Human error behind Nordex turbine failure

Human error caused the destruction of one of 16 Nordex 2.5 MW turbines newly installed at Havøysundgavlen in the Arctic province of Finnmark. The turbine ran out of control until the nacelle and rotor fell off the tower. Tip speed was measured at 663 kilometres per hour at the time of the accident, compared with a maximum limit of 289 kph. Nordex reports that wind speed at the time was up to 15 m/s, well within design norms. An incorrect manual adjustment of the turbine's control system, which disconnected the automatic safety system, resulted in the turbine being without brakes during a momentary grid outage and caused it to run out of control. Nordex's sales manager says the failure caused no damage other than to the turbine.