A meteorological (met) tower is a tower with instruments attached and designed to collect data at different positions and heights, measuring wind for potential wind development projects. The instruments are placed on 30, 50, 60 and 80 foot meter towers, documenting every critical detail in making a presentation to potential clients or financial institutions for future wind farms. Most landowners and investors will not move forward with a wind energy project with a MET evaluation.

The study of meteorology has never been such an exciting subject with wind power on the rise. Engineering and surveying skills are also great areas to get into when considering a career in wind energy. All of these areas in wind energy training are now in demand, especially with the site analysis. A site analysis takes many factors into consideration. Surface roughness, what the wind is doing relative to the land’s topography, different locations and obstacles all play a part in the assessment of a large wind project.

An entire year’s worth of on-site wind data is necessary to estimate the energy production at a MET tower site. Weekly data inspections and monthly summary reports are generated and compared to different towers set up in several locations for a comparison reading. Other factors contained in a report may include the availability of the land area, land use, location of obstructions, trees deformed by persistent strong winds, accessibility into the site, potential impact on local aesthetics and possible wind monitoring locations.

Maps are created to identify homes, roads and airports within the vicinity of a potential wind farm and are loaded into software systems so that digital elevations can be accurately measured. This also leads the way for software and computer students to shoot for a specific direction in the future endeavors. There is plenty of room for computer expertise in the wind energy and training sector.

Environmental issues will always be a large part of the wind industry with training to include noise by decibel, shadow flicker, zones of visual influence and the visual impact of the complete wind farm. Taking a course in environmental wind training could prepare you for a position such as this. Together with a comprehensive wind energy assessment of the land, a determination can be made as to the viability of commercial wind energy production at a given site.

Types of wind training in the MET tower installation and monitoring includes consulting, design, installation, construction, engineering, project development services, site survey and assessment services, contractor services, maintenance and repair services. There has never been a better time to enter the wind-training field while the concept is still young. As this new source of energy evolves, it will only grow and become more intense and viable. Wouldn’t it be great to be an expert in your field in a few years just as others are wondering where to start?