Wind Power Technician Training Program: Tools and Skills

Are you interested in becoming a Wind Power Technician? Did you know that you can complete a Wind Power Technician training program in as little as 7 months? During the course of MIAT’s Wind Power Technician Training program, you will have the opportunity to learn about wind turbine tools. You will also develop essential professional skills necessary for a career building and maintaining wind turbines with attention to detail and safety. First, are you asking yourself, “What does a wind turbine technician do?”

What Does a Wind Turbine Technician Do?

Wind turbine technicians install, maintain and repair wind turbines, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wind turbine technicians typically do the following on a day-to-day basis:

• Inspect the physical integrity of wind turbine equipment and towers
• Climb wind turbine towers to inspect or repair wind power equipment
• Perform routine maintenance and diagnostics
• Test and troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components and systems
• Replace worn or malfunctioning wind power components
• Collect wind turbine data for testing or research and analysis
• Service underground systems, field substations, and control systems

What is a Wind Turbine Made of?

Wind power turbines are made up of three components: a tower, three blades, and a nacelle. The nacelle is composed of an outer case, generator, gearbox, and brakes. The materials used to make wind power turbines include steel, fiberglass, resin, iron, copper and aluminum.

What is Wind Energy?

Wind energy is the process of creating electricity with the help of wind, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Wind power turbines are used to capture kinetic energy from wind that turns the tower blades. The blades rotate around a rotor, that spins a generator, and creates electricity. Wind power turbines work best in winds that range from six to nine miles per hour. A wind turbine will shut off in extreme winds to prevent equipment damage.

Wind Turbine Technician Professional Skills

Being a wind turbine technician requires professional skill development in order to carry out projects efficiently and safely. The wind turbine technician should develop good team working skills, be comfortable with heights, have good communication skills, be able to follow directions, have good physical conditioning, and pay special attention to safety.

Teamwork – Many wind turbine technicians will work with a team of well-trained professionals to maintain the facilities and equipment.

Comfort with Heights – If something is not functioning properly, the technician needs to figure out the problem and resolve it. Fixing the wind turbine may involve working hundreds of feet above ground on integral parts of the wind turbines.

Communication Skills – Clear communication is important to make sure all the repairs and tests are completed and reported.

Following Directions – Wind turbine technicians maintain all parts of the turbine, change filters, and replace parts on a regular, scheduled basis. Following standard practices, regulations, and procedures is important for precision and workplace safety.

Physical Conditioning – The wind turbine technician will be working on their feet most of the day so having good physical conditioning is essential.

Attention to Safety – The wind turbine technician may work with hazardous chemicals and dangerous equipment on a daily basis. There are a variety of safety guidelines that need to be followed during the course of wind turbine building and maintenance.

Wind Turbine Tools

If you love to work with your hands and use tools, a career in Wind Power may be right for you! Building and maintaining wind turbines involves working with many different tools, including bolt tightening tools, calibration instruments, dimensional measuring tools, electrical test instruments, and hydraulic tools.

Bolt Tightening Tools – there are many bolt-tightening tools for different bolt sizes and applications:

• Electric Torque Wrench – a gearbox that operates from 110 to 220 volts
• Impact Torque Wrench – delivers fast torque of 700+ pounds
• Bolt Tensioner – stretches a bolt stud
• Hydraulic Torque Wrench – a power tool designed to exert torque on a fastener to properly tighten or loosen a connection through the use of hydraulics
• Pneumatic Torque Wrench – a gearbox that works with an air motor and allows up to 10,500 pounds of torque

Calibration Instruments – these are used to calibrate tools and devices to make sure they are performing at peak precision and accuracy:

• Torque Calibration – measures and calibrates torque instruments, including different types of wrenches and power tools
• Pressure Calibration – measures the pressure of another device, or ensures a pressure measurement standard
• Electrical Calibration – verifies and adjusts the performance of any instrument that measures or tests electrical parameters
• Dimensional Calibration – ensures hand tools and measuring instruments provide reliable and precise results

Dimensional Measuring Tools – these measure different dimensions, including height, depth, diameter, thickness, and angle:

• Calipers – measure linear dimensions, thickness, or diameter using parallel jaws
• Micrometers – measure short distances, thicknesses, or diameters
• Dial Indicators – used to measure small distances and angles
• Gages – measure height, depth, diameter and radii
• Borescopes – allow visual inspection into inaccessible areas
• Thickness Gauges – measure the thickness of coatings and materials

Electrical Test Instruments – measure current, voltage, and resistance:

• Ammeter – measures a current in a circuit
• Ohmmeter – measures the electrical resistance through a circuit
• Voltmeter – measures the voltage or potential difference between two points in a circuit

Hydraulic Tools – tensioners to apply controlled bolt loading and hydraulic pumps that will help convert mechanical power into hydraulic energy.

Does a career as a Wind Turbine Technician interest you? Want to learn about the tools and hone the professional skills needed to work in this rewarding career? Renewable, environmentally-sustainable wind energy is a vital resource and an important industry for our future. That’s why MIAT College of Technology offers a Wind Power Technician Training program that provides students with the skills they need to be successful in this innovative field.

To learn more about Wind Power Technician training and to explore if MIAT is right for you, fill out the form on this page. Contact us if you are interested in becoming a wind power technician today.

For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of the students who attended this program, visit disclosures.