Alan Coulson

Wind resources Engineer, Vattenfall Wind Power in Hexham, UK

What do your duties consist of?

My duties consist of collecting wind data from our various sites across the UK and ensuring that we have the best data availability possible so that we can be sure that our energy predictions are as accurate as we can make them.

How would you describe your typical day at work?

I don’t feel like I have a typical day at work. There's something new everyday that needs to be sorted out ranging from planning applications for masts to going out on site in a 4X4 to repair equipment.

Also I'm developing a data collection and filtering system that will eventually be rolled out across all of the wind resources team in Vattenfall which should speed up the process of screening the large amount of data that is collected everyday.

When I do get a typical day I'll check the wind data we've collected recently for problems. If any problems are spotted I have to try and figure out why there is a problem and then attempt to fix it. Sometimes it’s a simple problem of cold weather freezing the sensors where you just have to wait for warmer weather. But other times its something more serious such as a lightning strike. The trick is trying to work out which it is and making sure that as little data is lost as possible.

What do you enjoy most in your work?

The site work is probably the most enjoyable. Visiting a meteorological mast out in the wilds of Scotland provides some great views and some great challenges. On the rare days where the sun is shining it make the long seven hour drives worth it. There is the challenge of repairing a piece of equipment on-site with only what you can carry on your back. There have been several times I have had to fix things in some quite innovative ways, with very little equipment.

What do you consider most important for ensuring that your work will produce good results?

Patience. Sometimes it can take a long time to find the small amount of data that is creating errors in the calculations or the one fuse out of 50 that is burnt out and needs replacing while on site.