Science

Wind Turbine Maintenance

By Nick Morrison

Wind Turbines like most electro/mechanical devices do need some maintenance. Conventionally once a year.

Some of the larger units have an internal ladder in the mast, however most of the units in Orkney are lowered to the ground by hydraulic rams.

Some smaller turbines use “Lowering to the ground” as a mechanism to prevent damage by high winds, most Orkney units “feather the prop” .

The maintenance truck has a diesel powered hydraulic pump and also carries the rams and associated tools. Setting up the rams is a bit like changing a bucket on a digger, only these guys have to do it above head height!

Leave a Reply