Traverse Wind Energy Center turbine bent and burning after storm

What happened

An onshore wind turbine at Traverse Wind Energy Center in central Oklahoma is reported to have suffered a structural failure during a severe thunderstorm, with reported wind gusts of around 30 miles per hour in the area. Video footage described in reporting showed the tower bent and folded, with the rotor area smouldering and fire involvement. The operator, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, was reported to have secured the site and said no personnel were near the turbine at the time, with no injuries reported.

The cause of the collapse was described as under investigation. Reporting is limited, and the turbine model, its age, the state of neighbouring turbines and any effect on site output or grid supply have not been reported. The exact date of the event is not clearly stated in the available reporting.

Contributing factors

Not established. The failure is reported to have occurred during a thunderstorm, but the technical cause had not been determined at the time of reporting.

Lessons learned

1. Tower collapse at a wind site during a thunderstorm requires prompt site securing to keep staff clear of unstable structures and burning debris.
2. A turbine collapse with rotor fire at height needs pre-planned defensive response from local fire services rather than active firefighting.
3. Structural failure can occur in storms with gusts around 30 miles per hour, so weather alone must not end the investigation.

More lessons on structural integrity and turbines, weather and external hazards, from every incident on the register.

Not yet known

• Turbine model and age
• Exact date of the event
• Effect on site output or grid supply
• State of neighbouring turbines

This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.

Source

Windpower Monthly (windpowermonthly.com)