Energy Engineer
Power Generation
Plant Operator
Emerging Job
Wind turbine service technicians install, maintain, and repair wind
turbines. Wind turbines are large mechanical devices
that convert wind energy into electricity. 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 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.
ANZSCO ID: N/A [June 2022]
Alternative names: Windtech, Wind Tech, Windsmith, Wind Turbine Service Technician, Tower Tech,
Knowledge, skills and attributes
Wind technicians have familiarity with all systems of the wind turbine including structural, mechanical, electrical, controls, communications, electronic components, hydraulic systems, and environmental safety and health systems. The following skills are necessary:
-
Mechanical skills. Wind technicians must understand and be able to maintain, troubleshoot and repair all mechanical, hydraulic, braking, and electrical systems of a turbine.
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Physical stamina. Wind technicians must be able to climb on ladder systems to height of turbine nacelle, often with tools and equipment. Some tower ladders may be 260 feet high or taller. Therefore, wind technicians should be able to work for long periods without tiring easily.
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Physical strength. Wind technicians must lift and climb with heavy equipment and parts and tools. Some weigh in excess of 20Kg
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Troubleshooting skills. Wind technicians must diagnose and repair problems. When a turbine stops generating electricity, technicians must determine the cause and then make the necessary repairs.
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Comfort with heights and confined spaces. Service technicians often must repair turbines that are at least 79m high. In addition, technicians must work in confined spaces in order to access mechanical components of the turbine.
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Documentation. Wind technicians must document and submit reports on the results of testing, inspections, repairs, or problems they find when carrying out inspections and repairs. Their writing must be clear and well organized so that others can understand the reports.
Anatomy of a wind tower/turbine - 1.
Foundation 2. Connection to the grid 3. Access ladder 4. Tower 5.
Nacelle 6. Generator
7. Anemometer 8. Gearbox 9. Rotor blade 10. Rotor hub
(Source:
Fluke)
Duties and Tasks
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Inspect the exterior and physical integrity of wind turbine towers
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Climb wind turbine towers to inspect or repair wind turbine equipment
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Perform routine maintenance on wind turbines
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Test and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components and systems
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Replace worn or malfunctioning components
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Collect turbine data for testing or research and analysis
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Service underground transmission systems, wind field substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systems
Working conditions
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. Typical maintenance includes inspecting components and lubricating parts. For turbines that operate year round, routine maintenance may occur one to three times a year.
Although the majority of windtechs work full time, they may also be
on call to handle emergencies during evenings and weekends.
When a wind turbine is not functioning, technicians must find the
problem and make the necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
Windtechs often travel to rural areas, where many wind farms are
located.
(Source:
Power Engineering)
Wind turbine service technicians generally work outdoors, often at great heights and with a partner. For example, when repairing blades, windtechs rappel—or descend by sliding down a rope—from the nacelle to the section of the blade that needs servicing. To reach the mechanical equipment, workers must climb ladders—sometimes more than 260 feet tall—while wearing a fall protection harness and carrying tools. When maintaining mechanical systems, windtechs work in the confined space of the nacelle.
Wind technicians must work outside, on the top of the nacelle. They
might, for example, have to replace the instruments that measure
wind speed and direction, or work with large cranes for component
repair or replacement. When outside, turbine technicians can be
hundreds of feet in the air and need to have a heightened sense of
safety. They wear fall protection full body harnesses that are
attached to appropriately rated tie off points on the nacelle and
move cautiously while working.
Wind technicians are also responsible for administration of the
site. These technicians may be responsible for anywhere from one
turbine to hundreds of turbines on a large wind farm. They are
responsible for ordering spare parts, and ensuring there is a proper
inventory of parts available for needed repairs, as well as the day
to day turbine operations.
For major service or repairs, additional windtechs and other specialists, such as electricians, may be needed to complete the job quickly.
Tools and technologies
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 onsite and off.
Technicians do a majority of their maintenance work in the nacelle, where the drive train components and sensitive electronics are housed. Nacelles are built very compactly, and wind technicians must be able to work in confined spaces, inside the nacelles, hubs and rotors. Turbine technicians regularly clean and lubricate shafts, bearings, gears, and other machinery. They also use handheld power tools and electrical measuring instruments to troubleshoot any electrical faults in the control cabinets, generator, and other onboard electrical and electronic systems.
(Source:
Power Engineering)
Education and training/entrance requirements
Most wind turbine service technicians
learn their trade by attending a technical school
- TAFE. They are also trained by their employer after hiring.
Most windtechs learn their trade by attending
TAFE where they typically complete certificates in wind
energy technology, although some workers choose to earn an
associate’s degree.
Many TAFEs have onsite wind turbines that
students can work on as part of their studies. In addition to lab
coursework, other areas of focus that reflect the various skill sets
needed to do the job include the following:
Rescue, safety, first aid, and CPR training
Electrical maintenance
Hydraulic maintenance
Braking systems
Mechanical systems, including blade inspection and maintenance
Computers and programmable logic control systems
In addition to their coursework, windtechs typically receive more
than 12 months of on-the-job training related to the specific wind
turbines they will maintain and service. Part of this training is
manufacturer training. Other training may include an internship with
a wind turbine servicing contractor.
| Did You
Know? Nacelle comes from the french word "nacelle" which is the gondola or wicker basket suspended beneath a balloon. (Source: Aviation) A nacelle /nəˈsɛl/ [wind turbine] is a cover housing that houses all of the generating components in a wind turbine, including the generator, gearbox, drive train, and brake assembly. A notable feature now found on some off-shore wind turbines is a large sturdy helicopter-hoisting platform built on top of the nacelle, capable of supporting service personnel and their tools, winched down to the platform from a helicopter hovering above it. Wind turbine rotors are stopped, feathered and locked before personnel are dropped down to or picked up from the platforms. (Source: Wikipedia) |
Energy engineers are involved in the production
of energy through natural resources, such as the extraction of oil and
gas, as well as in the design and construction of power plants that
generate energy from from renewable or sustainable sources, including
biofuels, hydro, wind and solar power.
An energy engineers role varies depending on what
type of energy resource they’re working with. They could be looking at
the extraction of oil and gas, and how natural resources are used. They
may work with a renewable or sustainable resource such as wind, hydro or
solar power. They may be researching and experimenting with biofuels.
For all of these types of energy someone has to designing and building
power plants that can process them, this is also something energy
engineers do.
They work as part of a highly organised team with a detailed schedule
for their project. For each project the engineers create a proposal, and
look at viability and budget before they proceed. They use maths and
computer modelling to create a design that they test the feasibility of,
before they create the real product. Energy engineers need to be aware
of any advancements in renewable and alternative technologies which may
be relevant to their role.
They explore the location and visit the site of where they want to
build. They need to decide upon the best location for equipment to be
installed such as wind turbines or solar panels. Throughout the project
engineers need to consider current legislation and environmental
standards as they can be strict.
Energy engineers are passionate about the environment and creating
cleaner forms of energy. To do this role you need all the skills of a
typical engineer, including strong maths and computer skills, problem
solving abilities and project management skills.
ANZSCO ID:
N/A [June 2022]
Alternative names: Renewable Energy
Engineer,
Knowledge, skills and attributes
To become an energy engineer, you would need:
-
an interest in engineering and new technologies
-
a committment to environmental sustainability
-
problem-solving ability
-
excellent mathematical and computer skills
-
the ability to manage projects, including both physical and people resources
-
good financial and budgeting skills
-
strong communication and teamworking skills.
(Source:
BSRIA)
Duties and Tasks
As an energy engineer, you might:
-
be part of a team that researches, designs and builds new renewable energy technologies or new generating sites
-
carry out lab experiments and adapt them to industrial processes
-
use mathematical and computer models to complete design and specification calculations
-
prepare detailed work schedules, feasibility studies and cost estimates
-
check ground and site conditions for the best locations for installations like wind turbines or large solar panel installations
-
make sure site operations meet environmental standards
-
analyse and improve site costs and efficiencies
-
monitor new technologies and develop and report on performance standards
-
make sure systems and processes comply with legislation and environmental standards
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keep up to date with advances in renewable and alternative technologies.
Working conditions
You would normally work a standard number of
hours, Monday to Friday. If you worked on a site such as a wind farm or
offshore drilling platform you could work on a shift basis which could
include nights and weekends.
Onshore work is mainly in offices and laboratories, with time spent
visiting sites. Some jobs may involve travel and long stays away from
home.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become an energy engineer you usually have to
complete a degree in engineering. You might focus on mining and
petroleum engineering, environmental engineering, electrical engineering
or chemical engineering. To get into these courses you usually need to
gain your senior secondary school certificate or equivalent. English,
mathematics, chemistry and physics would be appropriate subjects to
study prior to university.
Graduates may be eligible for membership of
Engineers Australia.
Employment Opportunities
Employment of energy engineers is projected to
grow about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Job growth is expected because of potential increasing use of
alternative and renewable power sources. Energy engineers will be needed
to design and monitor renewable energy power generation plants, such as
the turbines on wind farms.
Did
You Know? Mathematics helps answer two fundamental questions about wind turbines. First, why three blades? Turbines with fewer blades extract less energy and are noisier (because the blades must turn faster). Those with more than three blades would capture more energy but only about three percent more, which doesn’t justify the increased cost. Second, what percentage of wind energy can a turbine extract? Calculus and laws of conservation provide the justification for Betz Law, which states that no wind turbine can capture more than 60% of the energy in the wind. Modern turbines generally gather 40-50%. So the answer to someone who touts a turbine that can capture 65% of wind energy is “All Betz are off.” (Source: Americian Mathematical Society) |
Power Generation Plant Operators operate boilers, turbogenerators
and associated plant to generate electrical power.
Power generation plant operators operate and maintain machinery and
instruments used in the electricity supply industry for generating
electric power.
ANZSCO ID: 399213
Knowledge, skills and attributes
To become a power generation plant worker, you would need:
-
a logical and thorough approach to work
-
the ability to follow procedures and committed to safe work practices
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to be good at practical mechanical and/or electrical work
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a mature and responsible approach to your work
-
good decision making ability.
(Source:
Your Career)
Duties and Tasks
As a power generation plant operator, you would:
-
operate power plant machinery or run equipment remotely from a control room
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operate control instruments to switch off lines or equipment and to connect alternative circuits
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operates power generation plant controls to produce required load
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control the flow of water in hydroelectric power stations and ensure that the machinery is working correctly
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check instruments and switchboards to make sure that all systems are working efficiently
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diagnose faults and perform basic repairs in mechanical, electrical and process control equipment
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shut down or start up boilers or turbines to decrease or increase power output
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help to isolate or shut down a system in an emergency
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monitors operation of power generation plant and interpreting instrument readings
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authorising procedures to isolate high-voltage and low-voltage electrical apparatus and plant
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writes reports and maintains records on equipment performance, instrument readings and switching operations
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carrying out routine operating tests.
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strictly follow health and safety procedures at all times.
Working conditions
As a power generation plant operator, you would usually work a
standard number of hours per week, which would include shiftwork.
Power generation plant operators work in control rooms, operating a
computer controlled console, as well as in the power plant.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a power generation plant operator you usually have to
complete an apprenticeship or traineeship in ESI Generation
(Operations) or ESI Generation (Systems Operations). Entry
requirements may vary, but employers generally require junior
secondary school certificate or equivalent.
People with qualifications as electricians or in mechanical
engineering trades would likely be able to transition easily to this
role.
Depending on the method of power generation, industry standards may
require power generation plant operators to hold a licence to
Perform High Risk Work. To gain a licence, you would need to
register with an approved Registered Training Organisation and work
under the supervision of a licensed operator. You would need to keep
an approved logbook to record competencies achieved during training.
Assessment by an independent assessor would then be required. To
obtain a licence, you would also need to be at least 18 years of
age.
Employment Opportunities
Employment of power generation plant operators is projected to
decline over the next five to ten years. Electricity usage is
expected to grow more slowly because of advances in technology,
increased energy efficiency and residential solar power
installations. These developments will in turn dampen employment
growth for this occupation.
Newer or upgraded electricity generation plants will have modernised
control rooms that are more automated, so operators will be able to
work more effectively, therefore limiting the number of new job
opportunities.
Related Jobs or
Working with these Jobs
(Jobs not linked are currently being worked on)
Materials sourced from
Truity [Wind
Turbine Technician; ]
Career Map [Wind
Technician; ]
Energy - Career Map [Wind
Technician; ]
My Plan [Wind
Turbine Service Technicians; ]
CareerHQ [Energy
Engineer;
Blog;
]
Your Career [Power
Generation Plant Operator; ]
