Wind Energy

As you can see from this photo, wind energy has been around longer than you and I. As the price of oil continues to soar, more financial investment and research continues to be made in renewable sources, wind being only a fraction of the mix, which ultimately leads to more wind energy jobs. I ran across Lee Devlin's webblog which contains some interesting technical aspects of wind energy generation, for those of you with inquiring minds.

Colorado employers of wind energy include Xcel Energy, the nation's No. 1 wind power provider, having built Colorado's first commercial wind farm, the 30-megawatt Ponnequin Wind Farm in northern Colorado. In addition, Colorado recently welcomed Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems to the city of Windsor in Weld County, Colorado. Businesses that also support these wind companies include Hexcel Hexcel (developer and manufacturer of carbon fiber and composite structures for wind blades).

The wind industry employs a plethora of different types of jobs. A long list of these jobs appear on the SOS staffing website (see post: Vestas is Hiring), and include positions in: finance, safety, HR, accounting, production, warehouse, welders, crane operators...)

(photo courtesy of Nick Hess)

One of the core jobs is a Wind Technician. For jobseekers who are mechanically inclined, prefer heights (up to 300 feet), can withstand inclement weather, and love to work outdoors, this may be their dream job.

Following are sections of job descriptions I extracted from GE and Vestas websites for wind technician positions (note: these descriptions for informational purposes only and do not imply a job offer or guarantee job availability at the time you read this blog):
(photo courtesy of Nick Hess)

Vestas
Power your life: Vestas offers you challenging, global career opportunities in cleantech. Our 23% market share makes us the world leader in modern energy. We have installed more than 35,000 wind turbines worldwide and we reduce CO2 emissions by more than 40 million tons per year. In 2008, our 16,178 employees will welcome 2,500 new colleagues. Care to join us?

Department: Customer Service

Responsibilities and Tasks: Vestas – American Wind Technology, Inc Position Profile

Job Title: Service Technician 1 Hourly/Salary: Hourly

Direct Supervisor Title: Site Supervisor Date: March 2007

Department: Service

GENERAL PURPOSE: Perform operational and maintenance work on wind turbine generators that includes preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs and modifications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Troubleshoot and repair integrated systems.
2. Perform maintenance on turbine equipment.
3. Collect turbine data for research or analysis.
4. Report turbine conditions.
5. Complete reports and paperwork as required.
6. Travel as required to meet business needs.
7. Perform overtime as needed to meet business needs.

Qualifications and Work Experience:
- High school education or equivalent required, technical Associates degree preferred.
- Minimum of one year of hydraulic, electrical, or mechanical experience.
- Computer and software skills for data collection and reporting preferred.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and solid problem solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and unsupervised as well as in a team environment.
- Ability to climb ladders to heights of 60 to 100 meters several times a day and work in confined spaces with diverse environmental conditions.
- Ability to work in a safe manner and follow applicable safety standards and procedures.
- Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time, climb stairs, lift/push/carry up to 75 pounds, pull up to 200 pounds, hearing ability to use close range radios, visual acuity including depth perception, field of vision and the ability to distinguish between colors, ability to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl as needed, as well as hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity

What we offer: Vestas offers a competitive salary and one of the most comprehensive benefits plans in the industry, including fully paid healthcare premiums for the employee and all eligible dependents, four weeks accrued vacation year, five sick days per year and a generous 401(k) plan.

Closing Date: 30.06.2008


General Electric
GE is one of the world's leading wind turbine suppliers. With over 8,400 worldwide wind turbine installations comprising more than 11,300 MW of capacity, our knowledge and expertise spans more than two decades.With wind manufacturing and assembly facilities in Germany, Spain, China, Canada and the United States, our current product portfolio includes wind turbines with rated capacities ranging from 1.5 to 3.6 megawatts and support services ranging from development assistance to operation and maintenance.

Position: Wind Tech
Business Unit: GE Infrastructure, Energy
Function: Services
Location: Peetz, CO
Job #: 815493
Posted: Apr 15, 2008

Wind Tech Essential Functions (Responsibilities):
* Responsible for the operations, maintenance, and repair of wind turbine generators.
* Troubleshoots complicated mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical problems on variable pitch, variable speed turbines.
* Helps in all areas of site operations as directed by manager with minimal supervision.
* Performs all mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical component maintenance, repair or replacement of parts to correct malfunctions. Will perform some diagnostic electrical analysis.
* Must be able to document all work performed using computer based service reporting procedures.

Qualifications/Requirements:
* A.S. technical electrical/electronic degree or min 3+ years work experience in electrical/electronic repair industry.

Requirements:
* You must submit your application for employment through gecareers.com to be considered.
* You must be 18 years or older.
* You must be willing to take a drug test as part of the selection process.
* You must be willing to submit to a background investigation as part of the selection process.
* Valid drivers license and clean driving record history.
* You must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.
* Ability and willingness to handle repetitive weight - 50 lbs.
* Ability to climb towers up to 300 feet.
* Ability and willingness to work in all weather conditions.
* Ability and willingness to: read, and interpret technical manuals, procedures, and regulations; to write reports; to subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.
* Ability and willingness to work in range of environments to include but not limited to industrial facilities, manufacturing facilities, and power industry facilities.
* Willingness and ability to take initiative, and work without direct supervision.
*Employee will be dispatch from service center.
*Employee shall be available for rotation shift schedules 24 hours seven days a week.
* No relocation will be provided.

Desired: Wind turbine experience.