Wind energy engineers design and maintain wind collection systems, ensuring compliance with regulations and safety codes. They may work on technical tasks, consult with external groups, and require specific knowledge and degrees in wind energy engineering. Practical experience with prototypes is also helpful.
A wind energy engineer works to harness the power of the wind to effectively power a power grid or other electrical power system. Experts describe the wind energy engineer’s job as creating wind energy harvesting systems that will utilize the natural energy of moving air to generate electricity. Many of these tasks require in-depth education and skill sets related to mechanical engineering.
In addition to considering the comprehensive design of wind collection systems, the wind energy engineer may also be involved in evaluating compliance issues with health and safety codes or any other regulations in a specific jurisdiction. These engineers may be involved in issues related to land use or other local laws in specific counties. These general questions can provide important guidance on how to build a specific wind power system in a given location.
Engineers working on wind energy systems often take on extremely technical and mechanical tasks related to specific elements of those systems. This includes building or maintaining turbines to a specific scale or equipping an existing turbine or generator with appropriate accessories. Wind energy engineering professionals also often work on creating models or schematics for prototyping wind energy applications.
While many of the engineer’s scientific and mechanical roles involve working individually or within an engineering department, other parts of the job may require consulting with external groups. Where wind energy systems will be products marketed to a specific audience, the wind energy engineer may meet with a sales team on a regular basis, for example. These engineers may also meet with upper-level management to discuss goals for implementing wind power systems.
As specific knowledge of wind energy engineering is crucial for this position, many who seek a job as a wind energy engineer can earn relevant degrees, such as a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. They can also develop a practical skill set by evaluating and building existing prototypes, such as small windmills, on an informal basis. This type of “praxis” activity helps people prove their knowledge of alternative energy systems before getting a formal job in wind engineering. These projects also help less experienced engineers become familiar with the general jargon and construction methods of most wind energy systems.
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