- Must pass a pre-employment drug test as well as random, unannounced drug tests on a regular basis.
Is it difficult to work as a wind turbine technician?
The wind business is all around you if you live in Abilene, Texas. I was looking for job in a technical profession as a retired Army officer and student at the FAA Airframe and Power Plant Technician School. I learned about a job opportunity with GE at a career fair and applied for a technician position right after.
I worked as a wind technician for four years, and every day was different. I worked on a troubleshooting team, where I spent my days as a “industrial detective” trying to figure out what was wrong with the turbines. I’d be assigned to a turbine that was having problems, and I’d spend my time trying to figure out why it wasn’t functioning. There was a lot of climbing and a lot of traveling involved. The work was difficult, but it was also extremely fulfilling and delightful. At Panther Creek in West Texas, where we service 305 turbines, I currently oversee a team of 32 technicians.
On a typical day, I arrive at work around 6:30 a.m. and begin planning my day. We decide what tasks must be completed and who will be assigned to which turbines. We have an environment, health, and safety meeting when the team arrives, we plan for the weather, we discuss special projects, and then the crew is sent out to conduct the day’s job.
Borescope checks, gearbox repairs, blade repairs, and pitch battery change outs are just a few of the special projects available on our site. Working as a site manager necessitates extensive communication with customers to ensure that they are informed about everything that is going on on the job site, as well as the status of maintenance and special projects. Managing a team of specialists also necessitates ensuring that the work is finished completely while adhering to all environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Working as a technician is physically taxing, especially for those over the age of 50. It’s difficult to work long hours, climb turbines several times a day, and deal with high heat in the summer and cold in the winter. Then there’s the mental anguish of working in a demanding management role. We talk about being an industrial athlete a lot in this industry, which means you have to take care of your physical health, well-being, and train your body for the job.
The individuals you get to work with are one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. People that work in the wind sector are dedicated, passionate, helpful, and generally enjoyable to be around. I was fortunate enough to have a fantastic colleague with whom I worked for three years as a troubleshooting technician. We worked as a team on the field, addressing difficult difficulties and keeping an eye out for one another in an industry that is inherently risky.
Furthermore, overcoming challenging problems in the field was quite fulfilling. It’s satisfying to work hard to find an issue and then figure out how to address it. And working in the wind sector allows you to solve those puzzles outside, in the countryside, with your hands it’s a fantastic sensation.
How do you keep up with emerging technologies, such as General Electric’s universal gearbox?
Technicians are frequently called in to assist with the commissioning of new GE technology locations. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the new features available in new units. GE also gives technicians with frequent training to introduce new technologies and techniques.
Being a wind technician necessitates a unique personality. You must be physically capable of coping with the strain that climbing the turbine places on your body, as well as mentally capable of overcoming technical hurdles on the apparatus. There is also a great deal of danger. GE has a number of policies in place to keep employees safe. They do their best, but the technicians in the field are the ones who live it every day and must enforce safe work procedures.
What advice would you provide to new wind technicians or those seeking a career in the field?
I’d tell them that it’s a tremendously gratifying and pleasurable career. Give it your best shot if you think it’s right for you. Internship programs, such as those offered by GE, are a terrific way to test the waters and get a taste of what your career or employment would entail.
Despite the fact that the wind industry is evolving, I do not believe it will vanish or be forgotten. Wind power, in my opinion, is here to stay. WPE
Is it worthwhile to work as a wind turbine technician?
Do you want to work in one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States? Do you enjoy a good challenge and don’t mind heights? Consider a career as a wind turbine technician if this describes you. Let’s take a look at what a wind turbine technician performs, where they work, and whether they’re in high demand before we go at what they do.
The technique of generating electricity from the wind, which is a natural occurrence in the earth’s atmosphere, is known as wind energy. When the wind blows by a wind turbine, the blades collect the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it to mechanical energy through rotation. An internal shaft attached to a gearbox located in the nacelle rotates as a result of the revolution. According to the American Wind Energy Association, the gearbox rotates a generator that generates power (AWEA).
The term “wind farm” refers to a large number of wind turbines that are built near together. A wind farm, like a regular power station, distributes its electricity to the grid. Once the wind energy hits the grid, utilities will transfer the electricity to consumers who require power through the power lines.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, wind turbine technicians install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. Technicians who work on wind turbines often do the following tasks:
- Electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components and systems are troubleshooted and tested.
One of the fastest growing occupations in the United States is wind turbine technician. Wind turbine technicians, like many other allied health professions, are expected to rise by 61 percent over the next decade. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for a Wind Turbine Technician is $52,910 (based on May 2019 BLS data), with those with more experience earning up to $80,150. Technicians for wind turbines are also in high demand. One of the fastest growing industries in the United States is clean energy. Although wind energy cannot provide all of the world’s electricity, it is an important part of the total electrical system.
According to the USGS, there are about 57,000 wind turbines in the United States alone, with an additional 3,000 being installed each year. Wind turbine technicians are in high demand due to technological advancements and the need for greener energy. Wind turbine technicians are needed to service the many wind turbines that are being installed across the country. They are built not just on land, but also offshore, similar to oil rigs. Maintenance, monitoring, and repair are required for all wind turbines. This is where you enter the picture.
The number of wind turbines has been increasing across the United States. They can be discovered wherever the air conditioners are working properly and there is plenty of breeze. There are numerous rural wind farms that provide clean electricity to major cities. Texas, Iowa, California, Oklahoma, and Illinois, in descending order, have the most wind turbines. MIAT is an excellent place to learn the ropes as a wind turbine mechanic, with a campus near Houston, Texas.
Technicians for wind turbines mostly work outside and can climb ladders up to 260 feet tall. They put on protective gear and rappel from the nacelle to the blade part that needs to be serviced. Wind turbine specialists may now monitor the performance of wind turbines from afar using a laptop and an Internet connection, thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT).
Most wind turbine technician programs take less than a year to finish. In just seven months, a full-time student at MIAT can become an entry-level wind turbine technician. You will know about wind turbine tools, rigging, welding, AC and DC electrical theory, renewable energy sources, hydraulics, and gears as a graduate of this program. Smaller class sizes and one-on-one attention from industry experts are to be expected. Wind turbine technicians are in high demand, and you want a rewarding profession. It’s a win-win situation.
A career as a wind turbine mechanic may be perfect for you if you can climb high and think quickly on your feet. You’ll spend the majority of your time learning about new technical advancements outside of the office. Is there anything greater than that? After graduating from MIAT’s wind turbine technician program, you can start working in as short as 7 months. Begin a career in a profession that is expanding and will continue to be in demand for decades.
MIAT’s mission is to develop graduates who, as a result of the basic knowledge they obtain at MIAT, are at the top of their initial on-the-job training.
Fill out the form on this page to learn more about Energy Technology career training and to see if MIAT is appropriate for you.
Are the technicians who work on wind turbines content?
Technicians who work on wind turbines gave their pay a 3.8/5 rating. The majority of wind turbine service professionals are satisfied with their pay, with only a handful expressing dissatisfaction with their earnings.
Interpersonal Relationships
- Have a high social interaction level. Throughout the day, they communicate with managers and other technicians.
- Make it a habit to send e-mails on a daily basis. They write letters and memos as well, but they do it less regularly.
Physical Work Conditions
- When working, always put on necessary safety equipment. This could include, among other things, hard hats and safety harnesses.
- On a daily basis, they are exposed to hazardous circumstances, equipment, and scenarios.
- Work both indoors and out, but spend the most of your time outside repairing turbines.
- Depending on the weather and the time of day, you may have to operate in extremely bright or dim illumination.
Work Performance
- When it comes to repairing turbines, precision is required. Errors can endanger other personnel and diminish turbine efficiency.
- Most decisions can be made without consulting a supervisor beforehand. They may have to act swiftly if they are literally on a turbine.
How long does it take to learn how to work on a wind turbine?
Technical schools are where most windtechs learn their trade. Wind turbine technician associate’s degree programs typically last two years and are available at technical schools and community colleges.
Is there a demand for wind turbine technicians?
From 2019 through 2023, the 2243: Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics* occupational category in Alberta is predicted to expand at a slower-than-average rate of 1.4 percent. In addition to job opportunities produced by employee attrition, this occupational category is expected to add 39 new positions per year.
Is wind energy a viable career option?
Wind energy is one of the most rapidly expanding job areas in the United States. In the United States, wind energy output has exceeded coal, and the job sector is expanding. Jobs in the renewable energy sector pay well. Almost all wind farms and turbine operators are GWO members, and demand for our GWO training courses shows that the industry is rapidly expanding. C
What are the requirements for becoming a wind turbine engineer?
To become a wind turbine engineer, you can take a variety of paths. You might enroll in a university program or work as an apprentice.
You should look at these options for becoming a wind turbine engineer to see which one is best for you. Although some of these opportunities demand certain qualifications, many companies are more interested in people who are passionate, eager to learn, and can follow directions.
To work on a construction site, you may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.
University
To become a wind turbine engineer, you’ll need to do a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree course, such as:
2 – 3 A levels (or equivalent) in math and science (undergraduate degree)
Apprenticeship
A degree apprenticeship in power or nuclear engineering could prepare you for a career as a wind turbine engineer.
For a higher or degree apprenticeship, you’ll need 4 to 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent.
Anyone over the age of 16 can apply for an apprenticeship. You’ll be completely hired by your employer as an apprentice, and you’ll be expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be divided between on-the-job training and attending a college or training facility.
Work experience
In order to work in the industry, you must have prior work experience. You can get this by working weekends and holidays for a company or a relative who works as a wind turbine engineer. Work experience stated on your CV will always impress potential employers.
What is the height of a wind turbine?
Industrial wind turbines are significantly larger than those found in a playground or behind a home.
For example, the widely used GE 1.5-megawatt model has 116-foot blades atop a 212-foot tower, for a total height of 328 feet. The blades cover just under an acre of vertical airspace.
On a 262-foot tower, the 1.8-megawatt Vestas V90 from Denmark has 148-foot blades (sweeping more than 1.5 acres) and a total height of 410 feet.
The 2-megawatt Gamesa G87 from Spain, with 143-ft blades (just under 1.5 acres) on a 256-ft tower, totaling 399 feet, is another model that is becoming increasingly popular in the United States.