Technological advancements for anti-icing and de-icing offshore wind turbine blades

Abstract

Due to the abundance of wind resources in marine environments, offshore wind turbines (OWTs) have gained significant attention in recent years. However, their blades are prone to ice accretion when operating in cold climates. Ice accretion on OWT blades induces surface roughness thereby reducing the aerodynamic performance of the turbine. Although various ice mitigation techniques have been explored, tested, and applied to onshore wind turbines, their feasibility for offshore application remains uncertain. Therefore, this review conducts a comprehensive feasibility study, examining each ice mitigation technique, its fundamental principles, advantages, disadvantages, and the potential for successful integration on OWT blades. The study also highlights the challenges of implementing these techniques in harsh offshore environments, providing critical insights for future research in this field.