Wind turbines and oil platforms have been involved in fires at an alarming frequency, leading to significant impacts on the environment and human safety.
Energy, in all its forms, lies at the foundation of activities in our modern society.
It is produced through various types of plants, including extractive ones such as oil and gas platforms, which are the primary sources of raw materials.
These raw materials often undergo complex processes before they can be used; take, for example, oil that is refined into diesel or gasoline to power vehicles.
With the rise of environmental awareness, renewable energy sources are gaining traction, as demonstrated by the proliferation of wind farms, photovoltaic plants and geothermal systems.
However, as with any human infrastructure, these plants too are not exempt from failures, breakdowns and fires.
Given their productive nature, such events can cause enormous damage: loss of life, significant environmental impact and considerable economic losses.
These effects often extend to people not directly involved in the incidents, manifesting themselves in terms of job losses and harm to the local and national economy.
It is crucial to emphasize that the damage is always devastating.
Despite the temporary media attention such incidents receive, the statistical data on these disasters tend to be overlooked or ignored.
Plants dedicated to energy production from renewable sources are subject to fire risk like any other man-made infrastructure
A significant example comes from a Norwegian study on fires that occurred on oil platforms between 1997 and 2014, which revealed that fire is the leading cause of incidents in this sector: analyzing 985 fire reports, more than 70% of the cases involved actual fires and explosions; surprisingly, 66% of these fires were due to electrical problems and machinery overheating rather than hydrocarbon leaks.
To fully understand the potential devastation caused by a fire on an oil platform, it is helpful to examine the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.
On April 20 of that year, an eruption occurred in the Macondo well's marine riser, causing a geyser of water that reached 230 feet (70 meters) in height.
The released gases ignited, causing massive explosions.
The safety systems did not work properly and the fire became uncontrollable; the platform sank in two days, leaving an open hole in the seabed that oil leaked from until July 15th.
This incident claimed the lives of 11 people and generated one of the most severe oil spills in history, with approximately 800,000 tons of crude oil dumped into the gulf, causing irreparable damage to marine life and the economies of the coastal states affected.
Fires in wind turbines can also be uncontrollable and destructive.
Although there are no consolidated official statistics, numerous events have been reported in the UK from 1999 to the present day.
Turbine fires can result from electrical failures or engines overheating and can occur both at the turbine's base and higher up.
In both cases, the damage is severe; the damaged blades are costly to repair and can cause harm to nearby people or property.
It is crucial to implement appropriate preventive measures to reduce the risk of extremely dangerous fires on both oil platforms and wind farms.
The technical complexity of these systems requires specialized expertise to ensure high safety standards.
Mozzanica is able to offer such expertise thanks to a team of engineers and technicians with many years of experience in the sector. This experience makes it possible to analyze the customer's request in detail, offering integrated fire protection systems to ensure safety.
In addition, Mozzanica can offer a global presence thanks to its well-distributed logistics network that allows it to provide turnkey solutions compliant with local, national and international regulations.
In conclusion, the safety of energy facilities must be a top priority to prevent tragedies similar to those already experienced in the energy sector.