November 6, 2013
Oklahoma

Turbine damaged in storm was left inoperable

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer | Enid News and Eagle | November 6, 2013 | enidnews.com

ENID, Okla. – A wind turbine officials said has produced 20-30 percent of the electricity used at Chisholm Trail Expo Center was damaged by Tuesday night’s storm and is inoperable.

Expo Center manager Steve Barnes said the turbine apparently was struck by lightning Tuesday night. Barnes notified the insurance company Wednesday, but said he has no damage figures yet. He expects an adjuster to look at the turbine in the next day or two.

“I didn’t realize the storm was as bad as it was last night,” Barnes said.

He was surprised to see the turbine, which stands 160 feet high had been struck. However, it is easy to see, he said.

“Those blades are made out of two pieces of metal and it just peeled it back like a banana. It definitely can’t be repaired and it must be replaced,” Barnes said.

Barnes has learned individual blades cannot be purchased. Turbine blades are manufactured in groups and all three blades must be replaced. The project was commissioned in 2012 and has been up just over a year, he said.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/11/06/turbine-damaged-in-storm-was-left-inoperable/