Review of Icing Effects on Wind Turbine in Cold Regions

Abstract

This paper describes a brief overview of main issues related to atmospheric ice accretion on wind turbines installed in cold climate region. Icing has significant effects on wind turbine performance particularly from aerodynamic and structural integrity perspective, as ice accumulates mainly on the leading edge of the blades that change its aerodynamic profile shape and effects its structural dynamics due to added mass effects of ice. This research aims to provide an overview and develop further understanding of the effects of atmospheric ice accretion on wind turbine blades. One of the operational challenges of the wind turbine blade operation in icing condition is also to overcome the process of ice shedding, which may happen due to vibrations or bending of the blades. Ice shedding is dangerous phenomenon, hazardous for equipment and personnel in the immediate area.

Study of ice accretion on wind turbine blade profiles using thermal infrared imaging

“…The IR images are processed to detect ice by evaluating each profile surface temperature, which helped in identifying the ice distribution patterns and locations along each profile surface. In previous study (Afzal and Virk, 2018;Ghani and Virk, 2013;Hudecz, 2014;Mohseni et al, 2012), results show that ice mainly accretes along leading edge, therefore, five different locations (as line) are marked along leading edge area of each profile during image processing for analysis of surface temperature variation. These locations are shown in Figure 3.…”

“…Similarly, in recent years due to increased energy demands in high north, icing on wind turbine blades has got attention as it affects blade aerodynamics that lead to decrease in annual power production and can pose a safety risk due to ice shedding (Tammelin et al, 2000). Atmospheric ice accretion on wind turbine mainly occurs due to the impingement of super-cooled water droplets that freeze on blade surface (Afzal and Virk, 2018). The distribution of ice loads along blade surface is not constant due to change in airflow behaviour and geometric characteristics of the blade from root to tIp section.…”

A numerical investigation of the effects of ice accretion on the aerodynamic and structural behavior of offshore wind turbine blade

“…It is concentrated more precisely at the tip of the blade. Icing is responsible for the deterioration of the geometry due to the accumulation of ice which produces small fissures and premature delamination in the material of the wind turbine (Afzal and Virk, 2018).…”

Modal analysis of an iced offshore composite wind turbine blade

“…The authors also indicated that an increase in blade mass caused by icing reduced its natural frequencies, and that symmetrical icing of all three blades decreased the loads acting on the turbine components, while asymmetrical icing caused loads and vibrations in the structure. Afzal and Virk (2018) had shown that the additional mass of ice located on the leading edge of the blade has important effects on the efficiency of wind turbines. Ice formation on the surface of the wind turbine blades is not homogeneous along the entire length of the blade, it causes more loads and increase the excitation of edgewise vibrations.…”