Core Viewpoint - The recent impact of Typhoon "Haikui" on wind power facilities in Guangdong has raised concerns about the resilience of older wind turbines against extreme weather conditions, highlighting the need for improved design standards in the industry [1][3][6]. Group 1: Incident Overview - Typhoon "Haikui" made landfall in Yangjiang, Guangdong, with maximum wind speeds of 40 m/s, leading to the collapse of several wind turbines [1][3]. - The affected wind turbines were part of the Huaneng Leiping Wind Farm, which has a total installed capacity of 178.5 MW and has been operational since 2012 [4][6]. - The maximum recorded wind speed at the wind farm reached 75 m/s, significantly exceeding the design limits of the turbines [3][6]. Group 2: Industry Insights - Industry experts indicated that the collapsed turbines were older models with lower specifications compared to current standards, and their design did not account for extreme weather events [4][6]. - The wind farm had been operating safely for 13 years, and the manufacturer’s warranty had expired in 2017, with maintenance now managed by a third party [4][6]. - The World Wind Energy Association noted that the incident was an isolated event due to extreme weather, as newer offshore wind turbines are designed to withstand such conditions [6][7]. Group 3: Response and Future Considerations - In contrast to the inland wind turbines, over a thousand offshore wind turbines successfully withstood the typhoon, demonstrating the effectiveness of modern design standards [7][8]. - The offshore wind farms had implemented preemptive measures, entering "typhoon mode" to protect their equipment during the storm [7]. - Companies like Mingyang Smart Energy have developed advanced turbine designs that allow for adaptive yawing to minimize stress during high winds, showcasing innovation in the sector [8].
广东沿海数台风电机组被台风吹倒,行业人士:风力远超当年设计标准极限,实属天灾