Mammadov N.S.
SAFETY IN THE OPERATION OF WIND TURBINES: ENSURING RELIABILITY AND PROTECTION *
Аннотация:
wind power is an important source of renewable energy, but successful operation of wind turbines requires strict adherence to safety measures. This article examines the safety issues associated with the operation of wind power plants. Three main types of wind turbine safety are considered: fire safety, electrical safety and mechanical safety. The article presents a wind turbine fire suppression system. This article also emphasizes the importance of preparing for emergencies and being prepared to respond effectively. Strict adherence to safety measures is essential to ensure reliable operation of equipment and protection of personnel, as well as the continued development of wind power as a clean energy source.
Ключевые слова:
renewable energy, wind turbine, safety precautions, reliability, sustainability, wind speed
DOI 10.24412/2712-8849-2024-776-883-888
When constructing both small and large wind turbines, safety is a priority issue. This includes ensuring fire safety, electrical safety and mechanical stability of the wind turbine. Let's look at each aspect in more detail.
Fire safety. Although wind turbine fires are rare, their consequences can be catastrophic, resulting in severe equipment damage, power outages and significant property losses. The causes of fires in wind turbines can be various factors, such as a short circuit in the generator windings, changes in wind speed and rotor speed, lightning strikes, failure of protective mechanisms, technical failures or malfunctions in the generators. As a result of fires, lubricants, oils, paper insulation of generator windings and insulation of wires at the generator output ignite. All these flammable materials are located in the generator at a considerable height, usually over 20-30 meters. Fighting fires at this height poses a major challenge due to the limitations of the water jet, which often does not reach the top of the unit, making the extinguishing process difficult. Lightning damage does not always cause fires, sometimes it damages the blades or disrupts the generator, which can cause a voltage surge at the generator output. It takes 2 to 9 months to replace or repair one wind turbine, which means a loss of electricity for consumers. The frequency of lightning strikes depends on the location, size and geographical features of the wind turbine. To protect against lightning strikes, it is necessary to ground all main conductive parts, including the nacelle and the generator housing. Each wind turbine must be equipped with fire extinguishing pumps, providing sufficient power to ensure that the water jet reaches the tips of the wind turbine blades. It is also recommended to install fire escapes inside the tower to provide access to firefighters and develop an automatic fire extinguishing system using various types of fire extinguishers, which will ensure prompt fire extinguishing [1-5].
The human factor plays a significant role in the occurrence of fires in wind turbines. It is most often associated with insufficient care and incorrect actions of operating personnel during preventive maintenance and inspections. When inspecting wind turbines, personnel should pay attention to oil spills inside the unit, the casing of cables made of plastic, rubber, the condition of the bearings, the tightness of the shaft rotation, and check the mechanisms for the presence of sparking or flammable material. The use of modern telecommunication systems that can monitor the condition of a wind turbine and transmit information to the control center can significantly reduce the risk of fires due to human factors or equipment malfunctions. These systems provide continuous monitoring and warning of any potential problems, which helps to quickly respond to them and prevent possible accidents (figure 1).
Such systems typically monitor parameters such as oil and water temperatures, lack of gas at critical locations, vibration levels, changes in noise levels and wind turbine operating conditions. It is clear that many wind turbine manufacturers supply their products abroad, where it is necessary to call specialized specialists for repairs and maintenance. However, training of operating personnel plays a key role in ensuring the fire safety of wind turbines [6-9].
Номер журнала Вестник науки №7 (76) том 1
Ссылка для цитирования:
Mammadov N.S. SAFETY IN THE OPERATION OF WIND TURBINES: ENSURING RELIABILITY AND PROTECTION // Вестник науки №7 (76) том 1. С. 883 - 888. 2024 г. ISSN 2712-8849 // Электронный ресурс: https://www.вестник-науки.рф/article/16732 (дата обращения: 20.05.2025 г.)
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