Wind Turbine Fire Suppression System
Wind turbines catch fire because highly flammable materials such as hydraulic oil and plastics are in close proximity to machinery and electrical wires. These can ignite a fire if they overheat or are faulty. Lots of oxygen, in the form of high winds, can quickly fan a fire inside a turbine.
It is nearly impossible to put out a wind turbine fire using manual fire-fighting methods. The height of turbines, potential of the blade still rotating, and the remote locations many wind farms make them difficult, if not impossible, for local fire departments to battle. Combustible materials in the wind turbine are also risk factors. Composite materials are found in the blades, nacelle walls, and an estimated 235 gallons of lubricating oil and other highly combustible liquids that are held in the nacelle. These oils and liquids are used in the gearbox, yaw, hydraulic system, blade pitch change mechanism, oil pumps, mechanical brake, and oil-filled transformer. All that is needed is an ignition source to spark a fire.
