"No one wants to leave the house"

Wind turbines and neighborhoods just don’t mix It seems. Would you want one of these to do this when a wind storm comes your way? Wind power has it’s pluses and minuses, just like any energy solution. But like a coal or nuclear power plant. They really shouldn’t be sited next to/within population areas. – Anthony


Wind turbine’s deadly ice shower

From the Peterborough UK Evening Telegraph

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.
Pictured, from left, are Peter Randall, Tyson Clark and Andrew Randall with Sophia Nesbitt (10) and Tia Clark (10) with some of the blocks of ice which have fallen off the nearby wind turbine in the McCains factory. (8GM1129018) Pi
Pictured, from left, are Peter Randall, Tyson Clark and Andrew Randall with Sophia Nesbitt (10) and Tia Clark (10) with some of the blocks of ice which have fallen off the nearby wind turbine in the McCains factory.
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.

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.

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.”

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JimB
December 4, 2008 2:07 pm

re: no ice problem on wind mills in southern CA: yet
Give it time.

Graeme Rodaughan
December 4, 2008 3:10 pm

.
CO2 was out jogging one nite, he heard a scuffle down an alleyway and without thinking of the consequences decided to go and investigate.
Down the alleyway he found Gaia slumped over in a pool of blood with a large knife sticking out of her back.
CO2 was very fond of Gaia, he pulled the knife from her back and threw it away in disgust, he then tenderly cradled her in his arms – accidentally getting blood all over his hands.
At that time, the IPCC and GISS showed up and slapped CO2 into handcuffs.
“Ha” the IPCC said, ” Caught Red Handed”.
“Your nicked”, said GISS.
“But it wasn’t me”. implored CO2.
IPCC and GISS laughed at CO2. “And who is going to believe you – we have all the evidence we need.”
A few bystanders had gathered, and one said “Find a rope, CO2s not fit to live.”
“Hang him high” the gathering crowd shouted.
And in the shadows, a figure strolled into the alley way, scooped up the knife, calmly cleaned it and put it away.
“Hmmm – proceeeding just as planned.” the figure remarked with a sly smirk as he strolled away.
Stephen – CO2 is innocent.

Editor
December 4, 2008 5:47 pm

B Kerr (11:23:06) :
> I have a black tulip growing between the haggis plants.
> Any offers for a black tulip bulb?
Not if it comes with the haggis!

Paul Shanahan
December 6, 2008 4:07 am

Saw this article this morning in the local papers here in sunny (but cold) Manchester.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1083949_home_turbines_a_waste

E.M.Smith
Editor
December 8, 2008 3:41 am

From Ric Werme (17:47:45) :
B Kerr (11:23:06) :
> I have a black tulip growing between the haggis plants.
> Any offers for a black tulip bulb?
Not if it comes with the haggis!
-end quote
Isn’t the bulb black from the mould? Don’t think I want a mouldy bulb….
And I didn’t know that haggis grew on plants – I thought it was a Scots dare? Isn’t all Scottish cooking based on a dare ?-) (I’m one of those sick puppies who actually likes haggis, and the pipes, and whiskey, and oatmeal, and mutton stew, and … must be the Gaelic part ‘o me ancestry muckin about…)
Noow joost how do I goo ’bout getten’ mesilf one o these herrrre haggis plants? It would be save me ( not to mention the sheep) a grrreat deal o fussin aboot ‘n worrrry!
Obligatory ON T. comment: Has anyone tried teflon coating blades for ice rejection? At least to keep the chunks smaller. Though frankly, I’d expect a wave system to be more productive and less trouble give all the coastline. See: http://www.oceanpowertechnologies.com/products.htm
for an example of one I find nicely done.

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