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UFO turbine results are in - ET is innocent!
Tuesday 7am - The damage to one of Ecotricity's wind turbines on Fen Lane, Conisholme, was not caused by a UFO a report has concluded.
Speculation reached fever pitch after a the Louth Leader reported a number of local people seeing strange lights in the sky in the vicinity of the wind park.
But, following several weeks of forensic examination of the turbines components the manufacturer, Enercon, has today ruled out 'collision' as a possible cause.
An interim report has concluded that bolts securing the blade to the hub of the turbine failed due to 'material fatigue'.
The bolts used to attached the blade to the hub of the turbine exhibited classic signs of fatigue failure.
Enercon have ruled out bolt defect due to the nature of the failure and the investigation is now looking into 'supporting components' - those parts on either side of the bolts.
If one of these supporting components failed it would induce stress in the bolts beyond their design limits and cause failure. Further tests are currently being carried out.
Managing Director of Ecotricity, Dale Vince said: "We hope to have the results back in a few weeks. It's a job of separating cause from effect now - we can see which bits are broken, but which bits failed first is the bit that needs forensic investigation - it's all clever stuff"
Ecotricity continue to liaise closely with The Health & Safety Executive and East Lindsey council.
A thorough inspection of all the turbines at Fen Farm Wind Park has been carried out.
Ecotricity, Enercon and the HSE have no concerns with the ongoing safety of this, or any other, wind park.
See Wednesday's paper for more details and people's views.
What do you think to the conclusion? Email faye.preston@jpress.co.uk or call 01507 353200
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Weather for Louth
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: North east
