Expectations differ from one individual to the next. The decisions we make throughout our lives define us the most. If you have a strong interest in a particular field, you should consider pursuing a career as a professional in that field. If you have a passion for wind turbines, you can achieve success by pursuing your professional objectives in that sector. Whatever subject you are interested in, you must be aware of the most efficient methods for becoming a professional in that industry. And the main focus of this article is on how to become a wind turbine technician. If you have an interest in this field, and you really want to know how to be a wind turbine technician, you can take this read.
Fundamentals and Applications of Renewable Energy 1st Edition
The authors of this book are Mehmet Kanoglu, Yunus Cangel, and John Cimbala. For anyone who wants to know how to be a wind turbine technician, this book would surely provide a good insight into the field of renewable energy. You can get a broad understanding of this and see the bigger picture if you go through this book. “This book is a must-read for anybody interested in learning, or teaching fundamentals of renewable energy.” This is how a reader of this book has reviewed it on Amazon. Further, this has received pretty good ratings as well.
What do Wind Turbine Technicians do?
Before we discuss how to be a wind turbine technician, it would be pretty important to know what wind turbine technicians do, in the main. Let us tell you.
Wind turbine service technicians, or wind techs, are responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of wind turbines if we basically tell you what they do. Firstly, it is the inspection part. And of course, you would have to climb to the turbine towers. It does not matter whether it is for a repair and maintenance duty or routine inspection. Mainly, there would be electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components for wind turbine technicians to test. If there are any components that need replacements, it is mainly up to the wind turbine technicians to do that. All the same, underground transmission lines, wind field substations, and fiber optic sensing and control systems all need the frequent maintenance of wind turbine technicians. Further, wind turbine technicians also might be into certain research activities. Then, they would have to contribute to them as well.
We define the maintenance schedules primarily by the number of hours a turbine has been in use, although they can also differ by manufacturer. Turbines are monitored electronically 24 hours a day from a central center. When an issue is discovered, wind turbine technicians are dispatched to the job site to perform repairs. Inspecting components and lubricating parts are common maintenance tasks. Routine maintenance usually happens about one to three times a year for turbines that operate all year.
Maintenance Fundamentals for Wind Technicians (Go Green with Renewable Energy Resources) 1st Edition
The author of this book is Wayne Kilcollins. This book is a complete introduction to the area of wind energy that is ideal for any electrical or mechanical technician. It is practical and easy to grasp. This book offers readers the skills they need to be a successful wind energy technician by covering subjects including designing a preventative maintenance program, determining the performance of a wind turbine system, and monitoring improvement through system data analysis. Working at heights, tower rescue, and offshore projects are all highlighted as safety-related practices to ensure that readers are aware of the risks connected with working in the wind business.
What are the parts of a Wind Turbine?
Mainly, there are three parts of a wind turbine. They are the nacelle, tower, and blades. What are the functions of each of them? Let us look into how wind turbine operators conduct their operations in each part of these.
Nacelle
Wind turbine technicians do a major amount of their job here. Many of the wind turbine’s electronics are under the top cover. Technical components such as the gearbox, brakes, and generator are also in the nacelle. Technicians from wind turbines may climb to the top of the nacelle to inspect or repair it.
Tower
It is the tower that supports the entire construction of a wind turbine, Its composition is mainly of steel and concrete. Turbines with tall towers can gather more energy, resulting in more power.
Blades
On a wind turbine, there are three blades. They start revolving when the wind blows on them, which rotates the rotor. Wind turbine technicians must check these blades on a regular basis by experts as part of their job.
Power from the Wind – 2nd Edition: A Practical Guide to Small Scale Energy Production Paperback – May 5, 2017
Dan Chiras is the author of this book. This handbook is for people and businesses interested in building small wind energy systems. This practical guide presents an accurate and unbiased view of all aspects of modest wind energy systems. Although this does not discuss how to engage in large-scale energy production, this obviously is great for someone who can get to know about this field.
How much do Wind Turbine Technicians make per year?
This is an interesting question. You would be pretty much anxious to know about this as well. According to the statistics of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2020, the median annual pay for wind turbine technicians was $56,230. The highest 10 percent of wind turbine technicians have earned more than $83580. Meanwhile, the lowest 10 percent have earned less than $40490.
Homebrew Wind Power: A Hands-On Guide to Harnessing the Wind Paperback – June 2, 2013
The authors of this book are Dan Bartmann, Dan Fink, and Mick Sagrillo. Wind energy can be difficult to harness, but the authors of this revolutionary book provide detailed explanations. This book is full of useful information for anyone contemplating wind energy. Hence, we recommend this book to you. We think that you must go through this book and broaden your knowledge.
How to be a Wind Turbine Technician?
Alright. Now, we are going to tell you how to be a wind turbine technician step-by-step. Let us take a look first.
- Attend a technical school or community college
- Get on-job-training
- Complete an apprenticeship program
- Earn certifications
- Grow as a professional
Now that you know how to be a wind turbine technician in a step-by-step approach, we can comprehensively discuss these steps. Let us move forward with the article.
1. Attend a technical school or community college
To start off your career, you must attend a technical school or community college. As a matter of fact, even before that, you must graduate from high school. A high school diploma is actually of immense importance to kickstart any career that you are willing to indulge in. And even for this career, it is indeed essential that you have a high school diploma. You will have a foundational understanding of the majority of academic topics if you graduate from high school. Graduation from high school, in particular, indicates that you have a fundamental understanding of arithmetic, science, reading, and writing. You do not have to be an expert in any of these, though. All that is necessary is a fundamental knowledge of them.
In a technical school, you should most likely complete certificates in wind energy technology. Students can operate on onshore wind turbines as part of their education at several technical institutions. Nevertheless, there are some other areas of concentration that represent the diverse skill sets needed to execute the job, in addition to lab courses. Safety, rescue, and first aid are particularly some of them. Also, you will get knowledge of electrical maintenance, hydraulic maintenance, mechanical systems, and braking systems. Further, you need to learn about programmable logic control systems and computers as well. Basically, these are areas that you would learn in your technical schools and community colleges.
2. Get on-the-job training
Next, you should complete on-the-job training. You can choose the best place for your year-long training and work. Employees may learn more about the sorts of wind turbines they wish to repair and install during this training time. They can also get a better grasp of normal activities and responsibilities via direct experience during training.
For the first several months of training, the experts will frequently observe the trainees. After completing your training, you will be able to build, repair, and maintain wind turbines on your own with minimum supervision. This is the whole point of the on-the-job training that you receive. And we think that you would be able to go forth in your career success with the training that you receive here.
3. Complete an apprenticeship program
Although apprenticeships are not compulsory, some wind turbine technicians opt to do so in order to learn more about the job’s obligations and tasks. An apprenticeship may teach you a range of mechanical repair techniques that are utilized on different types of wind turbines. An apprenticeship may also be a wonderful method to show off your advanced knowledge and expertise on your resume.
Generally, to enter an apprenticeship program of this sort, there are some conditions that you need to satisfy. Firstly, you need to be above 18 years old. And you must have a high school diploma and you must also pass a physical test. If you can satisfy all these requirements, then you are eligible for an apprenticeship program.
4. Earn certifications
Afterward, you can consider earning certifications. Professional certification, while not required, can indicate a basic degree of knowledge and ability. Some businesses prefer to recruit employees who have previously received certification in areas like workplace electrical safety, tower climbing, and self-rescue. Many organizations provide certificates in each of these areas, and these certifications are included in some certificate and degree programs.
Sometimes, you have the necessary skill. And you have the right knowledge up to a sufficient level. But the problem is you do not have the ability to prove it. In order to prove to someone else that you have the right level of competence in a particular field, you need to have certifications. And that is why earning certifications is that important. All the same, you would be able to improve your earning potential by gaining these types of certifications. It would be pretty advantageous for you by almost all means.
5. Grow as a professional
Alright. Now, we have already told you how to be a wind turbine technician. And now, you know how to be a wind turbine technician. But your journey does not end here at all. You must advance as a professional. Possibly, you must go forth. It is only if you go forth that you would be able to achieve success in your career.
Of course, there are plenty of career pathways that are there for you to follow to move forward in your career. Once you become a wind turbine technician, all those career pathways get opened to you. But for all that, you need to get proper experience in your career as a wind turbine technician. With that experience, you can easily shift to great heights. And of course, you can even step up towards managerial positions with proper experience.
Qualities that you need to be a Wind Turbine Technician
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights a set of important qualities that you need to have if you wish to be a wind turbine technician. Here are those qualities.
- Communication skills
- Detail-oriented
- Mechanical skills
- Physical stamina
- Physical strength
- Troubleshooting skills
Just telling you what these skills are, would not be sufficient. We are ready to explain them to you in the next part of this article. Keep reading!
1. Communication skills
Wind turbine technicians, without a doubt, have good communication skills. You must be able to get what others are saying properly. You must also be able to deliver the information you require to others in a professional and effective manner.
Mainly, you need to be effectively communicative here. When you are on the tops of a wind turbine, what you and your coworkers tell one another would not be perfectly audible. Therefore, there is a need to concentrate pretty well on what other people are saying. If you do this, you and all your coworkers would be able to do things right.
And in fact, your communication should be straightforward and clear. Do not ever become vague in communication. It is a professional duty that you are carrying on. You should do it professionally. Hence, if you feel that you are not effectively communicative, you must enhance your communication skills to adapt to your professional career.
Communication Skills: A Practical Guide to Improving Your Social Intelligence, Presentation, Persuasion and Public Speaking (Positive Psychology Coaching Series Book) (Volume 9) Paperback – July 11, 2015
As previously said, if you feel your communication skills might be improved and you are dissatisfied with what you have today, it is essential to improve them. This book is by Ian Tuhovsky. This book is edited by Wendell Wadsworth. In almost every circumstance, effective communication is unquestionably the key to success. Positive outcomes are possible only with effective communication. Because this book can enlighten you big time on this aspect, we thought of recommending this to you.
2. Detail-oriented
Of course, wind turbine technicians must pay special attention to every detail. In fact, while on the job, a wind turbine technician must pay close attention to even the smallest details. Sometimes the most obvious and basic things are the most important. It is possible that failing to consider them will have a detrimental influence on the project’s final conclusion. Because of that, wind turbine technicians must be exceedingly meticulous. You will almost never be able to reverse a mistake after you have made it.
All of the services provided by wind turbine technicians must be documented. Precision measurements, a tight order of activities, and many safety measures are all required for turbine maintenance. So, you need to be precise all the time. Giving proper attention to detail is immensely important. Therefore, being detail-oriented as a wind turbine technician is pretty important.
Improve Attention To Detail: A straightforward system to develop attention to detail in yourself, employees, and across an organization. Paperback – April 17, 2019
As you undoubtedly already know, paying attention to even the slightest detail is critical in a profession like this. We are certain that you will find this book useful. This book is written by Chris Denny. In this book, you would find tips on how to improve your attention to detail. Therefore, we strongly advise you to read this book. The readers of this book were pleased with what it had to offer. Positive reviews for this book have also been received on Amazon. As a result, this is unquestionably a valuable read for you.
3. Mechanical skills
This is a mechanical and technical type of job. Hence, there is no doubt at all that you need to have sound mechanical skills. Wind turbine technicians must be familiar with and capable of maintaining and repairing a turbine’s mechanical, hydraulic, braking, and electrical systems. It is what this profession is all about. Hence, if you fail in these, you are a failure in your profession. How can you let your professional life be a failure? If you let your professional life be a failure, the chances are high that even your life can be a failure.
So, it is a must that you have to master the mechanical skills that you need to have in this industry. That is basically what you must primarily focus on. Without mechanical skills, there is absolutely no wind turbine technician. You need to keep this in mind. So, master the profession perfectly, especially the mechanical skills.
Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design (Mcgraw-hill Series in Mechanical Engineering) 9th Edition
The authors of this book are Richard Budynas and Keith Nisbett. This book is aimed at students who are just getting started in the field of mechanical engineering design. The text will naturally lead students to knowledge with both the fundamentals of design decisions and the standards of industrial components. It blends a traditional focus on fundamentals with a current emphasis on design and innovative applications. Since wind turbine technicians need mechanical skills, we think that this would be a useful read to you.
4. Physical stamina
Okay, let us start with a definition of physical stamina. Stamina is the ability to maintain a high level of physical or mental activity for a long time. When working as a wind turbine technician, you must be physically active at all times. Consequently, physical stamina is undoubtedly crucial.
Wind turbine technicians must be able to climb to the tops of turbines with tools and equipment, which they frequently do. Some tower ladders can reach heights of 260 feet or more. So, there is no doubt that physical stamina is one of the most crucial factors of all that wind turbine technicians should have. It is no secret that this is a physically demanding career. Hence, keeping up the level of expectation of this career is something that matters pretty much.
30 Minutes to Fitness: Strength & Stamina with Kelly Coffey-Meyer
This DVD by Kelly Coffey-Meyer would be an excellent resource for you to use if you want to improve your physical stamina. This would not need much effort on your side. It will only take you 30 minutes to complete it. As a result, if you refer to this, you will learn some strategies for increasing your physical stamina and strength. That is why we recommend that you do so. It is unquestionably worthwhile for you to give it a try. If you want to be a wind turbine technician, but lack physical stamina, how can you survive in the industry?
5. Physical strength
In line with physical stamina, wind turbine technicians must also be physically strong. If you do not have physical strength, your talents and skills in this field would barely be of any use. You would have to lift different heavy things like tools and parts of turbines in this career. Mainly, being fit and sturdy is quite vital. But, if you want to be a wind turbine technician, how can you get around this problem? Strength training is one of the most effective approaches to tackle this problem. Strength training can surely aid in the development of physical strength. This is really advantageous to your job.
Science and Practice of Strength Training Hardcover – April 9, 2020
The authors of this book are Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky, William J. Kraemer, and Andrew C. Fry. Wind turbine technicians, as you may know, demand physical strength and fitness. This means you must be physically capable of carrying out your responsibilities. If you want to enhance your physical strength, this is a great book to read. It has also gotten excellent reviews and ratings on Amazon as well.
6. Troubleshooting skills
Wind turbine technicians are responsible for diagnosing and repairing faults. When turbine malfunctions, specialists must figure out why and make the necessary repairs. Hence, there is no doubt that you should have excellent troubleshooting skills. There would be no use in having you as an employee if you do not know how to tackle the issues that you encounter. You must be able to fix those issues. So, it is your troubleshooting skills that matter big time here.
Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything Paperback – March 6, 2019
In today’s environment, complex problem solving is at the top of the list of necessary talents for advancement. However, the way we teach problem-solving in our schools, colleges, corporations, and organizations falls short. This book teaches you a seven-step systematic approach to creative problem solving developed in top consulting firms that can be applied to any field or industry, transforming you into a highly sought-after bulletproof problem solver who can take on challenges that others avoid.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this article was helpful to learn how to be a wind turbine mechanic. All the same, if you would like to know about the pathways to becoming certain mechanical professionals, you can read about the pathways to become a bicycle mechanic, marine mechanic, and so on. We wish you the best of luck in your career.
