Hacker News Reader

Comment by adgjlsfhk1 | Hacker News Reader

I kind of doubt it. carbon fiber has pretty bad impact resistance which is necessary because the blades are spinning quickly enough that dust over time erodes the leading edge

View on HN

Don't all wind turbine blades use various coatings / tapings on the leading edge to prevent degradation over time?

https://www.lmwindpower.com/en/services/the-problade-ultra

> "Leading edge erosion (LEE) is a phenomenon where the leading edge of a wind turbine blade is eroded due to rain, hail, UV, sand, dust, and numerous airborne particulates. Since wind turbine blades are built to last over 2 decades, this erosion exposes the fiberglass beneath and ultimately impacts the blade’s life causing the turbine to produce less energy over time."

It takes periodic maintenance to repair the blade and restore efficiency.

I’m wonder how the eroded fibers are from an inhalation risk perspective.

Approaching zero compared to the emissions of fossil fuel power plants, I assure you

Fossil plants emit radionuclides (coal) and, obviously, lots of other things. But dismissing fiber inhalation risk from their replacement because fossil plants are bad is pure sophistry.

Hmm, we make aircraft, including supersonic ones, out of carbon fiber. So surely the problem is manageable somehow? If nothing else, put some metal plates on the leading edges?

most of the time an airplane is at altitude where there is a lot less stuff in the air. (and when they're at low attitudes, they are going a lot slower)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com