Autonomous ice protection combining guided ultrasonic waves and electrothermal systems

海上风电被认为是实现国家和国际可持续性、能源安全和低电价目标的关键部门。随着海上风电成本的降低和现有技术困难的克服，预计英国和国外的大多数新装置将位于风资源丰富但气候寒冷且结冰条件常见的北方地区。防冰对于在寒冷气候下运行的风力涡轮机的运行至关重要。涡轮机叶片上的积冰会显著增加运行成本、降低能量输出并缩短涡轮机寿命。该项目将开发WIN-D-ICE，这是一种结合现有最先进的防冰和除冰技术提供自动防冰的新系统。该系统将通过使用传感器检测叶片上的冰和专门的软件自动控制系统运行，以最低的成本和能源使用实现最大的性能。WIN-D-ICE将作为一种催化剂，促进离岸业务的进一步发展，以实现国家和国际在可再生能源、能源成本和能源安全方面的承诺和目标，造福于我们所有人。

Offshore wind is considered a key sector for meeting national and international targets with respect to sustainability, energy security, and low electricity prices. As offshore wind costs are decreasing and existing technical difficulties are overcome, the majority of new installations in the UK and abroad are expected to be located in Northern areas where wind resources are abundant but climates are cold and icing conditions are common. Ice protection is essential for the operation of wind turbines operating in cold climates. Ice accretion on the blades of turbines can significantly increase operational costs, lower energy output, and decrease turbine lifetime. This project will develop WIN-D-ICE, a new system which provides automatic ice protection by combining existing state-of-the-art anti- and de- icing technologies. The system will achieve maximum performance at minimum costs and energy use by using sensors to detect ice on the blades and specialised software to automatically control system operation. WIN-D-ICE will act as a catalyst enabling further growth of offshore to achieve national and international commitments and targets with respect to renewables, energy costs, and energy security for the benefit of us all.