Feasibility Study for Adaptation of Wind Power Technologies to Cold Climates
Renewable Energy Integration
PV Solar Power
Partners:
Natural Resources Canada
Period of realization:
July to December 2019
Nergica has conducted a technical analysis of sensors used in the aerospace industry in order to validate whether this technology might be able to detect air flow disturbances on turbine blades during icing events and/or to optimize rotor performance during normal operation.
Atmospheric icing has a significant impact on wind farm development and operation. To achieve optimal performance, the turbine must be capable of detecting ice on the rotor blades as soon as it occurs. It is in this context that the project was carried out.
Hightlights
- Good performance of sensors installed on the blades of one wind turbine.
- Valuable information collected on the impact of icing accretion on (i) the leading edge of the blade and (ii) the aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine.
- Detection of (i) erosion of leading edge or (ii) debris accretion.
- Possibility of connecting the sensors to the wind turbine control system in order to increase the rotor’s aerodynamic performance.
