Wind turbine service technicians, also known as windtechs, install, maintain, and repair wind turbines.
Duties
Wind turbine service technicians typically do the following:
Inspect the exterior and physical integrity of towers
Climb towers to inspect or repair wind turbine equipment
Perform routine maintenance on wind turbines
Test and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components and systems
Replace worn or malfunctioning components
Collect turbine data for testing or research and analysis
Service underground transmission systems, wind field substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systems
Wind turbines are large mechanical devices that convert wind energy into electricity. They are located in areas where there is consistent wind. The turbine is made up of three major components: a tower, three blades, and a nacelle, which is composed of an outer case, generator, gearbox, and brakes. Wind turbine service technicians install and repair the various components of these structures.
Although some windtechs are involved in building new wind turbines, most of their work is in maintaining them, particularly the nacelles, which contain the equipment that generates electricity.
Maintenance schedules are largely determined by a turbine's hours in operation, but can also vary by manufacturer. Turbines are monitored electronically from a central office, 24 hours a day. When a problem is detected, windtechs travel to the worksite and make the repairs. Most manufacturers recommend annual maintenance, which includes inspecting components and lubricating parts. For turbines that operate year round, routine maintenance may occur one to three times a year.
Windtechs use safety harnesses and a variety of hand and power tools to do their work. They also use computers to diagnose electrical malfunctions. Most turbine monitoring equipment is located in the nacelle, which can be accessed both on- and offsite.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2024 Edition
Interesting Fact
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