UFO turbine results are in - ET is innocent!

Antaletriangle · 02-10-2009, 11:13 AM

http://www.louthleader.co.uk/news/UF...-in.4961891.jp

Surprise,surprise,so all of the sightings by hundreds of residents of lights and octopus lights around the windfarm area are not connected to this or were these people all hyped out of their minds...

Published Date: 09 February 2009
Tuesday 7am -

The damage to one of Ecotricity's wind turbines on Fen Lane, Conisholme, was not caused by a UFO a report has concluded.

Speculation reached fever pitch after a the Louth Leader reported a number of local people seeing strange lights in the sky in the vicinity of the wind park.

But, following several weeks of forensic examination of the turbines components the manufacturer, Enercon, has today ruled out 'collision' as a possible cause.

An interim report has concluded that bolts securing the blade to the hub of the turbine failed due to 'material fatigue'.

The bolts used to attached the blade to the hub of the turbine exhibited classic signs of fatigue failure.

Enercon have ruled out bolt defect due to the nature of the failure and the investigation is now looking into 'supporting components' - those parts on either side of the bolts.

If one of these supporting components failed it would induce stress in the bolts beyond their design limits and cause failure. Further tests are currently being carried out.

Managing Director of Ecotricity, Dale Vince said: "We hope to have the results back in a few weeks. It's a job of separating cause from effect now - we can see which bits are broken, but which bits failed first is the bit that needs forensic investigation - it's all clever stuff"

Ecotricity continue to liaise closely with The Health & Safety Executive and East Lindsey council.

A thorough inspection of all the turbines at Fen Farm Wind Park has been carried out.

Ecotricity, Enercon and the HSE have no concerns with the ongoing safety of this, or any other, wind park.

See Wednesday's paper for more details and people's views.

What do you think to the conclusion? Email faye.preston@jpress.co.uk or call 01507 353200

02-10-2009, 11:22 AM

Well that "explains" *ahem* the missing blade- what about the bent one that was still attached?

Antaletriangle · 02-10-2009, 11:29 AM

Well this is it ain't it.
Are they referring to the missing blade here-there's no mention of it-no-one could find it then there was a report talking about the blade being found beneath the turbine?All sounds dodgy to me from the outset.I understand that material fatigue is a very reasonable reason for this but there are other muddy areas to be considered in this.

Swanny · 02-10-2009, 11:38 AM

No such thing as UFO's

Antaletriangle · 02-10-2009, 11:59 AM

It's all in my head this caper-all of these pilots and 'responsible people' are disillusioned-they don't know what they're talking about

Egg · 02-10-2009, 12:32 PM

Add to this that the only flying Taranis prototype was in the Falklands being test flown is a head scratcher.

02-10-2009, 11:13 AM	#1
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	UFO turbine results are in - ET is innocent! http://www.louthleader.co.uk/news/UF...-in.4961891.jp Surprise,surprise,so all of the sightings by hundreds of residents of lights and octopus lights around the windfarm area are not connected to this or were these people all hyped out of their minds... Published Date: 09 February 2009 Tuesday 7am - The damage to one of Ecotricity's wind turbines on Fen Lane, Conisholme, was not caused by a UFO a report has concluded. Speculation reached fever pitch after a the Louth Leader reported a number of local people seeing strange lights in the sky in the vicinity of the wind park. But, following several weeks of forensic examination of the turbines components the manufacturer, Enercon, has today ruled out 'collision' as a possible cause. An interim report has concluded that bolts securing the blade to the hub of the turbine failed due to 'material fatigue'. The bolts used to attached the blade to the hub of the turbine exhibited classic signs of fatigue failure. Enercon have ruled out bolt defect due to the nature of the failure and the investigation is now looking into 'supporting components' - those parts on either side of the bolts. If one of these supporting components failed it would induce stress in the bolts beyond their design limits and cause failure. Further tests are currently being carried out. Managing Director of Ecotricity, Dale Vince said: "We hope to have the results back in a few weeks. It's a job of separating cause from effect now - we can see which bits are broken, but which bits failed first is the bit that needs forensic investigation - it's all clever stuff" Ecotricity continue to liaise closely with The Health & Safety Executive and East Lindsey council. A thorough inspection of all the turbines at Fen Farm Wind Park has been carried out. Ecotricity, Enercon and the HSE have no concerns with the ongoing safety of this, or any other, wind park. See Wednesday's paper for more details and people's views. What do you think to the conclusion? Email faye.preston@jpress.co.uk or call 01507 353200 Last edited by Antaletriangle; 02-10-2009 at 11:15 AM.

02-10-2009, 11:22 AM	#2
Steve_G Guest Posts: n/a	Re: UFO turbine results are in - ET is innocent! Well that "explains" ahem the missing blade- what about the bent one that was still attached?

02-10-2009, 11:29 AM	#3
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Re: UFO turbine results are in - ET is innocent! Well this is it ain't it. Are they referring to the missing blade here-there's no mention of it-no-one could find it then there was a report talking about the blade being found beneath the turbine?All sounds dodgy to me from the outset.I understand that material fatigue is a very reasonable reason for this but there are other muddy areas to be considered in this.

02-10-2009, 11:38 AM	#4
Swanny I dont need a label ! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Shire of Wilt Posts: 2,889	Re: UFO turbine results are in - ET is innocent! No such thing as UFO's

02-10-2009, 11:59 AM	#5
Antaletriangle Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.K. Posts: 3,380	Re: UFO turbine results are in - ET is innocent! It's all in my head this caper-all of these pilots and 'responsible people' are disillusioned-they don't know what they're talking about

02-10-2009, 12:32 PM	#6
Egg Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 727	Re: UFO turbine results are in - ET is innocent! Add to this that the only flying Taranis prototype was in the Falklands being test flown is a head scratcher.