Wind Turbines

Since the turn of the millennium, the world has seen an enormous increase in wind parks providing the world with all the benefits of sustainable energy. At the same time the wind industry recognizes a growing concern with regards to fire safety in wind turbines.

Fire represents 10% – 30% of all accidents in wind turbines every year. The main causes of fire ignition in wind turbines are lighting strikes, electrical malfunction, mechanical malfunction, and hot work maintenance.

Once a fire is ignited in a wind turbine, the situation rapidly escalates because the high wind favoured by turbine locations enhances the supply of oxygen and, hence, the fire growth. In 90% of the cases, the fire leads to a total loss of the wind turbine, or at least a downtime that results in the accumulation of economic losses.

Designing a fire suppression system for wind turbine nacelles bring along some unique challenges:

• The fuel load (polymers, insulation, cables and oils) in a wind turbine nacelle is frequently high.
• Highly flammable materials inside the turbine nacelle is packed in close proximity to potential ignition sources.
• High winds and openings cause rapid escalation of starting fires
• The fire brigade cannot intervene because of the turbine height.

As an all-around supplier of fire suppression systems, GreenTech Fire Solutions offers tailored fire detection and suppression systems for wind turbines.

Every fire safety solution offered by GreenTech Fire is carefully reviewed based upon quality, durability, effectiveness, consequential damages, environment, personal safety and costs.