Methods of joining blade components of wind turbine rotor blades using positioning elements

A method of joining first and second blade components of a rotor blade of a wind turbine, the method comprising:

• providing corresponding first and second positioning elements at an interface of the first and second blade components;
• aligning and securing the first positioning element of the first blade component with the second positioning element of the second blade component so as to temporarily secure the first and second blade components together, wherein the corresponding first and second positioning elements maintain a desired spacing between the first and second blade components;
• and,
• permanently securing the first and second blade components together via welding such that the desired spacing is maintained between the first and second blade components, wherein permanently securing the first and second blade components together via the welding further comprises welding the corresponding first and second positioning elements together and subsequently welding the first and second blade components together.