Chronicling trends in entertainment, pop culture, politics, the arts, and the uncategorized et cetera.

Shallow Nation

June 18th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

National Geographic: World’s Toughest Fixes: Giant Wind Turbine (Video, Photos)

National Geographic World's Toughest Fixes Giant Wind Turbine
Here are National Geographic: World’s Toughest Fixes Giant Wind Turbine video and photos. The program airs on June 18, 2009 at 9 p.m. PT/ET on National Geographic channel.

The third episode of World’s Toughest Fixes is Alaska Oil Pipeline . WTF (as the program is also coyly known) chronicles the adventures of program host, professional rigger Sean Riley as he takes on challenging projects worldwide to assist mechanics and engineers. This time he is working on a giant wind turbine in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

The residents need Riley’s assistance to set up a 115-ton wind turbine. It is in an ideal location where winds blow constantly. However, as the World’s Toughest Fixes Giant Wind Turbine episode reveals, that makes the task of raising giant blades in gusting winds a huge challenge. Sean Riley joins a team of engineers, ironworkers, crane operators and riggers and assists them in attaching the 68-ton gearbox at the center of the blades to the top of a 300-foot tower. Easier said than done with wind gusts that are strong enough to break the protective lines.

Sean Riley, National Geographic World's Toughest Fixes Giant Wind Turbine

Portsmouth, Rhode Island: Host Sean Riley admires his work from the parking lot after the wind turbine has been attached. (photo credit © Scott Degraw/National Geographic Television)

Host Sean Riley (picture above) and his witty, down to earth approach to complex technological problems have won a loyal fan base and made WTF a popular show. He recently made a memorable appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. See the video and several behind the scenes photos here: Riley on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

For more background information on the program, see Sean Riley’s blog: The Right Tool For The Job

Sean Riley, World’s Toughest Fixes host, is founder and principal rigging designer of the San Francisco based company Gravity Design Inc., The company delivers innovative rigging and force management solutions for large-scale industry clients worldwide, who range from circus acts to industrial installations such as wind turbines, underwater welding or commercial solar energy fields.

Top photo: Portsmouth, Rhode Island: After several delays due to weather the turbine installation is complete. (photo credit © Scott Degraw/National Geographic Television)

Check out some National Geographic World’s Toughest Fixes Giant Wind Turbine videos and photos below.

National Geographic World's Toughest Fixes Giant Wind Turbinie

Portsmouth, Rhode Island: Host Sean Riley, and Eric Cochran harness themselves to the inside ladder of the wind turbine tower as they start their voyage to the top. (photo credit © Scott Degraw/National Geographic Television)

Video “Big Fix” – This town wants to generate its own energy but first it has to figure out how to assemble this turbine. Video Link

Photos and video courtesy of National Geographic Channel