service transmission technology, wind field substations, or fiber optic control and sensing systems.
Wind Turbine Career Opportunities
Currently, wind turbines are being increasingly used for electricity. You can see them stretching into the horizon of huge cities as well as out in the towns and countrysides. They offer the much-needed natural sustainable energy that could help in making the earth an improved and healthy place to live on in the future.
Currently, there are jobs opening up in wind turbine plants all over the nation. These jobs are predicted to increase in the future as the world increasingly relies on sustainable energy. Off-shore wind turbines will also be used a lot in the future, so wind turbine specialists trained to function off-shore will be required.(1)
Conclusion:
Employment of wind turbine service technicians is anticipated to grow by 60 percent over the next few years, much more than the average for all other occupations. Job forecasts projections are excellent. The amount of wind turbines being connected is increasing, which will result in a higher demand for wind turbine technicians.
