Turbine Technician

Jessica Kilroy can’t hear anything but the rush of wind as she dangles from a rope 107 meters (350 feet) above the ground. She spends so much time at this height, her face is often red from windburn. Kilroy started rock climbing when she was 4 years old. But today, she’s not scaling a cliff—she’s at the top of a wind turbine.

The spinning blades of a wind turbine can harness the power of wind and convert it into electricity. Around the world, most countries rely on fossil fuels—like coal, oil, and natural gas—for energy. Once used up, these fuels can’t be replaced. Wind power, on the other hand, is a renewable source of energy. It will never run out. It also doesn’t produce pollution, like burning fossil fuels does.

A damaged blade can put a wind turbine out of commission. As a rope access technician, Kilroy uses climbing gear to reach and repair the blades of these massive structures. Kilroy spoke to Scholastic about what it takes to maintain turbines.

My father is a rock climber, and my mom loves the outdoors, so I grew up going climbing a lot. I’m very comfortable up high. Another rock climber told me about this job—specifically, that it requires someone who can stay calm while working at high elevations. It turned out to be a great fit, and I’ve been doing it for nine years now.

Often, damage is caused by lightning strikes. The electrical current from a strike flows through the blade and scorches it as it exits. That scorch mark can change the shape of the blade. Dust and rain can also wear away the side of the blade that cuts through the air as it spins.

First, technicians who are located off-site use computers to shut down the turbine and stop its blades from moving. Then I climb a ladder inside the turbine tower. At the top, I enter a little room called the nacelle, which houses the mechanical parts of the turbine. It’s cramped inside, so I feel like I’m in a submarine. I use a brake and install special metal cylinders that keep the blades still while I work.

Next, I secure my climbing ropes to the tower and feed them through a device called a rig on the harness I’m wearing. As the rope slides through the rig, the force of friction slows down its movement, allowing me to safely lower myself down to the blade. I also have a partner on the ground who helps guide me. If I need something, like a tool or my lunch, we use a pulley system to carry a bucket up or down with the item.

Turbine blades are made of fiberglass—a strong but lightweight material composed of plastic that’s been reinforced with glass fibers. I use power tools like sanders and grinders to remove damaged areas of fiberglass. Then I fill in any remaining cracks and holes with substances that start out sticky and later harden. These repairs make the blade aerodynamic again. That means it’s able to cut smoothly through the air. This technique is the same way you would repair a fiberglass surfboard. In fact, when I first started training for repairing turbines, I actually practiced on surfboards.

I have the best view around. I also like the feeling I get at the end of the day. The blade rocks with the wind. It feels like I’ve been surfing all day. It reminds me of summer days in my childhood when I’d swim until dark and be happy and exhausted on the way home.