Wind farms vs. neighbors - Solar, Wind and Land: Conflicts in Renewable Energy Development - page 40

either—in fact, some have suggested that the carbon ibers increasingly
used in commercial wind turbines to make them stronger and lighter also
makes them more conducive and more susceptible to lightning strike. 117
Mechanical failures within a turbine's braking systems or other components
account for most other ires. A wind project's transformers and other infra-
structure can also catch ire on occasion, posing similar risks.
Because wind turbines tower high above the ground and are exposed to
the elements, extreme weather other than lightning can also cause turbines
to catch ire. In 2001, a highly publicized wind turbine ire occurred in
Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, Scotland, during a major storm involving winds
of up to 165 miles per hour. 118 The turbine, manufactured by Vestas, appar-
ently had been shut of in anticipation of the storm and was not rotating
when the ire broke out. 119 Nonetheless, large pieces of burning debris blew
of of the turbine and onto the ground. Fortunately, no signiicant ground
ire erupted as a result.
This incident, which was captured on video and downloaded thousands
of times, likely would not have occurred in the absence of such extreme
winds. However, multiple wind turbine ires in Germany and the United
States occurred in the months following the Scotland ire in far less windy
conditions. 120 Although wind turbine ires are relatively rare, developers can
do some things to mitigate ire risks associated with wind farms, including
proper turbine maintenance and the use of turbine ire suppression systems.
Newer turbine models also tend to be less prone to ire.
Conlicts with various other neighboring land uses
Incredibly, the issues described in this chapter constitute only a fraction of
the wide array of conlicts that renewable energy developers can encounter
with neighboring land uses. For instance, soil erosion resulting from a wind
project's access roads or other facilities can conceivably cause stormwater
looding on nearby land. Truck traic during wind farm construction can
permanently damage roads. Wind turbines can even distract travelers on
the highway, causing traic accidents when drivers gawk at the gigantic
structures as they pass them along the road. And the following chapter
focuses on clashes with one particular category of neighbors—competing
wind energy developers—and suggests that disputes with these neighbors
require special policy attention in the global efort to generate more clean,
renewable energy from wind.
As wind energy development continues its rapid proliferation across
the globe, the list of potential conlicts between onshore wind farms and
their neighbors will only grow. Landowners, developers, and policymakers
should thus be careful to consider unique characteristics or land uses
situated near a proposed wind farm when progressing through the planning
and development process. Simple thoughtfulness and foresight can help to
prevent future problems from arising.