Posted on 12/02/2008 4:41:51 PM PST by Robert A Cook PE
Residents were left fearing for their safety after shards of melting ice fell on homes and gardens from the blades of a giant wind turbine.
For about four hours people in King’s Dyke, Whittlesey, had to take cover as huge lumps – some two feet long – showered them from the 80 metre high tower on Saturday morning. (80 metres is about 270 ft)
Resident Peter Randall, whose son’s house lies a stone’s throw away from the turbine, said: “Somebody is going to get killed. There was huge lumps of ice shooting off and landing everywhere.
“No one wants to leave the house because they are frightened and worried about the ice falling. Freezing overnight temperatures had caused the ice to form and after frantic calls to Truro-based firm Cornwall Light and Power, which owns the turbine, the £2 million machine was eventually turned off.
Maria Clark, who owns King’s Dyke Karpets, based yards from the turbine, said: “It has been really frightening, the turbine has been stopping and starting all morning. The ice makes such a loud noise when it shatters we thought a bomb had gone off in the yard.
“It scared a customer away. They were in the shop when it landed and said they did not want to risk their car and ran out.” This is not the first time the turbine has courted controversy.
Last month The Evening Telegraph revealed how residents had lodged complaints with the environmental health department at Fenland District Council due to alleged noise pollution and had demanded the turbine’s removal.
The huge machine, which measures 80 metres at its hub and 125 metres when one of its three blades is vertical, was put up in August. (To compare how far these ice chunks might be flying: The top of the blade is at 416 ft, moving at 65 to 90 mph, throwing a 5-50 lb chunk of solid ice ??? feet. At that velocity - even small shards would be dangerous.)
A spokesperson for Cornwall Light & Power said: “We received a report of an ice shedding incident near our Whittlesey turbine on Saturday morning and immediately made arrangements for it to be switched off.
“The turbine will remain stopped until we have a clear understanding of what happened and any safety concerns have been fully addressed.
“Cornwall Light & Power is a reputable operator with a proven track record of generating clean electricity safely and we will act quickly to resolve this issue.
“In the meantime, any local residents who have concerns can call us directly on 01872 226930.”
MP for Cambridgeshire North East Malcolm Moss said the turbine should remain closed until a new risk assessment could be made, as the problem could also have national implications.
He said: “I had no idea this turbine was going up, it came out of the blue really and I am surprised they put one so close to homes and businesses.
“I assume that a risk assessment was put with the planning application, but if it was not then a full inquiry should be undertaken.”
Whittlesey councillor Ronald Speechley today said he would by lobbying the council to find out what can be done.
He said: “I have received a lot of complaints and the fact that ice has fallen off should be brought to light. This should have been thought of before they put the turbine so close to houses and the road.”
Siting restrictions for these huge structures are not trivial: they need to be very far apart (ten times their height is best from the nearest wind turbine), but the noise and vibration are significant irritation.
Though I am not the least worried about bird droppings. 8<)
This story was posted on Anthony Watts' wattsupwiththat web site.
Any guesses about the range of these ice chunks?
If a 1” ball of hail can damage a car, what will a ten lb sharp-edged shard do to your head? Or your roof?
Maybe Ted Kennedy knew what he was talking about, after all...
Maybe clean coal is gooder after all.
A few ice deaths are a small price to pay for going green. Consider them sacrifices to Gaia.
ML/NJ
special on hard hats in aisle 6......
A little ice for your Chivas?
LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
Does anyone THINK AHEAD?
The concern is not your safety, the concern is the environment.
bump for later
Does the “King’s Dyke Karpets” match the drapes?
Holey Smokes! It’s a great big ice-throwing trebuchet!
LOL.
Maybe the ice showers will deccorate Peterboros apalingly skippy Christmas tree, or was that in Peterbroro on Thames? Or Peterboro by Hastings?
The top of the blades on these things are 416 ft, moving at 65 to 90 mph and throwing a 5-50 lb chunk of solid ice ??? I don't need my physics book to know the force of impact is something lawyers live for. Darwin smiles.
WOW! No wonder Teddy doesn’t want these things 15 miles downwind of his house!!
The lesson here is to buy an electric car — only evil fossil fueled vehicles will be struck by the ice projectiles... </ s>
I had a 20-30lb slab nearly fall on my head in downtown Chicago. (I was looking, though, and staying away from the sides of the buildings).
These things should not be allowed in populated areas.
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