Wind farms require significant maintenance to remain functional over time. In addition to the machinery, the blades of the wind turbines suffer from significant wear and require regular inspections and repairs.
Wind turbines have established themselves as a reliable and safe source of energy. Worldwide, wind energy has become the second source of renewable electricity generation.
Wind farms require significant maintenance to remain functional over time. In addition to the machinery, the blades of the wind turbines suffer from significant wear and require regular inspections and repairs. The shutdown of a wind turbine represents a cost not only to the company but also to the entire population of the area whose energy supply may be affected. Therefore, for wind energy to be effective and trustworthy, maintenance and repair of the wind turbines are essential.
What is Blade Repair?
The Blade Repair (BR) training standard was created by GWO as its “most ambitious training standard to date“, with the aim of training workers to perform such a complex and technical, yet essential job.
It is an introductory course designed to provide the student with the necessary skills for the technical work required in a safe manner. It is divided into four blocks:
- General safety: covers, among others, safety data sheets and work instructions, risk assessment, securing an area, equipment locking and tagging, and waste management and pollution control.
- Personal protective equipment: explains the necessary PPE, with a special emphasis on masks and filters to be used.
- General knowledge: explains the knowledge required to perform the technical work, such as chemical safety, compounds and materials, blade construction, and tools and equipment.
- Technical skills: includes basic lamination, sandwich paneling, inspection, sanding, deburring, filling, painting, and repairs of surface, leading and trailing edges, sandwich panel, and bonding lines.
Why get a BR accreditation?
As more wind farms are built, the demand for qualified technicians for the maintenance and repair of wind turbines increases. After completing the BR training, students will be able to properly inspect and report on blade damage, and perform most of the basic repairs needed for proper maintenance.
Would you like to obtain the BR accreditation? Contact us through our web form to learn about our next call for applications.