Wind
Benefit of Cathodic Protection for Wind Farms
One major deleterious effect of wind power generation is voltage gradients that can and are likely actively corroding the rebar within the windmill footing/plinth (foundation). When the rebar begins to corrode, exfoliation occurs and the concrete begins to crack, compromising the structural integrity of the windmill foundation. Installing cathodic protection (CP) on the rebar within the foundation can prevent the corrosion of the rebar and add dozens of years of design life to the foundation. CP can be retrofitted discretely by trenching around the circumference of the foundation or installed during new construction projects. Most CP systems can be installed and commissioned in just a few days.
Decouplers
When the grounding system is in direct contact with the rebar within the concrete, the rebar will be actively corroded by the grounding system as the rebar is a less noble and a more active metal than the copper grounding system. Unless the rebar is insulated/isolated from the grounding and or CP is applied; the rebar will corrode prematurely, jeopardizing the structural integrity of the windmill foundation and eventually causing premature failure.
Installing decouplers between the rebar and grounding systems can allow lightning and A/C current to pass through the grounding system while blocking D/C currents. This is common practice in the oil and gas industry and is required by Federal law, 49 CFR title 195, transportation of hazardous liquids by pipeline and is intended to protect metallic pipelines and holding vessels such as above ground storage tanks from corrosion, premature failure and spills. Installing CP in conjunction with decouplers can protect the windmill foundation while allowing the windmill grounding system to function as designed.
Placing a decoupler between the grounding and rebar prevents corrosion of the rebar by blocking D/C current flow and allowing A/C current to pass through in case of a lightning strike.
Decouplers are often used in the oil & gas industries placing the decouplers between the storage vessel and vessels grounding to prevent corrosion of piping and other hazardous liquids containing vessels.
Corrosion Inhibitors
Corrosion inhibitors can be used to prevent corrosion of rebar within the foundation (plinth). Vapor phase corrosion inhibitors can be sprayed on the external surfaces of the foundation before backfilling and will migrate to the steel to provide protection from corrosion.
Solar
Solar Panel Frame Footings
Solar panel frames, chassis and footings are susceptible to corrosion where the footings for the frames come into contact with the earth or substrate they are installed in. Salts can migrate to the steel within the footings, causing exfoliation of the steel within the footing which eventually propagates into premature failure.
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