Design underground or overhead wind farm collector systems and prepare and develop site specifications.
Sample of reported job titles: Engineer, Project Engineer, Turbine Engineer, Turbine Measurements Engineer, Utility Engineer, Wind Energy Consultant, Wind Farm Siting and Development Consultant, Wind Turbine Design Engineer
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
Create or maintain wind farm layouts, schematics, or other visual documentation for wind farms.
Recommend process or infrastructure changes to improve wind turbine performance, reduce operational costs, or comply with regulations.
Create models to optimize the layout of wind farm access roads, crane pads, crane paths, collection systems, substations, switchyards, or transmission lines.
Provide engineering technical support to designers of prototype wind turbines.
Investigate experimental wind turbines or wind turbine technologies for properties such as aerodynamics, production, noise, and load.
Develop active control algorithms, electronics, software, electromechanical, or electrohydraulic systems for wind turbines.
Develop specifications for wind technology components, such as gearboxes, blades, generators, frequency converters, or pad transformers.
Test wind turbine components, using mechanical or electronic testing equipment.
Oversee the work activities of wind farm consultants or subcontractors.
Test wind turbine equipment to determine effects of stress or fatigue.
Monitor wind farm construction to ensure compliance with regulatory standards or environmental requirements.
Direct balance of plant (BOP) construction, generator installation, testing, commissioning, or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) to ensure compliance with specifications.
Analyze operation of wind farms or wind farm components to determine reliability, performance, and compliance with specifications.
Perform root cause analysis on wind turbine tower component failures.
Design underground or overhead wind farm collector systems.
Write reports to document wind farm collector system test results.
Technology Skills
Analytical or scientific software -
ANSYS simulation software; Computational fluid dynamics CFD software; DIgSILENT PowerFactory; EMD International WindPRO; GE Energy Positive Sequence Load Flow Software PSLF; Manitoba HVDC Research Centre PSCAD; Mathsoft Mathcad; Power system modeling software; PowerWorld Corporation PowerWorld Simulator; ReSoft WindFarm; Risoe National Laboratory Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program WAsP; Schneider Electric Direct Coordination; Siemens PSS Product Suite; SKM Systems Analysis Power Tools; The MathWorks MATLAB π₯; WindSim
Business intelligence and data analysis software -
Tableau π₯
Data base management system software -
Microsoft SQL Server π₯
Data base user interface and query software -
Amazon Web Services AWS software π₯; Microsoft Access π₯; Structured query language SQL π₯
Development environment software -
Apache Ant; Formula translation/translator FORTRAN; Microsoft .NET Framework π₯; Microsoft Visual Basic π₯; Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript; Microsoft Visual Studio π₯; National Instruments LabVIEW; Software development tools
Electronic mail software -
Microsoft Outlook π₯
Enterprise application integration software -
Extensible markup language XML π₯
Geographic information system -
ESRI ArcGIS software π₯; ESRI ArcGIS Spatial Analyst; ESRI ArcInfo; Geographic information system GIS software; Google Earth Pro
Industrial control software -
Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software; Wonderware software
Internet browser software -
Web browser software
Map creation software -
Global Mapper Software Global Mapper
Object or component oriented development software -
C# π₯; C++ π₯; Microsoft Visual Basic.NET; Microsoft Visual C# .NET; Oracle Java π₯; Python π₯
Office suite software -
Microsoft Office software π₯
Operating system software -
Linux π₯; UNIX π₯
Presentation software -
Microsoft PowerPoint π₯
Process mapping and design software -
Microsoft Visio π₯
Program testing software -
JUnit π₯
Project management software -
Microsoft Project π₯; Oracle Primavera Systems
Spreadsheet software -
Microsoft Excel π₯
Video conferencing software -
Web conferencing software
Word processing software -
Microsoft Word π₯; Word processing software
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
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.
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Detailed Work Activities
Create graphical representations of energy production systems.
Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
Research design or application of green technologies.
Design energy production or management equipment or systems.
Determine design criteria or specifications.
Test green technologies or processes.
Direct energy production or management activities.
Monitor processes for compliance with standards.
Evaluate the characteristics of green technologies.
Conduct quantitative failure analyses of operational data.