Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in industry and the academic community.
PO481: Turbines don’t fail—teams do. And the future of wind depends on how we train people, not just machines.
Sam Cowan, Safety, Performance & Leadership Coach , CAVU International
Abstract
Wind farms symbolize the future of clean energy, but behind the elegance of turbine blades lies an operational environment that is anything but simple. Maintenance teams work with heavy gearboxes, high-voltage electronics, and hydraulic systems—often hundreds of feet above the ground, offshore, or in remote, weather-exposed locations. The stakes are enormous: a single gearbox replacement can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and weeks of downtime, with no margin for error in execution. Despite the sophistication of turbine technology, a growing number of operators are realizing that the greatest source of risk is not mechanical—it’s human. Fatigue, miscommunication, fragmented contractor teams, and gaps in leadership capability undermine reliability far more often than equipment failure. Research shows that most serious incidents across high-risk industries stem from human error, not technical flaws. CAVU, the RelyOn Leadership Academy, has adapted proven human performance frameworks from military aviation, nuclear power, and other high-reliability sectors to the wind industry. These frameworks—built on leadership development, continuous improvement, and team resource management—equip wind energy leaders and crews to perform under pressure, not just comply with procedures. Through real-world case studies, we demonstrate how targeted leadership coaching, structured briefs and debriefs, and crew-based decision-making practices reduce downtime, prevent repeat incidents, and create safer, more resilient operations. By moving beyond “tick-the-box” compliance training to performance-centered development, companies build instinctive readiness in their teams—so that when the unexpected happens, crews act with clarity, coordination, and confidence. For wind operators facing rising energy demands, tightening margins, and an increasingly complex workforce, the ability to elevate human performance is no longer optional. It is the key to sustaining safety, reliability, and long-term value from renewable assets.
No recording available for this poster.
