Abstract
Wind turbines mounted on cold climate sites are subject to icing which could signi
fi
cantly in
fl
uence the
performance of the turbine blades for harvesting wind energy. In this study, an innovative dual de-icing
system under development is described. This either prevents ice accumulation (anti-icing) or removes
any ice layer present on the surface of the blade material (de-icing). A modelling study on ultrasonic
guided waves propagating in composite blades was used to determine the optimal frequency and
location of the transducers for ensuring wave propagation, causing the required level of energy con-
centration and resulting shear stress across the leading edge of the turbine's blade. In parallel, the effects
of low frequency vibrations have been investigated through modal and harmonic analyses. This allowed
speci
fi
cation and optimisation of the positioning of shaker(s), together with the magnitude and direction
of harmonic forces required to induce suf
fi
cient acceleration to the blade surface for ice removal. An
appropriate survey was also carried out to evaluate the potential for fatigue failure of the blade due to
harmonic forces induced by shakers. The proposed technique con
fi
gures and presents an active solution
for the icing problem, allowing safe and reliable operation of wind turbines in adverse weather
conditions
fi
cantly in
fl
uence the
performance of the turbine blades for harvesting wind energy. In this study, an innovative dual de-icing
system under development is described. This either prevents ice accumulation (anti-icing) or removes
any ice layer present on the surface of the blade material (de-icing). A modelling study on ultrasonic
guided waves propagating in composite blades was used to determine the optimal frequency and
location of the transducers for ensuring wave propagation, causing the required level of energy con-
centration and resulting shear stress across the leading edge of the turbine's blade. In parallel, the effects
of low frequency vibrations have been investigated through modal and harmonic analyses. This allowed
speci
fi
cation and optimisation of the positioning of shaker(s), together with the magnitude and direction
of harmonic forces required to induce suf
fi
cient acceleration to the blade surface for ice removal. An
appropriate survey was also carried out to evaluate the potential for fatigue failure of the blade due to
harmonic forces induced by shakers. The proposed technique con
fi
gures and presents an active solution
for the icing problem, allowing safe and reliable operation of wind turbines in adverse weather
conditions
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 859-870 |
| Journal | Renewable Energy |
| Volume | 83 |
| Issue number | November 2015 |
| Early online date | 2 Jun 2015 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2015 |