Wind Energy

UPDATE: UFO Not Responsible for UK Wind Turbine Wreckage

Published

February 11, 2009

In a news update that should surprise no one, officials now say that the destruction of a £1 million wind turbine in the UK last month was not caused by a UFO. Despite local reports of a “massive ball of light with tentacles going right down to the ground”, the turbine’s manufacturer believes that material fatigue is responsible for a 65 foot blade flying off the device.

According to Ecotricity’s website, the “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.” Ecotricity owns the turbine farm in question.

The company plans on releasing the entire manufacturer’s report in a few weeks, at which point all conspiracy theories may or may not be put to rest.

Photo CC-Licensed by Flickr User Balakov

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In this article:ecotricity, UFO, UK, wind energ

Written By Ariel Schwartz

was formerly the editor of CleanTechnica and is a senior editor at Co.Exist. She has contributed to SF Weekly, Popular Science, Inhabitat, Greenbiz, NBC Bay Area, GOOD Magazine, and more. A graduate of Vassar College, she has previously worked in publishing, organic farming, documentary film, and newspaper journalism. Her interests include permaculture, hiking, skiing, music, relocalization, and cob (the building material). She currently resides in San Francisco, CA.

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