News
Category:
Safety and Icing
Ice plagues northern wind farm; Only 11 of 33 turbines operating
January 12, 2012 by Matthew Bingley in CBC News
January 12, 2012 by Matthew Bingley in CBC News
Workers are currently trying to find a way to melt some of the ice. They will use helicopters to spray the blades with hot water in an attempt to break up some of the ice, she said.
Last year, all 33 of the turbines had to be shut-down for over a month.
Also filed under [
Canada]
Northern New Brunswick's cold, icy weather is causing wind turbines to freeze and stop producing power at the Caribou Wind Park near Bathurst.
The new wind farm's 33 turbines have been generating power since November, but they have been forced to shut down for the past two days due to ice forming on some of the blades.
Also filed under [
Canada]
A wind developer that became a "lightning rod" for the industry when one of its turbines started shedding ice in December, has revealed its latest strategy for dealing with ice build-up, writes Rachel Johnson. ..."We knew icing would occur but believed our turbines would stop in the event of an ice build up," he said.
The investigation revealed that the most widely available guidelines on icing, including those from the BWEA, had said that wind turbines are designed to shut down in the event of an ice build up.
Also filed under [
UK]
Sensor fails to stop ice-terror wind turbine
January 24, 2009 by Marie Baker in The Evening Telegraph
January 24, 2009 by Marie Baker in The Evening Telegraph
A sensor which should switch off a wind turbine in icy conditions has failed - for the second time.
As reported in The Evening Telegraph last week, a faulty sensor on the turbine in King's Dyke, Whittlesey, was blamed for huge shards of ice flying off its blades and crashing into homes and gardens in November. ..."The turbine was shut down immediately after we were alerted, and will remain in this state until further notice."
Also filed under [
UK]
A Meridian Energy witness was scrutinised for not considering Central Otago's harsh winter, which could shut down wind turbines in times of high demand.
The Environment Court hearing into the $2 billion Project Hayes windfarm continued yesterday with wind energy consultant Graham White appearing for Meridian.
He said in freezing humid condition wind turbines could ice up and no longer operate.
Also filed under [
Australia / New Zealand]
A faulty sensor on a giant wind turbine is being blamed for huge shards of ice flying off its blades and crashing into nearby homes and gardens.
As The Evening Telegraph reported in November, residents in King's Dyke, Whittlesey, had to take cover for more than four hours when huge lumps of ice, some measuring 2ft, were flung from the giant machine's blades.
Also filed under [
UK]
The failure of a sensor to halt a giant wind turbine when temperatures fall is blamed for shards of ice crashing into nearby homes in Cambridgeshire.
The Cornwall Light and Power 80m (262ft) turbine was put up in August, near an industrial estate and close to homes in King's Dyke, Whittlesey.
On 29 November chunks of ice started crashing into gardens.
Also filed under [
UK]
The wind industry concedes that, as with all tall things (buildings, for example, or trees), ice and snow can build up and, eventually, fall down, creating a hazard to people and structures below.
But the industry denies that "ice-throwing" - another concern surrounding wind power - is a problem. ...But a 2006 publication by G.E. Energy, a maker of large wind turbines, warns that "rotating turbine blades may propel ice fragments some distance from the turbine - up to several hundred meters if conditions are right."
Also filed under [
New York]
Wind turbine closed after showering homes with blocks of ice
December 4, 2008 by Murray Wardrop in Telegraph.co.uk
December 4, 2008 by Murray Wardrop in Telegraph.co.uk
A wind turbine has been switched off and an investigation launched after its frozen blades showered nearby homes with large chunks of ice.
Residents complained when the 260ft wind generator began hurling shards of ice, some measuring two feet long, after the cold snap over the weekend.
Also filed under [
UK]
Residents were left fearing for their safety after shards of melting ice fell on homes and gardens from the blades of a giant wind turbine.
For about four hours people in King's Dyke, Whittlesey, had to take cover as huge lumps - some two feet long - showered them from the 80 metre high tower on Saturday morning.
Resident Peter Randall, whose son's house lies a stone's throw away from the turbine, said: "Somebody is going to get killed. There was huge lumps of ice shooting off and landing everywhere.
Also filed under [
UK]
Plans for a wind turbine on top of the City of Manchester Stadium have been abandoned for fear of falling ice.
Planning permission for the 280ft (85m) turbine - which would have powered the stadium and some neighbouring homes - was granted in August 2006.
But the project was delayed after experts warned of a risk of ice falling from the blades in cold weather.
Also filed under [
UK]
The pros and cons of building wind turbines near public roads took center-stage at last week's Grant County Commission meeting.
Also filed under [
West Virginia]
Mountaintop residents cite wind turbine issue, want county to oppose some towers
August 24, 2007 in Grant County Press
August 24, 2007 in Grant County Press
The reception was somewhat on the chilly side, Tuesday, when a pair of mountaintop residents brought their protests about windpower electricity to the Grant County Commission.
Residents Bruce Halgren and Richard Spicer appeared before commissioners as part of a campaign to reduced the number of windpowered turbines being erected in the community by NedPower and Shell Renewables and Hydrogen.
The pair asked commissioners to oppose six turbines to be constructed within 820 feet of public roadways. They say the turbines present an "ice throw" hazard to motorists on Grassy Ridge Road and state Route 93.
ICE forming on wind turbines can fly off, posing a potential danger to passing walkers in "exceptional" weather conditions, ScottishPower has admitted.
Also filed under [
UK]
Wind mills would hurt public - Danger of ice flung from blades in winter would keep outdoors lovers away from land, man testifies.
February 1, 2006 by Michael P. Buffer in timesleader.com
February 1, 2006 by Michael P. Buffer in timesleader.com
BEAR CREEK TWP. – The proposed addition of nine massive wind turbines around Crystal Lake would prevent nature lovers from accessing public land, according to testimony at a zoning hearing on Tuesday.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning|
Pennsylvania]
BEAR CREEK TWP. – Hiking trails around Crystal Lake could be ideal for snowmobiling and cross country skiing now that Luzerne County owns the property, purchased with public money for the purpose of preservation and recreation.
Planning Commission Chairman Brian Keefe had his hands full keeping the overflow audience from drifting away from the siting issue. Many wanted to discuss questions of aesthetics or the merits of wind power. Keefe explained that there would be at least two or three meetings to discuss those other issues.
Also filed under [
Technology|
Impact on Landscape|
Erosion|
Impact on People|
Zoning/Planning|
Vermont]