Mister Floppy: Strong Winds Wiping Out (More) Ageing Wind Turbines

As they get older, wind turbines have a hard time keeping it together. Hit ‘em with strong wind and the fun begins. Blades disintegrate, and chunks thereof relocate over vast distances - an exhilarating experience for anyone living, working or driving in the throw zone. Sometimes the entire hundred-tonne nacelle gets in on the action; … Continue reading Mister Floppy: Strong Winds Wiping Out (More) Ageing Wind Turbines

Tornado Terror: Giant Industrial Wind Turbines No Match For America’s Twisters

Wind power is described as the pinnacle of ‘distributed’ generation systems - watching 250m turbines being distributed far and wide by Cyclones, Typhoons and Hurricanes certainly gives that impression. Although, we’re not sure that wind acolytes really had disintegrating and self-immolating turbines in mind when they began mouthing off these things being spread from horizon … Continue reading Tornado Terror: Giant Industrial Wind Turbines No Match For America’s Twisters

Gravity Strikes Again: Ageing Wind Turbines Literally Falling To Pieces

Wind turbines were designed to capture subsidies, but they clearly weren’t designed to last. These things have suffered hundreds of ‘structural failures’ – where either 10-25 tonne blades are shredded or flung in all directions; or their 90-120m towers implode, unceremoniously delivering the 80-140 tonne nacelle to terra firma, with exhilarating effect. And, as these things get … Continue reading Gravity Strikes Again: Ageing Wind Turbines Literally Falling To Pieces

Safety Watch: Neighbours Learn to Dodge Flying Blades From Exploding Wind Turbines

In the last 20 years, the wind industry hasn't generated much power, but it's managed to clock up more than 230 fatalities, and 350 serious injuries according to the helpful collection of stats compiled by Scotland Against Spin available here: https://scotlandagainstspin.org/turbine-accident-statistics/ Routine self-immolation, total collapse and ‘component liberation’ events are among the leading causes of the (wholly … Continue reading Safety Watch: Neighbours Learn to Dodge Flying Blades From Exploding Wind Turbines

New Olympic Sport: Wind Turbine Blade Sets Giant Javelin Throw Record

The trade euphemism for turbine blades flying in all directions is “component liberation”, an abuse of the English language designed to placate neighbours and passing motorists, living and traveling in the throw zone. With thousands more of these things being speared into closely settled rural communities, the risk of death and serious injury, only increases. … Continue reading New Olympic Sport: Wind Turbine Blade Sets Giant Javelin Throw Record