The scenic island of Reposaari, connected to the west-coast city of Pori by a causeway road, is one of Finland’s windiest spots – so windy in fact that last April a windmill there began rotating too fast. Due to a series of technical glitches, staff at the utility that owns it, Suomen Hyötytuuli, were unable to regain control of the ‘runaway’ turbine. As a result, it broke and must now be replaced.
The company will begin taking down the rotors on Monday and sections of the tower on Tuesday. The work is expected to last through Wednesday. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route, Pohjoinen Satamatie, to reach or leave Reposaari or the adjoining island of Lampaluoto. The islands lie some 30 kilometres north-west of central Pori.
The original problem was a technical failure with the device that adjusts the angle of the blades. The turbine’s safety system failed to react quickly enough to this problem. The unit’s staff were told to leave the facility immediately, without switching on the remote control system. Thereafter the mill could not be controlled.
Hyötytuuli says it has tightened its safety procedures since the accident. In future, for instance, brake systems will be tested biannually, and the brake pads will be replaced. The operating methods for turbine installers and monitors have also been revised.
