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Title: Europe's largest windfarm shut down after 14-tonne turbine blade snaps
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URL Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art ... -shut-turbine-blade-snaps.html
Published: Mar 23, 2010
Author: By Daily Mail Reporter
Post Date: 2010-03-23 22:28:31 by DeaconBenjamin
Keywords: None
Views: 461
Comments: 17
Europe's largest windfarm was shut down after a blade snapped off one of the huge turbines, operators said today. All 140 turbines at the Whitelee windfarm on Eaglesham Moor near Glasgow are being inspected by engineers following Friday's incident. ScottishPower Renewables said mechanical failure or a lightning strike could be to blame for the breakage, which it described as 'highly unusual'. The 150ft, 14-tonne, fibreglass blade broke off in the early hours in windy conditions and landed at the base of its tower. Operators at the site's 24-hour control room were alerted to the damage by the turbine's automatic system and immediately closed it down. Sixty-five turbines have begun operating again following an inspection led by turbine manufacturers Siemens. The examination is expected to be completed by the end of the week. ScottishPower Renewables managing director Keith Anderson said: 'This type of incident is exceptionally rare and highly unusual. 'However, the safety of our people and the public is our first priority. 'While the investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing, our engineers continue to conduct an internal and external examination of all turbine blades at the wind farm.' The Whitelee windfarm, located around 20 minutes from Glasgow city centre, was officially switched on by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond in May last year. Its turbines can generate 322MW of electricity, enough to power 180,000 homes. Two planned extensions will take the number of turbines to 215 by 2012.
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#1. To: DeaconBenjamin (#0)
Could one of those blades really weigh 28,000 pounds?
You never felt how heavy fiber glass is Meanie? Surely a heavy mover like you has bench pressed a Corvette or two in his life.
I once owned a '58 Corvette and I had a job building surfboards for 7 years. No, I don't think that blade weighs 28,000 lbs. What's a "heavy mover"?
Just a joke, Meanie. I am poking good natured fun at the absolute starkness of your fear of a Latino/a planet. I don't always agree with you, but I respect the honest conviction of your opinions. You don't try to wag he dog as some in here do, so I always listen to what you say and think about it - as in food for thought. Hey, as far as the mega wind blade goes, I can't argue with tht kind of experiance with fiber glass. I believe you, that blade can't be that heavy.
#6. To: Ferret (#4)
more from Composites Technology April 2004 While an optimized glass-only design was sufficient for its 54P, LM is turning to carbon fiber in the highly loaded areas of its 61.5m/200 ft blade. The 54P weighs 13,500 kg/29,700 lb. Using the 54P as a baseline, the "cubic rule of thumb" predicts a weight of 19,950 kg/43,890 lb for the longer blade. But the new 61.5P is expected to weigh in at about 18,000 kg/39,600 lb. Four prototype 61.5P blades, which use an epoxy matrix, were fabricated in the first quarter of 2004; one will undergo static testing while the other three will be installed by July on a prototype turbine. the euros are leaving america behind on wind technology, because we can steal oil from iraq and iran at gunpoint, and dont have to screw around with this sissy windpower crap.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest"The 150ft, 14-tonne, fibreglass blade broke off in the early hours in windy conditions and landed at the base of its tower."
#2. To: Big Meanie (#1)
#3. To: Ferret (#2)
#4. To: Big Meanie (#3)
Replies to Comment # 4. Carbon/glass hybrids used in composite wind turbine rotor blade design
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