Loiseau Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 A small group of eoliennes (wind turbines) has recently been built about a quarter of a mile from my hamlet, a concept with which I have never had any problem.On a visit last week, arriving in the dark, I noticed incredibly bright, white flashing lights from a mile or so away - really quite distracting if you are driving a car, as you cannot make out what they are, or whether you are going to have to take avoiding action. It eventually dawned on me that this must be coming from the wind turbines themselves. Arrival in the village showed this to be true. The flashing behind one of the houses looked as if World War I was being enacted there, and the blindingly brilliant light was bouncing off the walls of my own house. I met a (French) neighbour who has a barn conversion with huge windows, and he said that it flashes constantly into their large living space (with the size of his windows, he cannot have the possibility of any shutters).I have beena sking around, and heard various theories put forward about this: these white lights are to prevent low-flying aircraft running into the turbines (but other wind farms in the area just seem to have constant red lights on top to do this); that the white flashes are only supposed to be working during daylight hours; and an informal chat with one of the main commune's councillors when she said that none of the council was quite sure why it was happening. I was intending to write to the mayor to see if something could not be done about them, but wanted first to hear other people's experiences.Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 I had a quick Google, Des flashes très puissants sont émis toutes les cinq secondes en haut des mâts d'éoliennes à la demande de l'aviation civile pour des raisons de sécurité. Ces flashs sont généralement blancs le jour et rouges la nuit, d'intensité plus faible, ceci pour réduire la gêne auprès des riverains.Google English...Very powerful flashes are issued every five seconds in high wind masts at the request of civil aviation for security reasons. These flashes are usually white and red on the night of lower intensity, in order to reduce the inconvenience to residents.Source http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89olienne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 Now why didn't *I* think of googling them, Cat! Many thanks, it has set me off down another trail.I see on this government site that the flashes might be standard (though they could have chosen red lights - and I wish they had), but that their intensity has to be reduced from 20,000 Cd (whatever that may be) to 2,000 Cd during hours of darkness. That might lessen the impact, if they actually did that. I have no idea how one measures Cd (is it candlepower or something?)A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 A Cd is a Candela which is the metric equivalent of candlepower.20K Cd = extremely bright2K Cd = quite bright. Think sort of 100 watt bulb.I have a lot of these usless things around me (don't even get me started on whether they actually contribute any net electricity). There are some which have white lights and are visible on a clear night from more than 20Kms away, I'm not convinced they reduce the power of the lights at night and I think I'll be making enquires about it. The others have static red lights but they appear to blink as the blades turn and block the light.The turbines with white lights are fairly close to a small airdrome, I don't know if that's the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted November 7, 2008 Author Share Posted November 7, 2008 Whoops! Seem to have repeated myself!Have removed this post, as the one below is a duplicate. Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted November 7, 2008 Author Share Posted November 7, 2008 Thanks for that info, Pierre!Hmm, 100w lightbulb is not at all the effect at night, but it will be useful to tell M le Maire that that is what it should be, and to suggest that he takes a run out towards my hamlet after nightfall and see if he thinks the blinding lights fall into this category.Angela EDIT No airport within 50km; nearest aerodrome at least 25km (and I am sure with no night flights). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Is this a set of four wind turbines that are just being commissioned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted November 7, 2008 Author Share Posted November 7, 2008 Four or five. Can't remember exactly, as am now back in UK. Not all turning I don't think. A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 At one time today they were but as there was no wind it was a mystery. Commissioning I think is the word, which has taken months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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