Selected Wind Energy News
Power failure during high winds caused giant £2million wind turbine to spin uncontrollably and collapse
A £2m wind turbine was knocked over by the wind after raging storms and 50mph gales made the blades on the 300ft rotary turn at twice their normal speed. The turbine, which was almost the height of St Paul’s Cathedral, was torn apart by the raging winds and eventually collapsed to the ground in February. Families in the nearby village of Gilfach Goch, South Wales, said the noise sounded like ‘thunder and lightning.’ An investigation, launched by manufacturer Nordex, found . . .
RWE to dismantle wind farm after safety concerns
RWE’s Jüchen A 44n wind farm in Germany is to be dismantled with a new 27MW project constructed on the site and connected to the grid by 2023. The Jüchen A 44n wind farm consists of six wind turbines. One of the turbines (turbine number 4) was shut down in August last year when damage to the tower was detected. Shortly after, the remaining five turbines were shut down as a precautionary measure and comprehensive safety measures put in place. . . .
Old windfarm blades causing problems in Nolan County
Sweetwater, Texas – The wind farms in Nolan County brought big bucks into the area, but with those turbines needing new blades after a few years, finding a place to store the old blades was becoming a challenge. However, one company approached offered a possible solution and the city of Sweetwater was all ears the company would store the old blades in two facilities and then break the fiberglass blades down and sell them to other companies. But, according to Miesha . . .
With Woodbury County Board approval, setback distance for wind turbines will increase
SIOUX CITY – More than 100 people attended the final reading of a Woodbury County ordinance revision to increase wind turbine setbacks. For three weeks in a row, many Woodbury County residents attended the Board of Supervisors meeting to speak in favor of changing the current commercial wind ordinance setback distances for residences from 1,250 feet to 2,500 feet. Some of those who spoke want larger setback distances, or completely ban commercial turbines. The supervisors approved the third and final . . .
Wind turbine catches fire, collapses after storms move through Custer County
OKLAHOMA CITY – A wind turbine in Custer County was nearly brought to the ground after it caught fire during a storm on Tuesday afternoon. The turbine was located near State Highway 47 and North 2300 Road. News 9 Storm Tracker Jeromy Carter was on the scene while crews assessed the damage. Currently, it is unclear how the turbine caught fire or if anyone was injured. This is a developing story, stay with News 9 for the latest updates.
Grandpa’s Knob wind project not moving forward
Castleton – A controversial wind project will not go forward, according to an email from the developer to the Select Board, sent Monday. “After careful consideration we will not be moving forward with the Grandpa’s Knob Community Wind project,” stated Sam Carlson, speaking on behalf of Grandpa’s Knob Community Wind in the email. “We would like to thank the Select Board and Planning Commission members for their interest, professionalism and courtesy regarding this project. In addition, we are grateful to the . . .
MidAmerican cancels wind farm planned for Madison County
MADISON COUNTY, Iowa – MidAmerican has canceled a planned wind farm project in Madison County. The utility company says it canceled the Arbor Hill project, sharing the following statement with KCCI: “After evaluating the changing parameters in Madison County, including the reduction in the number of turbines we could construct as part of the agreement, MidAmerican has determined that we are unable to move forward with the project. “While the project in Madison County won’t proceed, we have proudly partnered with . . .
Wrangling over renewables: Counties push back on Newsom administration usurping local control
Kings County Supervisor Joe Neves guided his pickup to a stop next to a long line of chain-link fencing. On one side of a gravel road stood row after row of glinting solar panels. The automated mirrors pivot and turn, following the sun in its daily path across the Central Valley sky. Neves, a big man with a wispy Santa Claus beard, was showing off the county’s newest mega solar power project, still under construction on 1,600 acres. A state-of-the-art . . .
Horror images show wind turbine on fire as thick black smoke billows over Hull
A wind turbine is on fire with thick black plumes of smoke billowing over a large area of Hull. Humberside Fire & Rescue Service have been scrambled to the scene in Sutton Fields after receiving “multiple” calls. Social media users told how “arid black smoke” was “drifting east across the city”. The 410ft (125metre) tall turbine is located on Oak Road in the city. They said: “CONTROL – We are receiving multiple calls regarding a fire involving the wind turbine . . .
Blade falls off wind turbine in Gloucester
A spokesperson for Applied Materials on Dory Road said it is investigating what caused a 160-foot blade to fall off the wind turbine in the Blackburn Industrial Park sometime overnight Saturday to Sunday morning. The city announced Sunday evening Great Republic Drive had reopened to traffic that afternoon after the company assured it was safe to do so. No one was reported injured and the cause of the blade’s failure remains unknown. There was “no structural damage aside from the . . .
