Why is it important to impose strict safety standards on wind turbines?

[FrodosPet]

Wind energy is a key component in renewable energy. But the industry and public authorities have a duty to make sure they are safely engineered and constructed.

[msongs]

1. because their owners kill more than 30,000 people a year while using them? oh wait that's another

product

[Travis_0004]

2. Alcohol? No wait, thats only 90,000

[BlueEye]

3. From the videos, it would appear that biggest risk is a blade failure, due to fire or otherwise.

I have also heard stories of heavy (potentially fatal) ice chucks getting pitched off the blades at high velocity during winter precipitation.

To me, the most basic solution is to keep the windmills away from dwellings and heavily travelled roads. This already seems to be the case 90% of the time. Nevertheless, responsible regulation is always appropriate, even with a power generation method with low inherent risk.

The only windmill farm that I can think of that could pose a problem is in Indiana on I-65 about 90 miles south of Chicago. There are windmills a hundred feet or so right off the highway. If one ever caught fire, they'd definitely have to shut the road down. I would guess the risk of that happening is very remote, however.

[progressoid]

4. 100 feet seems a little close.

I'd wager it is probably farther away than you think. If I remember correctly, here in IA they have to be at least 500 feet from a road or building. Not just for safety reasons, but also because buildings and irregular terrain create turbulence which makes them less efficient.

Of course regulations vary state to state.

[BlueEye]

7. You're right, I checked Google Maps and the closest one looked to be about 550 ft.

Probably still close enough to cause problems if one was having an emergency that might result in blade failure.

Makes sense about the turbulence though.

[Midnight Writer]

6. There is a new design that covers the blade inside a cone or funnel

The idea is that this cover will funnel more wind to the blade. Thus, the blade can be much smaller, lighter, and able to spin faster without losing stability. The cover will also help protect the blade from snow and ice, as well as providing some protection in case a blade flies off.

They are colored bright red or orange to discourage birds from entering them.

Picture a megaphone with the blades at the small end.

[BlueEye]

8. Wow, that is a very cool idea!!!

I look forward to seeing one.

[packman]

5. Regardless - still better than the alternative