Generator topples on Port Hills

Press, 27 December 1986, Page 6

Generator topples on Port Hills

Heathcote County is again without wind-gener-ated electricity after the wind turbine generator on the Port Hills collapsed earlier this week.

The turbine, put up for the Port Hills Energy Authority, was commissioned on November 28 and is the first commercially run wind-powered generator in New Zealand. It was on Heathcote County land in Bowenvale Park.

Mr lan Bywater, the energy authority’s director of engineering, said yesterday that it was not

known exactly what had happened to the generator but foul play was not suspected at this stage.

“It looks as if the bolts holding the top section of the mast gave out causing the top section to fall.”

There were no witnesses to the “tragedy” which had occurred between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, he said.-

The turbine has been removed from the site to the Heathcote council depot where it awaits inspection by an insurance assessor for ASEA (N.Z.), Ltd, the company that

owns the generator.

“We have to look into it thoroughly so that when we re-erect it — hopefully in January — we know what caused it” Mr Bywater said he did not think the wind had been too strong for the turbine. “If everything had been correct it would not have been severely tested by the winds. It appears there was something incorrect with the tower.” Another machine was likely to be supplied by ASEA, he said. “It has been quite a blow for the staff, who

were very keen on the project Now they have to go up there and pick up the pieces.” The two-blade turbine has a maximum continuous rated output of 45kW, at a wind speed of 64km/ h. Wind velocity records for that point on the hills put the expected yearly output at 90,000 units, enough energy to provide power to 12 homes. The turbine, made of fibreglass-reinforced polyester, is designed to withstand winds of 250km/h, with a peak gust of 288km/h.