Wind farm warning
With regard to large-scale wind generation in the UK, everyone should be fully aware that the messages given in warning notices, which are placed at entrances to wind farms, should be rigorously adhered to — especially in regard to lightning storms!
To ignore the warning about lightning is, in effect, dicing with death!
During an electrical storm the last place you should be walking is through a wind farm, not just in fear of the possibility of debris falling due to a direct strike to a wind generator blade or tower (which in itself is perilous enough), but also to the potentially dangerous nature of the ground upon which you would be walking.
Anyone foolish enough to be walking on this ground at the time of a strike will have a voltage (potential) difference appearing between their feet, which could prove fatal!
The situation is worse for animals whose legs are spaced further apart, such as dogs or sheep.
Indeed, horses and cattle are at even greater risk due the spread of their legs. The reader should be fully aware that cows have been found dead near electricity pylons due to rise-of-earth- potential situations.
Now wind generators are no different in this respect, and it can be argued they pose even a greater threat, due to their very nature, being built on high exposed ground, which usually has high resistivity.
Dave Haskell
Golygfa Frenni Fawr
NewchapelRoad
Boncath
8 October 2008
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Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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