Wind energy refers to any form of mechanical energy that is generated from wind or some other naturally occurring airflow. There are advantages and disadvantages to any type of energy source, and wind energy is no different. In this article, we’ll review some of the top pros and cons of generating electricity from wind turbines.
- Accessibility to almost anyone with proper communication and problem-solving skills who enjoys hands-on work.
- A four-year college degree is not required. …
- Growing demand for wind techs as the world looks to invest in green and renewable energy.
Become a Wind Turbine Tech in 2021? Salary, Jobs, Education
Pros of being a wind turbine technician
Here are a few benefits you can enjoy from being a wind turbine technician:
Practical hands-on work
The experience of paid practical work could be exciting after the usually unpaid learning period. If you enjoy working with your hands and other manual labor, this may be a good career choice. Wind turbine technicians get to climb turbine towers, repair mechanical components and install machine parts, allowing you to have many hands-on activities while at work.
Collaborative work environment
In most cases, wind turbine technicians collaborate with other members of the technical team to get the job done. This arrangement could lead to a healthy division of labor and a productive partnership. Having support on-the-job can also be reassuring.
Outdoor environment
The job of a wind turbine technician is usually an outdoor one. On the job, you get to explore working outside a typical office space and experience nature almost all through the day. It allows you to enjoy the benefits of staying active since you dont have to sit at a desk or remain in one place for extended periods.
Minimal academic qualification requirements
To become a wide turbine technician, all you need is a high school diploma (or GED) and a technical school certificate or associates degree. You can train on the job or enroll in a technical school to become one. These requirements enable you to start your career earlier than many other career options.
Contributing to ecological health
Wind turbines are one of the safest sources of energy. Wind energy is clean, renewable, and a popular way to promote a safer environment. Working as a wind turbine technician means that you have an active role in the campaign to make the world a cleaner and safer place.
Increasing demand
Maintain physical fitness while at work
Wind turbine technicians usually move from place to place during inspections and maintenance routines. If youre particularly interested in physical fitness, the job may give you the opportunity to stay active, helping you stay physically fit. The physical nature of the job may help you build muscles and physical strength.
What does a wind turbine technician do?
A wind turbine technicians duties include installing, inspecting, repairing, replacing and maintaining the wind turbine. The wind turbine tech also collects and reports turbine data, taking inventory of turbine parts and in a few cases, taking part in building turbines.
Wind turbine technicians are an important section of the American workforce; ensuring that clean renewable energy gains more ground in energy generation. The daily task of a wind turbine technician varies depending on the employer, but here are the typical duties:
Installing turbines
The wind turbine technician is also in charge of turbine installation. They conduct a survey of the installation site, clear the site, dig trenches and erect the tower and turbine.
The wind tech also prepares the turbine to supply electricity to the grid. After completing the installation, they conduct tests to determine if there are any adjustments to make.
Inspecting turbines
The wind turbine runs on a system of interconnected parts and the malfunction of any part of the turbine (either electrical or mechanical) can affect the whole. To avoid this, the wind turbine technician detects early signs of malfunctions by monitoring turbines continuously and electronically from a central station.
They also carry out physical routine inspections of the internal and external parts of the wind turbine, report them, and schedule them for repair. Some of the wind turbine parts that are susceptible to damage include the converter systems, variable pitch systems and variable speed control systems.
Repairing and replacing of turbine parts
The wind turbine technician repairs damaged parts and mechanical components of the turbine, wind field substations, transmission systems and fiber optic sensing and control systems. There are situations where they may need to remove and replace damaged parts, such as the instruments that measure the direction and the speed of the wind before they can fix them.
The frequency of maintenance depends on the employer. Some employers may demand yearly comprehensive maintenance of the turbines, while some others may require the wind tech to do this up to three times a year.
Documenting and collecting turbine data
A wind turbine technician documents the observations and results of their daily activities with the turbines. They also create clear reports of inspection, maintenance, repairs and testing tasks.
One of the critical roles of a wind tech is to gather relevant and useful data and turn them over for analysis and research purposes. This is necessary because data collection is crucial to improving wind turbine performance. For example, wind speed data, collected through an anemometer, helps to determine the power output of the turbines.
Taking a turbine parts inventory
Employers may place the wind turbine technician in charge of several wind turbines and may require the tech to order the machine parts for a repair. An employer may also require them to make a record of the machine parts that are under their care. This record helps track expenses and make resource plans.
Cons of being a wind turbine technician
Being a wind turbine technician may have the following drawbacks:
Involves some risks
Wind tech jobs may come with some risks. For example, the job may require you to climb to very high platforms or get involved in high voltage operations. To avoid potential risks, its important to always remember to wear protective gear while working on the job, get enough rest and maintain mental alertness to ensure safety as they go about their jobs.
Long hours away from home
Wind techs spend quite some time away from home. A wind tech generally stays at least 40 hours at work every week. The length of absence from home depends on several factors, including the distance from the site to your home.
Some wind techs find it necessary to sleepover at the job sites, which may sometimes be in a different city. In cases like this, wind techs may only be able to spend the weekends at home, but it varies. You may negotiate the most convenient schedule with your employer if necessary.
Relocation
Your wind tech job may require you to relocate from your city or town as its best to live as close to your place of work as possible. Another reason you could relocate as a wind turbine tech is the possibility of transfer from one city to another. If youre not interested in relocating to another city, you may discuss other options available with your employer, such as flexible travel options.
FAQ
Is being a wind turbine technician worth it?
Is being a wind turbine technician stressful?
Is wind turbine technician a hard job?
Are wind turbine techs happy?
