Any mechanical energy that is produced by wind or another naturally occurring airflow is referred to as “wind energy.” Every type of energy source has benefits and drawbacks, and wind energy is no different. The top benefits and drawbacks of using wind turbines to produce electricity are discussed in this article.
- 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.
Pros of being a wind turbine technician
Here are a few advantages of working as a wind turbine technician:
Practical hands-on work
After the frequently unpaid learning period, the opportunity to engage in paid practical work may be exciting. This might be a good career choice if you enjoy manual labor and working with your hands. Wind turbine technicians have many hands-on activities at work, including climbing turbine towers, repairing mechanical parts, and installing machinery parts.
Collaborative work environment
Most of the time, wind turbine technicians work together with other experts on the technical team to complete tasks. This arrangement may result in a beneficial division of labor and fruitful collaboration. Having support on-the-job can also be reassuring.
Outdoor environment
A wind turbine technician’s position is typically outdoors. Working in nature and experiencing work outside of a typical office setting are both opportunities you have at work. Since you don’t have to sit at a desk or stand still for very long, it enables you to benefit from the advantages of staying active.
Minimal academic qualification requirements
All you need is a high school diploma (or GED) and a technical school certificate or associates degree to work as a wide turbine technician. To become one, you can attend a technical school or receive on-the-job training. You can begin your career earlier thanks to these requirements than with many other career options.
Contributing to ecological health
Wind turbines are one of the safest sources of energy. Wind energy is popular because it is clean, renewable, and helps to create a safer environment. You actively contribute to the effort to make the world a cleaner, safer place by working as a wind turbine technician.
Increasing demand
Maintain physical fitness while at work
During routine inspections and maintenance procedures, wind turbine technicians typically move from one location to another. If physical fitness is something you’re particularly interested in, your job might allow you to stay active and maintain your physical fitness. The physical demands of the work may help you develop physical stamina and muscle.
What does a wind turbine technician do?
Installing, inspecting, repairing, replacing, and maintaining the wind turbine are among a wind turbine technician’s responsibilities. The wind turbine technician also takes inventory of turbine parts, reports turbine data, and, in a few instances, participates in the construction of turbines.
A significant portion of the American workforce is made up of wind turbine technicians, whose work is crucial to the advancement of clean, renewable energy sources in the energy sector. Depending on the employer, a wind turbine technician’s daily tasks can vary, but the following are typical tasks:
Installing turbines
Turbine installation is also the responsibility of the wind turbine technician. The installation site is surveyed, the area is cleared, trenches are dug, and the tower and turbine are then erected.
Additionally, the wind technician sets up the turbine to provide electricity to the grid. They test after installation is complete to see if any adjustments need to be made.
Inspecting turbines
The wind turbine is powered by a system of interconnected parts, and any malfunction in a mechanical or electrical component could have an impact on the entire device. To prevent this, the wind turbine technician monitors the turbines continuously and electronically from a central station, looking for early signs of malfunctions.
Additionally, they physically inspect the wind turbine’s internal and external components on a regular basis, report any issues, and schedule repairs. The converter systems, variable pitch systems, and variable speed control systems are some of the wind turbine components that can be damaged.
Repairing and replacing of turbine parts
Repairs are made to mechanical and damaged parts of wind turbines, wind field substations, transmission systems, and fiber optic sensing and control systems by wind turbine technicians. Before they can repair some things, they may need to remove and replace damaged components, like the wind-speed and direction-measuring equipment.
The frequency of maintenance depends on the employer. Some employers might insist on the wind technician performing thorough maintenance on the turbines once a year, while others might ask them to do it up to three times a year.
Documenting and collecting turbine data
A wind turbine technician records the findings from their daily work with the turbines. Additionally, they produce concise reports of the tasks related to testing, maintenance, and inspection.
A wind technician’s ability to gather pertinent information and make it available for analysis and research is one of their most important responsibilities. Data collection is essential for enhancing the performance of wind turbines, so this is required. For instance, information about wind speed obtained from an anemometer aids in calculating the power output of the turbines.
Taking a turbine parts inventory
The wind turbine technician’s employers might assign him or her responsibility for managing several wind turbines and might ask him or her to order the parts for a repair. Additionally, an employer might mandate that they keep a record of the machine parts that are in their charge. 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 instance, the position might call for you to ascend to very high platforms or engage in high voltage operations. It’s crucial to always remember to put on safety equipment while working, get enough rest, and keep their minds sharp 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 technician typically works at least 40 hours per week. The distance from the site to your home, among other things, affects how long you will be away from home.
Some wind technicians find it necessary to spend the night on the job sites, which occasionally may be in another city. In situations like this, wind technicians might only be able to stay at home on the weekends, but it varies. If necessary, you can discuss the most practical schedule with your employer.
Relocation
It’s best to live as close to your place of employment as possible, but your wind tech job may require you to relocate from your city or town. The potential for a transfer from one city to another as a wind turbine technician is another reason you might relocate. If you don’t want to move to a different city, you can talk to your employer about other options, like flexible travel arrangements.
Become a Wind Turbine Tech in 2021? Salary, Jobs, Education
FAQ
Is being a wind turbine technician worth it?
According to May 2019 BLS data, the median annual salary for a Wind Turbine Technician is $52,910, and those with extensive experience can earn up to $80,150. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wind turbine technicians are also in demand.
Is being a wind turbine technician stressful?
Have you considered working as a wind turbine technician or a cartographer, both of which have below-average stress levels? S. News and World Report. Balance demands of the workplace with your personal life.
Is wind turbine technician a hard job?
It’s physically taxing to work as a technician, especially for people over 50. It is challenging due to the long hours, frequent turbine climbs, intense heat in the summer, and bitter cold in the winter.
Are wind turbine techs happy?
It turns out that technicians who service wind turbines rate their career happiness at 3. 2 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 47% of careers
