A wind energy engineer works to effectively feed a power grid or other electrical power system by harnessing the power of the wind. The job of a wind energy engineer, according to experts, is to design wind energy collection systems that use the natural power of moving air to generate electricity. Many of these tasks necessitate extensive mechanical engineering education and skill sets.
A wind energy engineer may be involved in evaluating issues of compliance with health and safety codes, as well as any other regulations in a particular jurisdiction, in addition to considering the comprehensive design of wind collection systems. In some municipalities, these engineers may be involved in land-use or other local laws. These broad issues may provide useful insight into how to construct a specific wind energy system in a specific location.
Engineers working on wind energy systems are frequently tasked with extremely technical and mechanical tasks relating to specific system components. This includes creating or maintaining turbines for a specific scale, as well as adding accessories to an existing turbine or generator. Professional wind energy engineers are frequently involved in the creation of models or schematics for wind power application prototypes.
While many of the engineer’s scientific and mechanical roles entail working alone or within an engineering department, other aspects of the job may necessitate consulting with outside organizations. The wind energy engineer may, for example, meet with a sales team on a regular basis if the wind energy systems will be products marketed to a specific audience. These engineers may also meet with upper-level management to discuss wind energy system implementation goals.
Because specific knowledge of wind energy engineering is required for this job, many people interested in becoming wind energy engineers obtain relevant degrees, such as a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. They can also develop practical skills by evaluating and constructing existing prototypes on a more informal basis, such as small windmills. This type of “praxis” activity allows people to demonstrate their knowledge of alternative energy systems before applying for a formal job in wind engineering. These projects also aid in the familiarization of less experienced engineers with the general jargon and construction methods used in most wind energy systems.