A Glimpse into Wind Turbine Technician Education
Adult Education in a Growing Green Renewable Energy Career Field
Almost everyone has seen those large wind turbines as they drive around their counties and states or when driving across the country. These alternative sources of electrical energy are springing up all over the country, as this and other countries take advantage of wind to create clean green renewable energy. These wind turbines are not only located on land, many are located off-shore where space and local regulations permit.
Installation and operation of wind turbines is a fast growing industry and will continue growing in the future. Currently, approximately two percent of the United States’ electrical needs are met using wind turbine technology. Soon after President Obama took office, he announced that to address global warming concerns, the percentage of wind turbines providing green energy must be increased to 10 percent by 2012 and 25 percent by 2025 (Obama and Biden).
Along with the growing demand for green wind energy, employer hiring in this industry is expected to grow rapidly. One of the occupations in this industry is wind turbine technicians. This occupation involves the routine maintenance and repair of wind turbines. To meet the demand for more wind turbine technicians, colleges and trade schools in 22 states have developed, or are in the process of developing, programs for adults desiring to enter this career field.
The career field of wind turbine technicians is so new that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has just developed a category for this career. This new category will track specific national and state wages, along with employment information on wind turbine technicians (American Wind Energy Association, "Into the Wind Blog", 27 Feb 2009).
Wind turbine technicians must be agile, safety conscious, and not be afraid of heights. This is because the place they work is 300 feet or 91.44 meters above the ground. However, the views are great. The work is demanding and requires a thorough knowledge of hydraulics, electricity, and electronics.
Paying for Wind Turbine Technician Education
Students enrolling in wind turbine technician programs in colleges and trade schools are typically eligible for federal financial aid , along with additional sources of free money for education. The first step in applying for any of these programs is by completing a Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FASFA).
Wind Turbine Technician Education
Education consists of learning how to maintain and service onshore and off-shore wind turbines designed to generate electricity. A key topic is learning the safety aspects associated with working on wind turbines located off the ground. Graduates earn an associate degree in applied science green technology for wind turbine technician.
Courses being with the introduction of wind turbines and are followed by courses on fundamental electronics, power electronics, semiconductor devices and circuits, hydraulics and various computer applications. The following is a glimpse of typical courses in a wind turbine technician green technology program.
Wind Turbine Operations – introduction to wind turbine operations focusing on reporting requirements, documentation, use of technical manuals, controllers, and monitoring systems.
Alternating and Direct Current Electric Theory – basic electrical theory and components that consist of electrical circuits, including basic circuits and electrical components.
Basic Hydraulics – basic structure and application of hydraulics, including how to read hydraulic schematics and troubleshoot basic hydraulic components.
Wind Turbine Mechanical System – gearboxes and other mechanical systems which are subsystems of today’s wind turbine.
Electric Motors & Generators – types of motors and generators used today, including characteristics of direct and alternating current motors and generators.
Making Connections in Wind Turbine Education
Wind turbine technician education offers adults who are searching for the right career or need to retrain for a new career, the opportunity to enter a new and fast growing green career field. Tips for going back to school provides common answers adults have regarding planning for education programs.
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