Nordex turbine collapse, Wales

[Mr Gus]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60390094

An investigation has been launched after a 337ft-tall (115m) wind turbine collapsed.

People who live nearby, said they heard a noise like thunder and a loud bang as the turbine fell in Gilfach Goch, Rhondda Cynon Taf, on Monday.

The giant turbine is one of 29 at the Pant y Wal wind farm overlooking the village.

A spokeswoman for wind turbine manufacturer Nordex said specialists were investigating the incident.

"No persons were injured. The only material damage that has occurred as a result of the incident is to the turbine itself," the spokeswoman said.

"All necessary safety measures have been implemented immediately after the incident.

"A team of local Nordex specialists with experts from Nordex main office are currently investigating the root cause of the incident together with the wind farm owner. As yet, no reliable statement can be made as to the underlying cause of the collapse."

The turbine appeared to have broken off about 60ft (18m) from its base. The tower had snapped in two and the blades were crushed in the fall.

The Pant-y-Wal windfarm began construction in 2011, with the first phase completed in 2013. Another eight turbines were added in 2015.

The turbines were manufactured by Nordex, based in Hamburg in Germany.

[nowty]

Its about 5km NW of ripple WT1.

[Mr Gus]

Shi-ite happens, however could not have come at a worse time when crowdfunding (it is insured though as per spec)
& yes, I looked twice at the names & thought, close valley (boyo)
That's the site that worker got killed on, so goodness only knows what work went on if bad blood occurred. (y'never know)

[AE-NMidlands]

Shi-ite happens, however could not have come at a worse time when crowdfunding (it is insured though as per spec)
& yes, I looked twice at the names & thought, close valley (boyo)
That's the site that worker got killed on, so goodness only knows what work went on if bad blood occurred. (y'never know)

I expect they are counting the bolts then...

[Moxi]

Based on the statement that it “snapped” 18 meters from the base my money would be on the flange weld and stress fatigue. When a weld goes it tends to unzip at a frightening rate whereas I’d expect vibration monitoring to have picked up on bolt relaxation.

It will be easy enough for them to find the cause the question is does this impact the rest of their fleet or is it a single statically event or is it linked to position and specific loadings in which case do other turbines share similar characteristics?

On the plus side no one got hurt it wasn’t too catastrophic to the environment and unlike some other power plant failures there’s no long term radio or chemo toxic issues.

Moxi

[Mr Gus]

The sun would have missed a headline if it was also used for grazing & it took one out, "Apocalypse Cow" ...were seasonal friesian temperatures to blame?
Investigators hoofing it across from Germany... etc

[Moxi]

Mr Gus

What about wind turbine cow-llapses in strange circumstances but manufacturer remains bullish!

Moxi

[nowty]

I think one thing it shows is how strong the foundations are.

As long as the existing piece is undamaged, i.e. the bolts just snapped, should be a relatively simple job to claim on insurance and stick another one on top.

[Moxi]

Hi Nowty,

Yes I would agree with you there, a quick check to ensure the anchors to the foundation haven't been stressed and the rebuild should be relatively swift and painless.

Moxi

[Mr Gus]

This is the time to pose the question as to what ratio of cost the groundwork are (per turbine) compared to the turbine itself & savings / re-use "down the line" for next gen turbines!?