Author: Jackie Dickens

Climbing a wind turbine is a specialized task that requires training, safety equipment, and adherence to strict protocols due to the height and complexity of the structures. Here’s how it is typically done:

1. Preparation and Training

• Certification: Workers must have the necessary certifications, such as Global Wind Organization (GWO) training, which covers working at heights, first aid, fire awareness, and manual handling.
• Health and Safety Checks: Climbers must undergo health checks to ensure they are fit for working at heights. Safety briefings and risk assessments are also conducted before any climb.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Harness and Fall Arrest System: Workers wear a full-body harness attached to a fall arrest system. This system includes a lanyard or self-retracting lifeline connected to an anchor point on the turbine.
• Helmet and Gloves: A safety helmet protects against head injuries, and gloves provide a secure grip while climbing.
• Climbing Suit and Footwear: A climbing suit, often flame-resistant, and sturdy, non-slip boots are worn to protect against environmental hazards and ensure a good grip.

3. Climbing the Turbine

• Internal Ladder: Most wind turbines have an internal ladder running up the tower. This ladder is equipped with a vertical safety rail or cable system to which climbers attach their fall arrest lanyard.
• Climbing in Stages: Climbers typically ascend in stages, resting at intermediate platforms. These platforms also serve as emergency exit points in case of fatigue or other issues.
• Self-Retracting Lifeline: This device automatically adjusts the length of the lanyard, preventing slack and minimizing the risk of falling.

4. Using the Elevator (If Available)

• Service Lifts: Some wind turbines are equipped with service lifts (small elevators) that can carry workers part or all of the way up the tower, reducing the physical strain of climbing.
• Lift Safety Protocols: When using the lift, workers must adhere to safety protocols, including checking the lift’s condition and following weight limits.

5. Reaching the Nacelle

• Final Ascent: The last part of the climb may involve transitioning from the internal ladder to access the nacelle, the housing that contains the gearbox, generator, and other critical components.
• Securing in Place: Once at the nacelle, workers secure themselves with additional lanyards to ensure they remain safely tethered while performing tasks.

6. Working in the Nacelle and on the Blades

• Confined Space Procedures: The nacelle can be a confined space, requiring specific procedures to ensure safe movement and ventilation.
• Blade Access: For work on the blades, technicians may use rope access techniques, hanging from the nacelle, or they might use platforms or cranes for maintenance tasks.
• Continuous Monitoring: Workers remain in constant communication with the ground team, and their condition is monitored to ensure safety.

7. Descent

• Controlled Descent: After completing their work, climbers carefully descend using the same ladder or lift system, ensuring they remain attached to the fall arrest system at all times.
• Emergency Descent: In case of an emergency, climbers can use an emergency descent device that allows them to rappel down the tower safely.

8. Post-Climb Procedures

• Equipment Check: After the climb, workers inspect their equipment for any damage and ensure it is in good condition for future use.
• Reporting and Debriefing: Workers complete any necessary reports and participate in a debriefing to discuss any issues encountered during the climb and ensure continuous safety improvements.

Safety Considerations

• Wind Conditions: Climbing is typically restricted or halted in high winds or severe weather conditions, as these can make the climb more dangerous.
• Emergency Preparedness: Workers are trained in emergency procedures, including self-rescue and the use of emergency descent devices.
• Regular Training: Regular refreshers in safety protocols and climbing techniques are necessary to keep certifications current and ensure safety standards are maintained.

Climbing a wind turbine is a highly skilled task that prioritizes safety at every step, from preparation and equipment to the climb itself and subsequent descent.

How to make money from wind turbines? A question we get asked a lot, so here goes…

Wind farms are large-scale installations of wind turbines that generate electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of the wind. These farms can be located onshore (on land) or offshore (in bodies of water), and they are designed to produce significant amounts of renewable energy for distribution to the electrical grid. Wind farms are a crucial part of the global shift towards renewable energy, with countries worldwide investing in wind energy as a means to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy security, and meet climate goals. They play a significant role in the energy transition, contributing to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.

Building a wind farm is a significant endeavor requiring careful planning, substantial investment, and ongoing management. The process is complex but vital for harnessing renewable energy and contributing to a sustainable energy future. But with such huge amounts of resource required to build and operate a wind farm, including staff, training, maintenance, equipment and repairs, how do companies get a return on their investment?

Companies make money from wind energy through several revenue streams, all of which are tied to the generation and sale of electricity, incentives, and related services.

Here’s how it works:

1. Selling Electricity

• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Wind energy companies enter into long-term contracts with utilities, businesses, or governments to sell electricity at a fixed price. These agreements provide a steady income stream and reduce financial risk for both parties.
• Wholesale Market Sales: In some cases, wind energy producers sell electricity directly on the wholesale electricity markets, where prices can fluctuate based on demand and supply conditions.

2. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

• Selling RECs: Wind energy companies generate Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for each megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity produced. These certificates can be sold to utilities or corporations to help them meet renewable energy mandates or voluntary sustainability goals. RECs provide an additional revenue stream independent of the electricity itself.

3. Government Incentives and Subsidies

• Production Tax Credits (PTCs): In countries like the U.S., wind energy companies can benefit from tax credits based on the amount of electricity they produce. The Production Tax Credit (PTC) provides a per-kilowatt-hour tax credit for the first ten years of a wind farm’s operation.
• Investment Tax Credits (ITCs): Some wind projects might qualify for Investment Tax Credits, which allow a percentage of the cost of developing a wind farm to be deducted from taxes.
• Grants and Loans: Governments sometimes offer grants, low-interest loans, or other financial incentives to support the development of wind energy projects.

4. Selling Carbon Offsets

• Carbon Credits: Wind energy projects reduce carbon emissions, and companies can sell carbon credits generated from these reductions. Corporations or governments seeking to offset their carbon footprint purchase these credits, adding another revenue stream.

5. Equipment Manufacturing and Maintenance

• Turbine Sales: Companies that manufacture wind turbines, blades, and other components profit from selling these to wind farm developers.
• Operations and Maintenance Services: After wind farms are operational, companies can earn money by providing maintenance services, ensuring the turbines are functioning efficiently and minimizing downtime.

6. Ownership and Operation of Wind Farms

• Energy Companies and Utilities: Some energy companies build, own, and operate wind farms themselves, generating revenue from electricity sales while benefiting from government incentives and RECs.
• Independent Power Producers (IPPs): These companies develop and operate wind farms, selling electricity to utilities or directly to large industrial users under PPAs.

7. Leasing Land

• Land Lease Payments: Wind energy developers often lease land from farmers or other landowners to build wind farms. Landowners receive lease payments, while the wind energy company profits from the electricity generated.

8. Exporting Technology and Expertise

• Consulting Services: Wind energy companies may offer consulting services, sharing their expertise in wind farm development, grid integration, and project management with other developers or governments.
• Exporting Equipment: Companies in countries with advanced wind energy industries might export wind turbines, blades, and other components to countries where the wind energy sector is still developing.

9. Innovative Financing Structures

• Yieldcos: Some companies create yieldcos, publicly traded entities that own wind farms and other renewable energy assets. Yieldcos provide investors with a steady return from the revenue generated by these assets, while the parent company raises capital by selling shares.

Wind energy companies make money through a combination of direct sales of electricity, leveraging government incentives, selling environmental credits, and providing related products and services. As the global push for clean energy continues, these revenue streams are expected to grow, making wind energy an increasingly profitable industry.

What is the Global Wind Organisation (GWO)?

The Global Wind Organisation (GWO) is a non-profit body that was established by leading wind turbine manufacturers and operators. Its primary mission is to ensure a safer and more productive work environment for those employed in the wind energy industry through the creation and standardization of safety training and emergency procedures.

Key Objectives of GWO

1. Standardization of Training

   • Uniform Safety Standards: GWO aims to create and maintain standardized training programs and safety protocols that are recognized globally, ensuring a consistent level of safety and competence across the wind energy sector.
   • Quality Assurance: By setting high standards for training providers, GWO ensures that all training is delivered to the same high level of quality and effectiveness.

2. Safety and Risk Reduction

   • Incident Prevention: Through comprehensive training modules, GWO aims to significantly reduce the number of accidents and incidents in the wind energy industry.
   • Emergency Preparedness: GWO training equips workers with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively in emergency situations, thereby minimizing potential harm.

3. Enhancing Competence

   • Skilled Workforce: By certifying workers in essential safety practices and technical skills, GWO helps to cultivate a highly skilled and competent workforce in the wind energy sector.
   • Continuous Improvement: GWO continuously updates and improves its training standards to reflect the latest industry practices and technological advancements.

GWO Training Standards

GWO offers a variety of training modules, which are typically divided into Basic Safety Training (BST) and Advanced modules. Key training modules include:

1. Basic Safety Training (BST)

   • First Aid: Training on basic first aid techniques and emergency response.
   • Manual Handling: Instruction on safe manual handling techniques to prevent injury.
   • Fire Awareness: Education on fire prevention, firefighting, and evacuation procedures.
   • Working at Heights: Training on safe practices for working at heights, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
   • Sea Survival: For offshore workers, training on survival techniques in the event of an emergency at sea.

2. Advanced Modules

   • Advanced Rescue Training (ART): Training on complex rescue scenarios and techniques.
   • Enhanced First Aid (EFA): More in-depth first aid training tailored to the wind industry.

Membership and Governance

GWO is governed by its member companies, which include some of the largest and most influential wind turbine manufacturers and operators in the world. These members collaborate to develop and update GWO training standards and ensure they meet the evolving needs of the industry.

What is GWO Certification?

GWO (Global Wind Organisation) certification is a set of standardized training programs and safety guidelines designed for personnel working in the wind energy industry. The certification is developed and governed by the Global Wind Organisation, a non-profit body founded by leading wind turbine manufacturers and operators. The goal of GWO certification is to ensure that all wind energy workers possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs safely and effectively.

Key GWO Training Modules

The GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) standard includes several core modules:

1. First Aid: Training on basic first aid techniques, including CPR, wound treatment, and emergency response.
2. Manual Handling: Instruction on safe lifting techniques and ergonomics to prevent injuries related to manual handling tasks.
3. Fire Awareness: Education on fire prevention, firefighting techniques, and safe evacuation procedures.
4. Working at Heights: Training on safe practices for working at heights, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like harnesses and fall arrest systems.
5. Sea Survival: For offshore wind workers, training on survival techniques in the event of an emergency at sea, including the use of life-saving equipment.

Additionally, there are advanced modules such as GWO Advanced Rescue Training (ART), which covers more complex rescue scenarios and techniques.

Why Do Wind Technicians Need GWO Certification?

1. Safety Assurance

• Risk Mitigation: Working on wind turbines involves significant risks, including falls from height, electrical hazards, and adverse weather conditions. GWO certification ensures that technicians are well-trained to recognize and mitigate these risks.
• Standardized Safety Practices: The certification provides a standardized approach to safety, ensuring that all technicians adhere to the same high standards, regardless of where they work.

2. Compliance with Industry Standards

• Employer Requirements: Many wind turbine manufacturers and operators require GWO certification as a minimum standard for employment. This ensures that all workers meet a consistent level of competency.
• Regulatory Compliance: In some regions, GWO certification helps companies comply with local safety regulations and occupational health standards.

3. Operational Efficiency

• Reduced Accidents: Well-trained technicians are less likely to have accidents, which can lead to fewer disruptions and lower costs related to injuries and equipment damage.
• Improved Skills: GWO training equips technicians with the skills needed to perform their tasks efficiently and safely, leading to improved overall operational performance.

4. Professional Development

• Career Advancement: Holding a GWO certification can enhance a technician’s credentials, making them more attractive to employers and opening up opportunities for career advancement.
• Continual Learning: GWO certification programs often require periodic refresher courses, ensuring that technicians stay up-to-date with the latest safety practices and technological advancements in the industry.

Conclusion

GWO certification is a crucial component for anyone working in the wind energy sector. It ensures that wind technicians are adequately trained to handle the unique risks associated with their jobs, promotes industry-wide safety standards, helps companies comply with regulations, and supports the professional growth of the technicians. By standardizing training and safety practices, GWO certification plays a key role in fostering a safer and more efficient working environment in the wind energy industry.

STL USA proudly offers our Low and High Voltage Electrical Safety Training that conforms the national NFPA 70E standard. The training course we offer is a wind-specific, face-to-face training program designed to equip wind technicians with the electrical safety knowledge, best work practices in electrical safety, and how to apply them in real-world situations.

Here we delve into a bit more detail regarding what the NFPA 70E actually means and why it’s so important for those of us working with wind turbines.

NFPA 70E is the National Fire Protection Association’s standard for electrical safety in the workplace. It provides guidelines to protect workers from electrical hazards, including shock, arc flash, and arc blast. The standard covers safety-related work practices, safety-related maintenance requirements, and other administrative controls to ensure safe work environments when employees are exposed to electrical hazards.

How is this applicable to working in Wind Turbines?

Working on wind turbines involves exposure to various electrical hazards, making NFPA 70E highly relevant. Here’s how NFPA 70E applies to the wind energy sector:

1. Electrical Safety Program

   • Wind energy companies must develop an ESP tailored to the specific risks associated with wind turbines. This includes procedures for safe work on electrical components, such as generators, inverters, transformers, and control systems.

2. Training

   • Employees working on wind turbines must be trained in electrical safety according to NFPA 70E standards. This includes understanding the specific electrical hazards associated with wind turbines and the safe work practices required to mitigate these risks.

3. Work Practices

   • Safe work practices, including LOTO procedures, are critical when servicing wind turbines. LOTO ensures that electrical systems are de-energized and cannot be accidentally re-energized during maintenance.
   • Proper use of PPE, such as insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing, and face shields, is essential to protect against shock and arc flash hazards.

4. Maintenance

   • Regular maintenance and inspection of electrical components within the wind turbine, such as the generator, control panels, and wiring, must be performed according to NFPA 70E guidelines to ensure their safe operation.

5. Risk Assessment

   • Conducting risk assessments for tasks involving electrical work on wind turbines is crucial. This includes identifying potential arc flash hazards, determining arc flash boundaries, and specifying required PPE and safety measures.

6. PPE and Arc Flash Protection

   • Wind turbine technicians must use appropriate PPE to protect against arc flash incidents. NFPA 70E provides guidelines for determining the arc flash boundary and selecting the right PPE based on the incident energy level.
   • Arc flash labels must be placed on electrical equipment to indicate the potential hazard and required PPE, helping technicians quickly identify the necessary precautions.

Specific Examples in Wind Turbines

1. Generator Maintenance

   • When servicing the wind turbine generator, technicians must follow LOTO procedures to ensure it is de-energized. They should wear arc-rated clothing and use insulated tools to prevent electrical shock and arc flash incidents.

2. Control Panel Work

   • Technicians working on control panels within the nacelle must perform a risk assessment to determine the arc flash hazard. Appropriate PPE, such as an arc flash suit and face shield, should be worn to protect against potential arc flash.

3. Cable Inspections

   • Inspecting and maintaining the cabling that runs from the nacelle to the transformer requires adherence to NFPA 70E standards. This includes verifying de-energization and using insulated gloves and protective clothing.

As you can see, high quality QEW Electrical Safety training is essentail for safely working in wind turbines, it’s vital importance cannot be overlooked.

The STL USA QEW training is a 2-day course covering 2 modules, for low and high voltage, and is easily tagged onto the end of any of our other training courses taken at our sate of the art facilities in Abilene, Texas. Modules can be taken together over the 2 days or individually as required.

We are also a Siemens approved provider for QEW training to NFPA 70E low voltage, vital for anyone wishing to work in or around Siemens turbines.