January 6, 2024
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Understanding arc flash risk in wind turbine renewables

05 Jan 2024 | electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk

With the increasing use of wind turbines as a renewable energy source, it is important to address the potential risks associated with arc flash incidents. Electrical Safety UK, Deputy MD Paul Hopton highlights the additional considerations in a wind turbine environment and emphasises the consequences of arc flash accidents.

Let’s look at some of the accidents and incidents that have been reported:

  1. In Palm Springs, California in 2000 an operator suffered severe burns from electrical fault in a fuse holder. Hospitalised for 10 days with second- and third-degree burns.
  2. In Byron, California in 2003 an employee was performing a manual switching operation on a pad-mounted electrical transformer. An explosion occurred during the switching operation. The employee died the following day from injuries sustained in the explosion.
  3. In Schaller, Iowa in 2004 firemen climbed a 213 feet tower to rescue two electrical workers following a fire. Fire started following refit and testing of components.
  4. In Norfolk, England in 2008 A worker was treated in hospital for burns caused by an electrical flash while working to repair the shore cables.
  5. In Minnesota, USA in 2008 a man was burned while working on a wind turbine. The man sustained a severe electrical burn on his left arm.
  6. In 2009, work was being carried out in the bottom power cabinet of a wind turbine in the United States. The individual was checking electrical connections when he came into contact with a busbar and an arc flash occurred, causing injury. The individual was hospitalised but later died of his injuries.
  7. In Alcala, Spain in 2009 two electrical fires were reported on the same day on a wind farm.
  8. In Pampilhosa Mountains, Portugal in 2009 one person killed and two injured in an electrical discharge. Two maintenance workers were electrocuted and badly injured after an incident with a high voltage line. The men suffered severe burns to their arms and legs.
  9. Outland Renewable Services were issued six citations for wilful safety violations after a wind farm technician suffered severe burns from an electrical arc flash on 20th 2010, at the Iberdrola Streator Cayuga Ridge South Wind Farm near Odell. The company faced penalties of $378,000. The citations were issued for exposing maintenance technicians to electrical hazards from the unexpected energisation of transformers in three wind turbine towers. They failed to ensure that technicians working in the towers applied their own isolation devices to switch gear at ground level. The injured worker suffered third degree burns to his neck, chest and arms, and second degree burns to his face as a result of an arc flash that occurred when a transformer was unexpectedly energised by another worker.
  10. In Nova Scotia, Canada in 2010 there was an electrical fire in a panel.
  11. In Shangyi County, Northern China in 2011 three wind workers killed while installing and testing a wind turbine. One worker suffered an electric shock in the nacelle. The other two workers were badly injured from the resulting fire and died later in hospital.
  12. In Nova Scotia, Canada in 2011 an electrical problem was the likely cause of a fire that completely burnt out a turbine.

Arc Flash Hazards in Wind Turbines:

Arc flash hazards in wind turbines are similar to those in other electrical installations. However, there are specific factors that need to be considered in a wind turbine application:

Remote Locations: Wind turbines are often located in remote areas, such as offshore or on higher ground, away from centres of population. This can pose challenges for emergency response, making it more difficult and slower to address arc flash incidents.

Restricted Access and Egress: The limited space within the turbine, combined with its height, can make access and egress challenging. In the event of an arc flash incident, escaping from a potential fire becomes more difficult due to these restrictions.

Fire Hazards: An arc flash event can potentially start a fire within the wind turbine. The difficulties in accessing and egressing the turbine further exacerbate the challenges of escaping from such fires.

High Incident Energy Levels: The connection of wind farms to the extra high voltage network results in high fault levels. Consequently, the incident energy levels associated with arc flash incidents in wind turbines can be relatively high.

Mitigating Arc Flash Risk:

To mitigate the risk of arc flash incidents in wind turbines, it is crucial to conduct an Arc Flash Study. This study helps identify potential hazards and provides valuable insights into the necessary preventive measures. If you require assistance or more information on conducting an Arc Flash Study, our team at Electrical Safety UK can help.

Conclusion:

As wind turbines continue to play a significant role in renewable energy generation, it is important to address the risk of arc flash incidents. By recognizing the additional considerations in a wind turbine environment and taking necessary precautions, we can ensure the safety of personnel working in or around wind turbines. Contact us at Elec Safety for expert guidance and assistance in conducting an Arc Flash Study.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2024/01/06/understanding-arc-flash-risk-in-wind-turbine-renewables/