Southwest Minnesota Careers: Wind Energy Technicians and Mechanics

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Wind Energy Technicians and Mechanics

Overview
With the recent surge in oil prices and concerns about the country’s energy security, embracing renewable energy sources like wind is becoming increasingly critical to our future.(^1) Minnesota currently ranks 7th in the entire United States for installed wind power capacity, and the vast majority of that activity is happening in the Southwest Minnesota region. The growth of the industry has prompted demand for skilled workers in the wind energy industry.

The typical tasks for Wind Energy Technicians include everything from installation to repair to troubleshooting of wind energy towers. A Wind Energy Technician must be capable of working closely with other people, and must have an understanding of environmental issues and politics, written technical skills, and data interpretation.

Wind Energy Technicians will need in-depth knowledge of wind turbines and electrical equipment and electronics; and many applicants complete 1 to 2 years at vocational schools and community colleges, although some less skilled repairers may have only a high school diploma. Job opportunities will be best for applicants with a thorough knowledge of electrical and electronic equipment as well as repair experience.

Job Tasks and Work Activities(^2)

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- climb wind towners to inspect, maintain, or repair equipment
- inspect or repair fiberglass turbine blades.
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
- troubleshoot or repair mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical malfunctions related to variable pitch systems, variable speed control systems, converter systems, or related components
- install or replace meters, regulators, or related measuring or control devices
- install/connect electrical equipment to power circuit
- maintain electrician's tools or equipment
- perform routine maintenance on wind turbine equipment, underground transmission systems, wind fields substations, or fiber optic sensing and control systems
- repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures and replace electronic components
- analyze operation of malfunctioning electrical or electronic equipment
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- read blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- diagnose problems involving wind turbine generators or control systems
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- start or restart wind turbine generator systems to ensure proper operations
- use two-way radio or mobile phone
- solder electrical or electronic connections or components
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
- use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter; or use high voltage apparatus
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- collect turbine data for testing or research and analysis
- test structures, controls, or mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical systems, according to test plans or in coordination with engineers
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- repair or adjust measuring or control devices
- maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
- maintain or repair work tools or equipment
- clean equipment or machinery

Top 5 Abilities(^2)

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Wrist-Finger Speed — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Wages and Jobs
The starting salary for Wind Energy Technicians varies by the company and also what type of experience the applicant has, but roughly, the starting pay is between $18.00 and $25.00 per hour ($37,440 to $52,000 annual wages). An experienced, higher-level technician that is not in a lead position can earn around $57,200 each year, while lead technicians can earn $70,000 or more, according to a major employer in the region.

In Southwest Minnesota, there are approximately 130 Wind Energy Technicians, which are all relatively new positions. Based on the industry growth and the increasing demand for renewable energy sources, it is entirely possible that the number of Wind Energy Technicians in the region would at least double, if not triple, over the next ten years. In other words, there will likely be 125 to 250 additional job openings for Wind Energy Technicians in Southwest Minnesota through 2019 - a demand of at least 12 to 15 new technicians per year.

Preparation
Fortunately for students in Southwest Minnesota, Minnesota West Community & Technical College is a recognized leader in training for the wind energy industry, as well as the renewable energy industry. Minnesota West has programs designed to train people to be Wind Energy Technicians and Wind Energy Mechanics.

Because of the industry's growing popularity, there is a tremendous amount of information available online for interested workers to explore before pursuing a career in the industry:

A Guide To Finding Your Place In The Renewable Energy Field
Mention "renewable energy" and "Minnesota" in the same sentence, and you probably think of ethanol or biodiesel. But there's more going on in alternative energies than making fuel for cars. Biomass, wind energy, and solar power have also experienced serious growth in recent years. The result: jobs. Minnesota is a hotbed of renewable energy resources, and Minnesota West is training the workforce to lead the charge. Want to learn more about today's energy sector and how to find your place in it? Read this web book from Minnesota West, a comprehensive community & technical college with five Southwestern Minnesota campuses and three learning centers. The High Energy publication was made possible in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Minnesota Renewable Career Pathways: Wind
By the year 2020, Minnesota's largest electric utility will produce 30 percent of its power with renewable resources. By 2025, all Minnesota utilities will produce 25 percent of their power using renewable sources. Minnesota is the fourth largest wind energy producer in America. Minnesota is among the top 10 states in the nation with the best wind energy potential. The Wind Energy Career Pathways brochure contains information on the workforce needs of the wind power industry including construction, manufacturing, maintenance, and development.