| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Wind turbines in a hurricane
Credit: Atlantic Highlands Herald, www.ahherald.com 25 September 2011 ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
If the BRSA builds its wind turbine, what will happen during a strong hurricane?
In a recent article, “Hurricane Irene and Its Impact on Wind Farms,” David Smith of Infigen Energy, co-owner of the Atlantic City wind farm, states, “Wind turbine blades… are designed to withstand the forecasted winds of Hurricane Irene, so we will not be removing and storing any blades.”
The BRSA wind turbine would stand at 386 feet with 118-foot blades that span an acre. At the height of the blades, storm winds are much stronger than at ground level. Irene was no longer a hurricane by the time it got here, and so Smith’s statement begs that questions be asked and answered concerning BRSA’s emergency plans during strong hurricanes.
Taking Smith at his word, a giant crane and knowledgeable crew would need to be quickly acquired to remove the blades for storage and then reinstall them once the storm has passed. Can this be accomplished on short notice? How massive are these cranes as far as trucking is concerned, and what precautions are needed to truck them on small local roads and bridges? If a crane cannot be quickly secured, what happens if a blade or blades come off or the tower collapses? How much will that cost ratepayers with each hurricane threat?
Given the close proximity to homes and the at-risk sewage infrastructure at BRSA, there is potential for serious damage if a strong hurricane makes landfall. This risk needs to be thoroughly addressed before the state, county, Union Beach and its neighboring towns allow the turbine to be delivered.
Bill Heller
Union Beach, NJ
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
| Wind Watch relies entirely on User Funding |
 (via Stripe) |
 (via Paypal) |
Share:
[ Short URL: https://wind-watch.org/news/?p=26353 ]
