http://www.windaction.org/ facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts en-us Windaction hourly 1 http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.windaction.org/articles/21891 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:59:14 GMT A fierce storm on the afternoon of July 2, 2009 destroyed portions of an industrial wind turbine located between Brieske and Schwarzheide in Germany. Pieces, as shown in this photo, flew 150 meters through the air landing about 50 meters from federal highway Nr. 169. No one was injured. The approximately 40 meter blade broke several trees as it cut a track through the forest. The blade showed signs of lightning damage. The turbine was a Vestas V80- 2MW with a height of 140 meters. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21891 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21890 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:38:25 GMT A fierce storm on the afternoon of July 2, 2009 destroyed portions of an industrial wind turbine located between Brieske and Schwarzheide in Germany. Pieces, as shown in this photo, flew 150 meters through the air landing about 50 meters from federal highway Nr. 169. No one was injured. The approximately 40 meter blade broke several trees as it cut a track through the forest. The blade showed signs of lightning damage. The turbine was a Vestas V80- 2MW with a height of 140 meters. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21890 http://www.windaction.org/articles/18139 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:11:14 GMT A Vestas wind turbine exploded into fire. Fire fighters standby as the fire burns itself out. http://www.windaction.org/articles/18139 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21983 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:03:58 GMT These firefighters are following standard protocol for burning turbines. This involves standing by and permitting the turbine to burn out while arresting potential spread from fragments that fall to the ground. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21983 http://www.windaction.org/articles/19793 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:11:39 GMT http://www.windaction.org/articles/19793 http://www.windaction.org/articles/19792 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:08:47 GMT http://www.windaction.org/articles/19792 http://www.windaction.org/articles/16481 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:06:44 GMT http://www.windaction.org/articles/16481 http://www.windaction.org/articles/6573 Mon, 28 Oct 2002 22:32:39 GMT A man walks near a demolished wind turbine in Goldenstedt, nortwestern Germany, Monday Oct. 28, 2002. The 70 meter (230 foot) high turbine fell during the heavy storms that hit Germany. http://www.windaction.org/articles/6573 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23276 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:52:14 GMT The German army has identified a series of wind park projects as a threat to national security and blocked investments worth 1.5 billion euros because it fears spinning wind turbines will interfere with its radar systems. The Bundeswehr has launched an investigation into the impact of the wind turbines planned for northern Germany's coastal area amid concerns they could compromise air defense -- because they could in theory provide a shield for enemy aircraft. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23276 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22079 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:18:15 GMT Residents near Dortmund were evacuated this week after the ground collapsed around a geothermal heat pump, while in another German town, almost 190 buildings have now been damaged by a geothermal project gone awry. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22079 http://www.windaction.org/articles/21807 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:59:55 GMT Fresh concerns have emerged over the future of BP's alternative energy business after a fire broke out at one of the company's largest solar power installations in Germany. The incident on June 21 destroyed nearly 200 sq m of one of the world's largest roof-mounted solar panel arrays on a warehouse complex in Bürstadt, near Mannheim. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21807 http://www.windaction.org/articles/11519 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:51:07 GMT After the industry's recent boom years, wind power providers and experts are now concerned. The facilities may not be as reliable and durable as producers claim. Indeed, with thousands of mishaps, breakdowns and accidents having been reported in recent years, the difficulties seem to be mounting. Gearboxes hiding inside the casings perched on top of the towering masts have short shelf lives, often crapping out before even five years is up. In some cases, fractures form along the rotors, or even in the foundation, after only limited operation. Short circuits or overheated propellers have been known to cause fires. All this despite manufacturers' promises that the turbines would last at least 20 years. http://www.windaction.org/articles/11519