A wind turbine on fire can be an incredible sight, but it also a terrifying and hazardous reality that is difficult to put out once started.
Lightning strikes, electrical malfunction and mechanical malfunction are the three primary sources of ignition. These fires can result in extensive downtime and substantial economic losses.
Lightning Strike
Lightning can wreak havoc on turbine blades, electrical system and even batteries used for energy. While this issue is not very frequent, it does happen and lead to severe destruction.
Lightning strikes can cause wind turbines to catch fire and be completely destroyed, as happened recently in El Dorado, Kansas when a storm struck their turbine and put it out of service.
Lightning struck a single blade on the turbine, setting it ablaze and sending out rings of smoke. The flames encircled and consumed the blade before spreading to its surrounding nacelle and tower – ultimately leading to its destruction.
If a lightning strike occurs to a turbine, the most important thing is to keep people away until it has cooled down. This is because electricity from lightning can cause severe injuries and permanent damage if victims do not receive immediate help.
Lightning strikes can strike individuals, trees and other structures as they are highly conductive to the positive charge created in a cloud below.
Therefore, it is essential for the owner or operator of a wind turbine to be aware of what can cause a lightning strike and how to avoid one.
One way to reduce the likelihood of a lightning strike on a turbine is by installing sensors that can detect potential damage. This will enable inspection of the turbine to determine its severity and where it struck.
Owner/operators can take steps to guarantee their turbine is resistant to lightning strikes, saving time and money in the process by keeping repair costs for wind turbines low.
Therefore, it’s essential to maintain your turbine in good condition and free of dust and dirt. Regular cleanings and inspections will guarantee your turbine stays in top shape so it can withstand lightning strikes with ease and be as efficient as possible.
Electrical Fault
Wind turbines can catch fire when their electrical components malfunction, creating heat and sparks that ignite flammable materials. Common causes include converter cabinets and capacitor cabinets located inside the nacelle of a wind turbine.
Multiple factors can cause a power outage, including lightning strikes and snow accumulation on transmission lines. These environmental conditions disrupt the power supply and damage electrical installations.
Another potential danger from electrical faults is arc flash, which can result in deep flash burns to personnel. In 2011, three wind workers in China perished when an electrical error caused an arc flash within a wind turbine.
These incidents are of grave concern and must be addressed by the wind industry before any accidents take place. Furthermore, these mishaps could result in substantial economic losses for the sector as a whole.
Some common electrical faults that could result in a fire include short circuits, open circuits, under voltage and overcurrent. When these conditions exist, current is diverted away from its normal value which causes extensive damage to both equipment and conductor insulation.
Electrical faults can occur for many reasons, but most can be avoided with the installation of protective devices in your system. These mechanisms will automatically shut off faulty sections so that healthy sections remain operational.
The most frequent electrical fault is the Line to Ground (L-G) fault. This occurs when two conductors make contact with each other during high winds. On average, this fault occurs between 15-20 percent of the time in wind turbines, usually occurring when they sway in strong gusts of air.
Shunt faults are more serious electrical errors that can happen when one or both phase conductors fail to maintain their insulation strength. There are various types of shunt faults, both balanced and unsymmetrical in nature.
Fouls can occur in the nacelle of a wind turbine or nearby areas. The nacelle is often the site where fires start and houses the generator and other mechanical components – making it an especially hazardous location to work in. Once started, these fires can become very serious affairs quickly.
Mechanical Fault
Lightning striking a wind turbine blade can ignite its high heat, potentially leading to fires that spread quickly and destroy either the farm itself or its environment. Such fires should never be ignored; they pose an immense danger and should never be underestimated.
Recently in Texas, a field engineer captured video of lightning striking a wind turbine blade and creating rings of smoke.
The video also depicts a burning blade fragment draped over the turbine nacelle, an indication that the fire has spread beyond just its blade.
Experts will examine the area where the fire began to determine if there was an electrical or mechanical malfunction that caused it. If an electrical fault is confirmed, transformers in the nacelle – which convert energy into voltage – may have been the initial ignition source.
Other potential causes of fire in a turbine include flammable oil and plastics around machinery and electrical wires inside the nacelle. Furthermore, there is a braking system inside that generates excessive friction and heat that could ignite.
The age and location of a wind turbine can contribute to an increased risk of fire occurring. Older machines may be less reliable and rust-prone, while more modern models boast greater sophistication.
Recent studies suggest older turbines are more vulnerable to electrical faults than newer models due to inadequate maintenance and unreliable wiring.
Another factor that could increase the fire danger is corrosive oils in turbine components. These oils deteriorate over time, especially in hot and dry climates.
Corrosive materials can also cause a fire to spread and damage the nacelle or other parts of a wind turbine, leading to downtime or even the total destruction.
The wind power industry must take the necessary precautions to safeguard their wind farms from fire hazards. This may involve installing fire suppression systems to keep fires under control and employing better maintenance practices that will keep turbines running longer.
Maintenance Issues
Wind turbines are a renewable source of energy that requires regular upkeep to stay operational. This includes inspecting blades, bearings, gearboxes and generators to guarantee they’re all functioning optimally.
But even though these machines are designed for long service life, they still may experience premature failures. Parts such as bearings, blades and gearboxes deteriorate over time and this leads to unscheduled stoppages which cost the operator money in lost revenue. Furthermore, repair or replacement of these large components can be extremely expensive.
Due to this, the wind industry is striving to introduce new technologies that will help reduce the number of turbines that catch fire. One such solution includes installing smoke alarms inside the turbine nacelle and fire suppression systems which quickly douse flames with water or foam.
Researchers have suggested that manufacturers may need to take measures to reduce the risk of wind turbines catching fire, including installing lightning protection systems, non-combustible hydraulic and lubricant oils and heat barriers. Additional measures include installing new monitoring systems which will constantly check on machinery condition and avoiding using combustible materials.
Research indicates that older turbines may pose greater fire risks because they lack the technology required to prevent fires. Furthermore, some of their blades may be made from fibreglass which is highly flammable and could burn workers.
The study also notes that wind turbines are a relatively new technology, so there isn’t much information about their operation or maintenance. Therefore, it’s essential to follow manufacturer recommendations and schedule maintenance regularly in order to keep these machines functioning optimally. Furthermore, having reliable safety and inspection software is necessary in order to monitor your wind farm’s performance and dependability.
Hi, I’m David. I’m an author of ManagEnergy.tv where we teach people how to save energy and money in their homes and businesses.
I’ve been a writer for most of my life and have always been interested in helping people learn new things. When I was younger, I would write short stories for my classmates and teach them how to do math problems.
I love traveling and have been lucky enough to visit some fantastic places around the world.
