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Small Wind Factsheets
Small Wind Systems and
Public Safety
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Some of the public safety questions asked
about small wind turbines concern the structural integrity of
the tower, what happens during power outages or icing conditions
[cold climates only], and the question of whether the tower represents
an "attractive nuisance."
How reliable is the
structure?
The U.S. has about 15-MW of nameplate capacity
of small wind turbines - over 2,000 installations - with an excellent
track record for safety. Following manufacturer specifications
for the installation will ensure that the footings are adequate
to anchor the structure. A building permit is also required, and
the structure must meet local building and safety requirements.
What happens if there
is a power outage?
In the event of a power outage, small wind
systems connected to the utility grid are designed to detect the
outage and automatically shut down, so that there is no danger
to anyone trying to repair utility lines. Stand-alone systems
are connected only to the home's electrical service, posing no
risk to anyone trying to repair utility lines in the event of
a power outage.
What about icing?
Unlike tree branches, wind turbine blades
are designed to withstand a heavy load of ice. And when ice builds
up on the blades, they simply don't "fly" any more - they loose
their aerodynamic properties. In fact, an ice-covered rotor will
turn so slowly (at only several revolutions per minute) that there
is no danger of ice being "thrown" off. Typically, the ice melts
and falls - straight down - to the base of the tower.
Can people get hurt
climbing the tower?
Windmill towers pose no more of an "attractive
nuisance" than any other climbable pole or tower in the neighborhood,
including water towers, cell phone towers, etc. Some wind turbine
tower designs have no available hand- or footholds so they simply
can't be climbed. Towers which need to be climbed for repair work
can be equipped with devices to prevent falls, and some towers
are designed to be lowered so that any maintenance or repair work
can be done on the ground.
Do small turbines interfere
with electronic devices?
Modern windmill blades are made of wood,
fiberglass, or other composite materials which do not interfere
with electronic devices.
Do small wind turbines
need to be lit?
The FAA doesn’t require lights on
structures less than 200 feet tall, and prohibits both commercial
and small private aircraft pilots from flying lower than 1,000
feet. Pilots cannot drop lower than 500 feet when approaching
a runway. The only time a small wind turbine would be affected
by FAA regulations is if it were proposed to be sited adjacent
to an airport.
Many common structures that are
taller than small wind turbines – transmission line poles,
for example – are not required to be lit.
However, turbine owners may need to alert crop duster pilots to
their installations in certain regions.
References
Mick Sagrillo, "Advice
from an Expert"
FAA Advisory Circular AC70/7460-1K
Other Fact Sheets Available
on Small Wind Energy:
What is Small
Wind?
How Much Noise Do Small Wind Turbines Make?
Do Small Turbines Kill Birds?
What About Visual Impact?
How Do Small Wind Systems Affect Property
Values?
The Economics
of Small Wind
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