Comprehensive Analysis of De-Icing Technologies for Wind Turbine Blades: Mechanisms, Modeling, and Performance Evaluation

Sayed Preonto, Aninda Swarnaker and Ashraf Ali Khan ()
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Sayed Preonto: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador A1B 3X5, Canada
Aninda Swarnaker: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador A1B 3X5, Canada
Ashraf Ali Khan: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador A1B 3X5, Canada

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-23

Abstract: The accumulation of ice on wind turbine blades presents a significant challenge in cold and high-altitude regions, where it alters the aerodynamic profile of the blades, increases drag, and reduces lift. Icing can reduce annual energy production by 20–40%, with extreme cases causing up to 37.5% generation loss due to earlier stalls and increased aerodynamic resistance. This research goal is to investigate the impact of ice formation on wind turbine performance and to evaluate the effectiveness of various mitigation measures. This study focuses on the Electro-Impulse De-Icing (EIDI) method and an approach to design and simulate it in COMSOL Multiphysics version 6.2, incorporating coupled electromagnetic, structural, and heat transfer physics to capture the generation of the Lorentz force and the resulting blade response. Quantitative analysis demonstrates that EIDI requires approximately 550–1450 kWh of energy per icing season for blades ranging from 30–80 m, which is significantly lower than conventional thermal systems (>8000 kWh) and more reliable against thick glaze ice than ultrasonic methods. The results highlight the potential of EIDI as a localized, energy-efficient solution that minimizes aerodynamic degradation and downtime, thereby offering higher reliability and long-term viability for wind turbines in cold climates.

Keywords: De-Icing; drag; lift coefficient; electro impulse; electromagnetics; wind turbine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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