Testing times for our turbine!

The Joggins Fossil Centre harvests most of its energy from renewable sources; solar and wind. We have a 30 meter wind turbine, which towers over the site like a mighty, three armed colossus.

Looking at the turbine today, it looks like it did battle with the gods. Some time on Thursday evening, it seems that the elements, which included extremely heavy rain, wind and lightening, got the better of our turbine and it now sits nursing its wounds.

It is difficult to tell what happened to the turbine, though lightening strikes are not uncommon. A lightning strike can lead to temperature increases of up to 30,000°C. There are manufacturers out there who are looking at ways to harness the magnificent force of lightning strikes and registering the current and capturing it.

We are awaiting experts to investigate what really did happen to our wind turbine but until then thankfully the sun is shining and we are generating lots of power through our roof-top solar panels.

It's interesting to see how we are heading full circle to use age-old methods of harnessing the elements. We have used wind power for producing food and transportation and the sun has heated our water and homes for thousands of years.

I used to manage an 18thC windmill in England and trust me, it's a complicated business managing the gears and brakes, making sure it's turned to face the oncoming wind, that the grindstones are not too close together and that it isn't going too fast. We're obviously more technologically advanced these days but mother nature has a great way of showing us, every once in a while, that she is still in charge!