Monday, August 20, 2012

Crucial Observations to Maintain Wind Turbine Safety

By Chloe Gib


The search for cheaper and reliable energy led to exploration into other different sources. A number of natural resources were discovered and they helped to solve this power deficit problem. Wind turbine safety procedures need to be observed to safeguard human life from being affected unnecessarily. By following the regulator's recommendations, the chances of accidents can be drastically reduced.

Most of the mishaps reported in the sector occur during three stages, namely, transportation, installation and maintenance periods. The structure is also vulnerable if it has manufacturing defects that makes it weak. Strong winds are likely to cause such weaknesses to lead to a total failure. Rotor blades are also likely to come off due to the force exerted on them by strong winds.

Other areas like moving parts within the system can generate enough heat to start a fire due to the pressure they have to endure. If for example the lubrication process fails, the bearings gain heat which can develop into a fire if operation is not stopped. Regular maintenance is useful for identifying such weak spots that can possibly degenerate into something more serious.

Whenever wind turbine tools are in use, the correct application for each tool is essential to ensure that regulations are complied with. Regular appraisal procedures need to be conducted to ascertain if there are weaknesses within the system. Points of weaknesses are then noted and rectified to reduce the risk exposure to everyone involved.

The enormous speed that wind energy equipment operates at creates a lot of force on parts like the blades and bearings. Constant movement makes the structure to vibrate, which can weaken some areas over time. Such weaknesses can lead to formation of cracks later on. Cracks expose parts of the system that can rust when water seeps in, which weakens it even further.

Performing regular checks is a useful step for finding areas that are likely to develop into serious problems. Small crevices that fail to be repaired soon enough can grow bigger and cause serious damage later. Cracks are likely to make moving parts like the rotor blades to break off and endanger the lives of those who are around. This is one of the reasons why regulators discourage settlement close to working power generators.

When considering wind turbine safety, following the recommended procedures set by regulators is key. This, coupled with a regular maintenance schedule can help lower the risk of accidents by a significant margin. By identifying potential trouble spots early, there is room to rectify the faults before damage occurs.




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