As the health of our planet rapidly declines due to climate change, the need is more pressing than ever to expand and improve methods of obtaining green energy.
Renewable energy can be achieved through various methods, not the least of which are solar power, hydropower, and wind energy. As scientists and engineers around the globe scramble to create and implement clean energy practices, it is crucial that their practices are supported and protected by industries like nondestructive testing.
Without NDT, green energy would be nearly impossible. For more on how nondestructive testing supports solar, hydro, and wind power, here’s everything you need to know.
In the simplest sense, solar energy is energy captured from the sun. While it has been around for quite some time, solar technology has developed significantly since its conception.
Since solar energy comes directly from the sun, it will never run out-- unlike other energy sources like coal. According to Revolve, solar energy is achieved when “Solar photovoltaics, or PV” for short, turn sunshine ("photons") directly into electricity ("voltage") through a scientific phenomenon known as the photovoltaic effect.”
Materials required to capture solar energy are solar panels, inverters, electric panels, an electricity meter and the solar grid itself. All of these materials are highly sensitive and must be precisely maintained.
You probably know that, since “hydro” means “water”, hydropower is achieved by harnessing energy from water sources.
Hydropower is also a form of renewable energy that has been around for a long time, with hydroelectric assets as old (and older) than the Hoover Dam.
According to the Department of Environmental Protection, “Hydropower is energy from water sources such as the ocean, rivers and waterfalls.
Because the source of hydropower is water, hydroelectric power plants must be located on a water source. Electricity is produced by directing or channeling moving water to power electric generators.The flow or fall of the moving water determines the amount of energy available.”
Not to be confused with windmills, which were historically used to produce flour or pump water, wind turbines are the structures used to harness wind power.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind energy is “the process of creating electricity using the wind, or air flows that occur naturally in the earth’s atmosphere. Modern wind turbines are used to capture kinetic energy from the wind and generate electricity.”
The three primary types of wind energy are utility-scale, distributed wind, and offshore wind.
For each type of renewable energy, expensive and sensitive instruments are used to harness clean energy that fuels our planet without causing it harm.
Between solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric plants, the time and money invested in these structures are nothing to be trifled with.
NDT technicians perform the crucial testing and maintenance required to keep these instruments operating how they need to to power our planet. Nondestructive testing is one of the only methods to care for these instruments without invasive practices that risk causing damage.
To interact with renewable energy assets, technicians must be experts in their field. This can only be achieved by high-quality certification courses through an accredited NDT school.
At TXNDT, we make sure that each technician we train is fully prepared to enter the workforce. That training includes all of the most important methods, from magnetic particle testing, to liquid penetrant testing, and everything in between.
From introductory NDT courses to NDT level 3 certification, we take an active approach to educating all of our students and encourage all prospective technicians to take an active role in their own learning.
If you or your staff are looking for ways to expand your skills and broaden your career opportunities through nondestructive testing courses, consider NDT certification.
Don’t trust just any NDT school. If you’re looking for a top-tier experience, give us a call today at 281-231-000, or check out our website for more information.
