Here in AU ...
Looks like the Future is here right now ...As Albo would say !! Fire erupts as $2.2m wind turbine catches alight
A wind turbine fire at in SA’s Mid-North has caused millions of dollars in damage as one turbine was destroyed.
Wind turbine fire at Redhill
CFS
Media Release
7 February 2024
Wind turbine fire at Redhill – 7 February 2024: A fire has destroyed a turbine and caused multiple spot fires at a wind turbine farm in Redhill, located in the state’s Mid North.
5 CFS crews are currently working to create an exclusion zone around the collapsing wind turbine. The firefighters are staying on top of spot fires created by falling debris where possible while remaining clear from the turbine collapse zone.
Firefighters are expected to remain on scene for some time while the head of the turbine continues to burn out. The estimated damage amount of the impacted turbine is $2.2 million.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
[Note to CFS: this particular unit will have generated excessive heat due to a bearing or gearbox failure, that heat has ignited the 1,000L of perfectly flammable gear oil and/or 100L or so of hydraulic fluid. Once the oil or fluid ignites, the fire spreads throughout the nacelle housing, aluminium ignites, as do the plastics inside the nacelle. The fire then spreads outwards across the hub and ignites the plastic composites in the 15-tonne blades.
Wind turbine destroyed in $2.2m fire as Redhill fire contained
The Advertiser
Leah Smith
7 February 2024
A wind turbine fire at a wind farm in SA’s Mid-North has caused millions of dollars in damage as one turbine was destroyed.
A fire at a Mid-North wind farm has left about 30ha of grass scorched and a $2.2m turbine destroyed. Six CFS crews were deployed to Clement Gap wind farm in Redhill to battle the blaze.
Owners Pacific Blue confirmed a “fire-related incident” affecting one of the turbines was identified by one of their maintenance crews about 8.30am.
An exclusion zone – created because of a potential collapse of the damaged turbine or falling debris and the hilly terrain, slowed firefighters tackling the blaze.
Spot fires created by fallen debris were contained while firefighters stayed clear of the collapse zone.
Pacific Blue confirmed no personnel sustained any injuries.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-07/pacific-blue-clements-gap-wind-farm-turbine-fire/103438850