Resource Library Category: Safety
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Documents presented here are not the product of nor are they necessarily endorsed by National Wind Watch. This resource library is provided to assist anyone wishing to research the issue of industrial wind power and the impacts of its development. The information should be evaluated by each reader to come to their own conclusions about the many areas of debate.
Permitting Setbacks for Wind Turbines in California and the Blade Throw Hazard
Author: Larwood, Scott
Prepared for the California Wind Energy Collaborative
By Scott Larwood, University of California, Davis
June 16, 2005
Download the paper.
Download the presentation.
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Lightning Hazard Reduction at Wind Farms
Author: Kithil, Richard
Go to: “Lightning Hazard Reduction at Wind Farms”
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Incidents and images of damage to wind energy converters
Author: Alt, Helmut
“According to estimates by the German insurance association, GDV, a total of € 30 million were paid in premiums for insuring the wind machines compared to almost € 45 million paid in damages for plant outages (this corresponds to around 0.3 ct/kWh).”
From “The economics of wind energy within the generation mix” (”Energiewirtschaftliche Bedeutung der Windenergie im Stromerzeugungsmix”) [click to download]
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Plywood wind turbine blades?
Author: Oike, Yuki
These wind turbines are placed in Izu peninsula of Shizuoka prefecture, which is about 120 km from Tokyo.
Two turbines were destroyed by lightning in April.
A member of Higasi-izu town assembly took these photos.
He said there was plywood in the blades (which can be see in the photos). In general it is said that wind turbine blades are made of fiber-reinforced polymer. But in fact these are made with plywood inside.
The turbines were made in Germany or Denmark (not Japan).
[The blades . . .
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Windmill Myths
Author: Advocates for Prattsburgh
MYTH # 1: These wind towers aren’t really THAT big.
Fact: Ecogen’s 1.5 MegaWatt (MW) turbines will be nearly 400’ high, 80’ higher than the Statue of Liberty from the water to the tip of the torch. UPC’s proposed turbines up to 3MW towers – designed for offshore, far from people – will be up to 440’ high, as tall as the pyramids of Egypt. They will be visible for MILES, dominating the landscape, with flashing lights 24 hours/day.
MYTH # 2: . . .
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Report of the Champagne County (Ohio) Wind Turbine Study Group
Author: Champaign County Wind Study Group
Table of Contents
Aesthetics
Blade Throw
Decommissioning
Economics
Environmental Impacts
FAA Lighting
Fire/Emergency Response
Ice Shed/Throw
Noise
Characteristics of Wind Turbine Noise
Effects of Wind Turbine Noise
Measurement of Wind Turbine Noise
Mitigation of Wind Turbine Noise
Road Infrastructure
Shadow Flicker
Telecommunications
Turbine Collapse
Vandalism
Download “Report of the Champagne County Wind Turbine Study Group”
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Local law governing wind energy facilities in the town of Hamlin, N.Y.
Author: Hamlin, N.Y., Town Board
Findings
Regulation of the siting and installation of wind turbines is necessary for the purpose of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of neighboring property owners and the general public.
Wind Energy Facilities represent significant potential aesthetic impacts because of their large size, lighting, and shadow flicker effects.
If not properly regulated, installation of Wind Energy Facilities can create drainage problems through erosion and lack of sediment control for facility sites and access roads, and harm farmlands through improper construction methods.
Wind Energy Facilities . . .
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Environment, New York, Property values, Regulations, Safety, Siting, Tourism
Comments to the Moresville Energy Project DEIS
Author: Western Catskill Preservation Alliance
In addition to the comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the large file below includes graphics and signed Declarations of Opposition to the Moresville Energy Project in the towns of Stamford and Roxbury, N.Y..
Download “Comments to the Moresville Energy Project DEIS” (large)
Download “Comments to the Moresville Energy Project DEIS” (small)
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Amendments to Calumet County, Wis., ordinance
Author: Calumet County, Wis., Board of Supervisors
These amendments concerning noise and setbacks from wind energy systems were approved into law on March 18, 2008. Includes thorough guidelines for pre- and post-construction noise measurements and estimates of impact from wind turbines.
“The audible sound emitted by Wind Energy System operations shall not be greater than 5 dBA above the background noise level (L90) for the quietest period of the day measured during the pre-build noise study.”
“No low frequency sound or infrasound from wind energy system operations shall be . . .
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Safety Regulations for Operators and Technicians
Author: Vestas Wind Systems
“Do not stay within a radius of 400m (1300ft) from the turbine unless it is necessary. If you have to inspect an operating turbine from the ground, do not stay under the rotor plane but observe the rotor from the front.”
“In case of a fire during an uncontrolled operation, do under no circumstances approach the turbine. Evacuate and rope off the turbine in a radius of minimum 400m (1300ft).”
View: “Vestas Safety Regulations for Operators and Technicians: V90-3.0MW/V100-2.75MW, page 3″
Download . . .