Ice challenges of offshore wind turbines

In this project, research parties VTT, Aalto and FMI together with industry partners aim is to increase knowledge on offshore wind turbine structures in ice-covered sea areas to enable reliable investment plans and designs in the Northern Baltic Sea. To achieve this, three different measurement campaigns are conducted and the results are utilized to improve the models used in the design process. The largest test campaign is conducted in the Bothnian Bay to measure ice conditions and ice-structure interaction on a channel marker or lighthouse. Different foundation types are also measured on Aalto University’s ice tank. Icing of wind turbine blades on marine environment is studied by measuring blade icing on onshore wind turbine located near the coastline. All the measurements are analysed and used in the model development to support the design of offshore wind turbines in ice-covered seas.