Blade repair technicians

Wind turbines, wind energy convertors, renewable energy, wind. Buzz words now solidified within big industry, construction and media.

As the new 'green revolution' takes hold and propels us forward to face our inevitable 'energy transition’ the next generation of skilled individuals will be required to participate in the collective movement.

Just as our previous generations offered us their insight, time and energy in building a collective haven of industrial energy infrastructure, the shoulders of which we all now stand upon, the next generation of individuals are now participating in furthering the contribution. One such small group of individuals are rotor blade repair technicians.

A wind turbine overshadowing

A blade repair technician is an individual who is responsible for completing repairs of varying complexity on wind energy converter rotor blades. Usually (but not always) the technician will have a combination of skill sets and abilities utilising rope access techniques or working platforms to access the blades.

Rotor blades on wind energy converters are made up of composite materials such as fiberglass, core material (balsa or foam) and resin. This form of construction is incredibly strong and flexible. The fiberglass acts as a highway for energy transition, allowing the wind to flow against the blades and smoothly exit across the sides and tip. However due to the nature of the material, the blades are vulnerable against environmental factors such as erosion and lightning, to name but a few. The blades can become damaged, varying in severity. The task of a blade repair technician is to identify and repair these damages.

A blade repair technician prepares to descend.

A blade repair technicians role is multi faceted.

Firstly the technician must be trained in the appropriate access methodology to gain access to the blades, which can sometimes be hundreds of meters above terra firma. One such access method is by utilising a specialist form of industrial rope access. Whilst the training for this form of access is relatively simple and accessible, perfecting the techniques, gathering experience and progressing through the skillset levels can sometimes take years. The technician will then be required to be trained in the basic operating procedures for the wind energy converter, as they will be responsible for shutting the machine down, moving the rotor to select the required blades and performing the necessary safety energy isolations (LOTO). This is all before the technician sets foot on the blade itself. Due to the large market, wind energy converters vary in their construction and operation depending on the manufacturer. Manufacturers such as Enercon, Siemens, Vesta's and Nordex all vary with how they are operated. The technician will be required to be familiar with multiple machine types.

Performing isolations

Once on the blade the work may take many forms, from lighting protection system testing, inspections, collecting information for engineering or small to large repairs in the coatings and fibers. Just like the machines themselves, the blade types vary in their construction and material, resulting in different repair specifications for each manufacturer. The typical blade repair season in the UK and Europe stretches between April to October. This is partly due to the environmental limits associated with the materials used such as resin and various coatings. Due to the short working season planning on the off season is critical to success in completing potential work scopes. When the work commences the technician must always be planning ahead as the locations are mostly isolated and remote, unforgiving of misplaced materials and equipment.

Immersed in the repair process

The role of a blade repair technician is both physically and psychologically demanding.

It requires the individual to be continually exposed to high risk environments, challenging scenarios, and environmental extremes. The individual must also be willing to sacrifice a large proportion of their time away from their homes, families and friends. However, ultimately the work can be rewarding, allowing the individual to reap rewards, both financially and experientially.

Individuals are once again asked to make a great sacrifice to contribute in maintaining the next generation of energy infrastructure.

Will you join us?