Windfarm – Hydraulic System Malfunction

RHP have been involved in many wind farm claims. This particular claim was at a farm of 34 turbines, each rated at 500KW. Each turbine comprised a 35 metre high tower with a 41 metre diameter three bladed rotor. At the end of each blade is a tip, which is rotated to control the rotor speed – the rotor rotates at 30rpm.

During routine maintenance, the standard over speed test was carried out, but immediately afterwards there was a loud bang, excessive vibration and shaking of the tower. Tips of all three blades had broken off and were left hanging by the lightning conductors. The cause was loss of pre-fill nitrogen in the accumulator connected to the hydraulic braking system. As a result when braking took place, it did so very sharply.

The RHP mechanical engineer was assigned to the case and agreed with Insurers that policy liability attached. He monitored the repair and ultimately adjusted the PD loss. The BI aspect was handled by another team member – a BI Expert.