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A very simple argument constructed from four points 1) Wind turbines are machines that are prone to mechanical failure. 2) When they fail they can Cause Fires and throw oil and debris for hundreds of metres. 3) Wind Turbines have a height of 120m and spin at 300km/h, therefore you don't want to fly helicopters around them. 4) The power transmitted by these generators is carried by above ground transmission wires, that are the cause of bushfires in high wind situations. My argument is that, in Victoria, these generating facilities should not be constructed in fire prone areas, or next to forested areas. Imagine trying to fight the Redesdale/Sidonia fire on February 7th 2009 if there were 34 turbines in Sidonia and 50 turbines in the McHarg Ranges? With the winds and smoke, the CFA would have been unable to use water bombing aircraft. If the machines had caught fire, it would have added to the complexity of the fire as these devices cannot be extinguished, all you can do is stand around and put out the fires that are started by the flaming oil and debris. There have been no finalised plans, however the power lines for the Sidonia project are planned to go through the remnant vegetation of Gooch's Lane, parallel to the Cobaw State Forest. The following links demonstrate the tendency for these generators to cause fires within Australia and overseas: Australian Experience:January 22nd 2006 Lake Bonney Wind Turbine Fire due to electrical failure during a heat wave more here. February 3rd, 2009 Cathedral Rocks Wind Turbine Fire due to unknown causes, possibly lightning strike
International Experience: March 6th 2009 Noble New York. The Altona wind energy facility which went on line in early 2009 lost a turbine due to collapse. The project consists of 65 GE 1.5 MW turbines. No explanation for the collapse has been released. The turbine caused a fire when the nacelle hit the ground. New York State failure December 2nd 2008 Nebraska. A 262 foot wind tower northwest of Bloomfield Nebraska burst into flames. Officials say three men were injured in the fire. One was sent by Life Flight to Sioux City with extensive burns. March 28th 2008 Ewington Minnesota March 10th 2008 California January 17th 2008 Mt Storm, West Virginia. A fire started during routine maintenance of a turbine. October 3rd 2007 Garner, Iowa February 27th, 2007 Dodge Centre, Rochester US (this article no longer available but here is the text) "Lightning hits wind turbine, starts fire" From staff reports DODGE CENTER -- A wind turbine near Dodge Center lost one of its blades Friday night when lightning struck it and started a fire. The Rochester Fire Deparment was called to the fire because it had the closest long-ladder truck. Its 100-foot ladder was used to help extinguish the fire at 11:15 p.m. One rotor blade was lost, but fire officials were uncertain if the fire reached the generator portion of the device, which could compound the loss.
February 23rd 2007 (Ireland) October 2006 Taiwan due to an overheated generator December 24th 2005 Nissan factory Wearside UK West Park UK Review including turbine failures and debris being thrown 500mtrs. Bethany Community Review covers most issues including the impacts of fire and failure
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