Measures needed for the successful development of wind energy in icing climates

Wind energy in cold climates can, marketwise, act as a bridge between present onshore and future offshore wind farms. However, the consequences of iced-up wind turbine blades are all too well known and large-scale wind farms in affected climates therefore require effective planning tools. Fortunately, the members of COST Action 727 – “Atmospheric icing of structures” are studying the possibilities to improve icing measurements and modelling. The measures proposed herein are well known, require hard work and are costly. For the wind turbine customer, the easiest solution would be if the wind turbine manufacturers were to make anti-/de-icing technologies, which are able to cope with moderate and severe icing conditions, readily available. The decision toinitiate the development of anti-/de-icing technologies require market studies showing the market potential which in turn requires studies of the effects of icing on wind turbines, forecasting and mapping of icing which in turnrequires measurements of droplet size distribution and liquid water content. So far and hardly professional, wind turbines have been built in icy climates hoping for luck.