What happens to the wind turbines when the winds are too strong?
If the wind speed continues to increase, all wind turbines have a maximum wind speed above which they cannot operate. This is called the turbine’s ‘furling speed’. If the wind speed exceeds the furling speed (for example in a hurricane) the turbine has to be shut down to prevent the blades getting damaged.
Do wind turbines stop if it’s too windy?
The most common reason that turbines stop spinning is because the wind is not blowing fast enough. Most wind turbines need a sustained wind speed of 9 MPH or higher to operate. Technicians will also stop turbines to perform routine maintenance or repairs.
Can wind turbines explode?
In December 2011, a wind turbine at the coastal town of Ardrossan in the UK spectacularly exploded during a storm.
At what wind speed do wind turbines shut down?
When the anemometer registers wind speeds higher than 55 mph (cut-out speed varies by turbine), it triggers the wind turbine to automatically shut off.
Do Tornadoes damage wind turbines?
The turbines weren’t damaged, as they’re designed to withstand gusts of up to 140 mph. It’s a safety measure for both the turbines and nearby buildings. Although a direct hit is bad news for man-made structures and tornadoes have damaged the machines in the past, but in most cases they’re made to weather the wind.
What happens to wind turbines in a hurricane?
Basically, the wind turbine is essentially in “survival mode,” waiting for the storm to subside, so it can safely go back to producing energy.
How do wind turbines turn without wind?
It could be just slightly windy; it only takes a slight breeze of to turn a turbine. Once a turbine is going, it can take hours to slow back down, and that could explain why they are turning without wind.
Has anyone been killed by a wind turbine?
In England, there were 163 wind turbine accidents that killed 14 people in 2011. Wind produced about 15 billion kWhrs that year, so using a capacity factor of 25\%, that translates to about 1,000 deaths per trillion kWhrs produced (the world produces 15 trillion kWhrs per year from all sources).
Why do wind turbines catch on fire?
Wind turbines catch fire primarily due to electrical or mechanical faults leading to ignition which spreads to the surrounding plastics and fibreglass nacelle. However, an electrical fault at these components can produce arc flashes or sparks, which can surround plastics in the cabinet and result in a fire.
Why do some wind turbines have 2 blades?
Two-bladed turbines cost less because they use fewer materials. The removal of one blade makes the rotor lighter, which in turn makes it possible to place the rotor on the downwind side of the tower. Two-bladed wind turbines are also easier to install.
Can a wind turbine survive a hurricane?
According to industry standards, any turbine (along with its substructure foundation) should be capable of resisting extreme loading with a certain chance of return period caused by storm winds, waves, and currents.
How heavy is an offshore wind turbine?
The dimensions of the three components of the wind turbine are: The towers weigh 167 tons, are 64 metres tall with a diameter of 5 metres. Each blade weight 12 tons and is almost 55m long.