Autonomous ice protection combining guided ultrasonic waves and electrothermal systems

海上风能被认为是实现可持续发展、能源安全和低电价方面国家和国际目标的关键部门。随着海上风电成本的降低和现有技术困难的克服，英国和海外的大部分新设施预计将位于风能资源丰富但气候寒冷和结冰条件常见的北部地区。防冰对于在寒冷气候下运行的风力涡轮机是至关重要的。水轮机叶片上的结冰会显著增加运行成本，降低输出能量，缩短水轮机的使用寿命。该项目将开发Win-D-ICE，这是一种新系统，通过结合现有最先进的防冰和除冰技术来提供自动防冰。该系统将以最低的成本和能源使用实现最大的性能，通过使用传感器来检测叶片上的冰，并使用专门的软件来自动控制系统运行。WIN-D-ICE将作为催化剂，使离岸能源进一步增长，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.