Wind turbines face several issues in cold weather. Materials become more brittle at low temperatures, increasing the risk of failure from impact loads. Turbine designers must use materials suitable for low temperatures and take special precautions like low-temperature welding. Icing is also a problem, as ice buildup on blades reduces performance and can cause imbalance. Turbine operators employ technologies like heating elements or surface treatments to prevent or remove ice accumulation. The presence of snow introduces additional moisture that can damage components if it penetrates seals or enclosures. Designers account for these cold weather factors to ensure reliable turbine operation in frigid conditions.

1. Wind Turbines:
Cold Weather Issues
Henry Kurniadi

2. Cold Weather Issues

3. Issue 1:
Materials Failure at Low
Temperatures

4. Low Temperatures

5. final height initial height
Impact loading:
-- severe testing case
-- makes material more brittle
-- decreases toughness
Impact Testing
(Charpy)

6. Temperature Effect on
Metal Failures
More brittle More ductile
Temp. (oC)

7. Impact Properties:
Ductile to Brittle Transition Temperature (DBTT)
lower higher
Transition at certain temperature range
Material becomes brittle (more susceptible to impact) at low temperature

8. Use materials that suitable for low temperatures.
Welding completed with special low temperature
flux.
Lubricants & oils suitable for low temperature.
Solutions

9. GE Wind Turbine Technical Changes
for Cold Weather

10. GE Wind Turbine Metallurgy
for Cold Weather
Minimize impact
loading from braking

11. Guides on Welding for Low
Temperatures

12. Issue 2:
Icing (Ice Accretion/積冰)

13. Icing (Ice Accretion)

14. Icing and Performance Reduction

15. Icing and Performance Reduction

16. Blade Ice Formation
Low elevation or polar region High elevation or mountain region

17. Anti- and De-Icing Technologies for
Several Cold Weather Wind Turbines

18. Other Method: Painted Black

19. Issue 3:
Presence of Snow

20. Snow Environment
Snow (雪) = Water (水) = Damp/Moisture (濕度/濕氣)

21. IEA Wind Recommended Practices 13: Wind Energy
Projects in Cold Climates, Ed. 2011, published May 22, 2012.
NREL, Wind Energy: Cold Weather Issues, June 2000.
GE Wind Energy: Cold Weather Turbine Operation, June
2005.
KOBELCO Welding, A Quick Guide to Suitable Welding
Consumables for Low Temperature Steel.
Nippon Steel & Sumikin Welding Co., Ltd., Welding for Low
Temperature Service Steel.
References