Falmouth Massachusetts Abandoned Wind Farm Poses Threat

A wind farm is an area of land with a group of wind turbines. Wind turbine accidents in multiple cases are caused by brake failures. The only thing stopping a wind turbine from spinning out of control are the brakes.

The Massachusetts courts shut down the Falmouth wind farm consisting of two Vestas V-82 type 1.65 megawatt wind turbines in June of 2017. They have been abandoned for going on four years.

Falmouth town zoning requires the removal after one year of no operation. The basic purpose and function of zoning is to provide safety and health of the entire community. Falmouth is ignoring the zoning laws which are created for the simple purpose of protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the people.

There are over 100 properties located within 1640 feet of both Falmouth wind turbines. The turbines are numbered (1) one and (2)two. (see map illustration)

The properties are located on one of the following residential streets: Ridgeview Drive; Ambleside Drive; Westmoreland Drive; and Brantwood Road. Seven properties are located to the east of West Falmouth Highway.

There are additional properties to the south of the turbine site. A vast majority of these dwellings are located off of Blacksmith Shop Road, primarily on the south side of the road. A few dwellings are located off of Durham Road and Durfee Drive.

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Vestas Health and Safety Instruction Manual for Falmouth Massachusetts Wind Farm

"This is evidenced by the Vestas Confidential Health and Safety Instruction manual for a Falmouth MA wind farm. Page 10 of this manual addresses the situation of a free-spinning “runaway turbine”. In that manual, instructions are for no one to be allowed within a 1640 feet (500 m) radius. (See Exhibit 2)"

1. Vestas, which was the largest wind turbine manufacturer on the planet for decades said this in their various safety manuals:

2. During normal operations “Do not stay within a radius of 400m (1300 ft) from the turbine unless it is necessary.”

3. In the case of “runaway operations,” run upwind and evacuate the area within at least 500 meters (1640 ft).

Blade tip speeds on these large operating turbines can reach over 160 mph. Vestas has recorded debris traveling 1600 feet from a tower during what turbine manufacturer General Electric (GE) calls “uncontrolled operation” and “component liberation.”

ATTACHMENT 1

WIND TURBINE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Vestas is one of the leading wind turbine manufacturers, with approximately 70% market share worldwide. Based on its prominence in the world market, the Vestas Safety Manual (32 pages) is a credible source of safety information. Nordex is another well know manufacturer of wind turbines. Its Safety Manual (130 pages) likewise is considered a credible source of information on the subject of safety.

On page 3 of the Vestas Safety Regulations for Operators and Technicians Manual, point # 2. – Stay and Traffic by the Turbine, Vestas personnel are instructed to stay away from a turbine by 400 m (1312 ft) unless it is necessary. Taken in context, this distance would apply to normal operating conditions. (See Exhibit 1)

Under abnormal operating conditions, Vestas expands this distance in consideration of the safety of its employees. This is evidenced by the Vestas Confidential Health and Safety Instruction manual for a Falmouth MA wind farm. Page 10 of this manual addresses the situation of a free-spinning “runaway turbine”. In that manual, instructions are for no one to be allowed within a 1640 feet (500 m) radius. (See Exhibit 2)

Click on the link below to see Exhibit 2, Vestas-Falmouth Confidential Health and Safety Instruction Date 2006-11-06

http://northeastwindmills.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/vestas-nordex.pdf

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