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Fundamental of Safety Engineering and Risk Management Concept
Discuss safety in
wind energy
In any engineering design and installation, safety is of
paramount importance. In the case of wind energy, the height of installation of
the wind turbine and intensity of the wind direction should be adequately
designed for. The height of a wind turbine places it at risk for lightning
strikes, which can damage and destroy the turbine's circuitry and structure.
Turbines must have some sort of grounding and surge protection system in place
in order to withstand the strikes. The magazine "North American
Windpower" published an article in 2007
detailing new surge-protection device standards issued by the Underwriters
Laboratory and noted that not only can surges spread from the hit turbines to
transformers, but fires caused by strikes can start inside the turbine. These
internal fires are difficult to put out [Cited 2012 Sep. 30]. Available from http://www.livestrong.com/article/157216-wind-turbine-safety-issues.
Also wind turbines must be sturdy and able to withstand
strong wind and storms, as well as regular motion when in use, especially if
near populated areas. Unfortunately, sometimes they're not built as well as
they should be. The "Guardian"
newspaper in the UK reported in 2008 on a number of turbines that broke and
threw blades onto houses, farms and even back into the turbine tower itself.
The article noted that a â turbulent atmosphere
may cause cracks to form in a turbine's structure [Cited 2012 Sep. 30].
Available from http://www.livestrong.com/article/157216-wind-turbine-safety-issues.
Given the large expansion planned in wind turbine
construction it can be expected that the potential for accidents will increase
and that some of these will involve workers and the public.
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