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Career guides and practical Authorised Technician preparation, built from real wind industry experience.
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New to wind?
Explore entry routes, training, applications and first mobilisation in Breaking Into Wind.
Preparing for an AT panel?
Use the panel guide, six-day workbook and audiobook to structure your revision.
Authorised Technician Panel Preparation
Nine focused WTSR revision lessons followed by a 20-question final assessment.
- 36 panel questions with model answers
- Automatic marking and answer review
- 80% pass mark with trophy or wooden-spoon result
- Progress saved on this device only
Inside a direct drive turbine
The blades and generator turn together. With no gearbox between them, the generator is designed to make electricity at the rotor's low rotational speed.
Illustrative principle; component placement and generator designs vary by model.
The generator, close up
Many large direct drive turbines use a permanent magnet generator. The inner ring turns with the rotor while coils stay still. The moving magnetic field induces electrical current in the coils.
The large generator diameter helps produce power at the rotor's relatively slow speed. This diagram shows the principle rather than a specific manufacturer's layout.
Blades and hub
Air flowing across each blade creates lift. The blades are mounted to the hub; together they form the rotating part of the turbine. The blade pitch system changes their angle to control how much energy is captured.
Main bearing and direct connection
The bearing supports the rotor's load as it turns. The hub drives the generator directly, so there is no speed-increasing gearbox between the rotor and generator. The exact mechanical arrangement varies by turbine.
Generator rotor and stator
In a permanent magnet design, magnets rotate past stationary copper windings. Their changing magnetic field induces electrical current. A larger generator can work at rotor speed without a gearbox.
Converter and transformer
The power converter conditions the generator output for the electrical network. A transformer then raises the voltage before power enters the wind farm collection system. Their physical locations depend on the turbine design.
Pitch, yaw and controller
Pitch adjusts blade angle to manage power and rotor speed. Yaw turns the nacelle to face the wind. Sensors and the controller coordinate these systems as conditions change.
Further reading: US Department of Energy turbine explainer ↗ · Siemens Gamesa direct drive overview ↗
Safety note
These independent study resources do not replace current safety rules, controlled site documents, formal training or employer authorisation. Follow your employer’s current procedures and instructions.
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