NANOmetric bio-inspired coating for wind turbine WINGS ice protection

Introduction

Although winters are the best season for wind energy harvesting, icing is a major problem affecting the competitiveness of this type of renewable energy. In Europe, about 94% of the wind farms have suffered icing events, which reduce turbine performance and cause even temporary shutdowns. Indeed, icing-induced power output losses in wind farms are found to reach over 20% of the annual production.

Current Solutions

There is not yet an efficient, cost-effective anti-icing or de-icing solution on the market:

• Active solutions (thermal and mechanical systems) present low efficiency.
• Passive technologies (typically coatings and paints) are not easily applied, and their durability and effectiveness are not well demonstrated.

Proposed Solution

Nanowings will overcome the icing challenge by developing a disruptive transparent nanocoating (super-glue polymers and nanoparticles blended formulation) with outstanding anti-icing and anti-fouling properties. This coating can be applied in-situ via an innovative, portable, and light module (mini-electrospinning and heating system) which can be mounted under a remotely controlled drone.

Technical Details

• 5 g/m² of the nanomaterial coated over the surface of a fiberglass-reinforced polyester or epoxy wind turbine blade creates a nano-rough layer (0.5 µm thick).
• This layer reduces the wettability of the surface and imparts self-cleaning properties.

By avoiding ice accretion, Nanowings reduces downtimes and increases the electricity production of the wind turbine.

Consortium and Collaboration

Nanowings is seizing a new concept of engineering and electrospinning of nanomaterials demonstrated at lab scale by partner LINARI. Moreover, the international consortium brings together:

1. Top-notch academics (DTU) with seminal contributions in advanced nanomaterials and wind turbine performance under icing conditions.
2. A well-recognized utility company (ENEL) as end-user and key testing partner (Valdihuelo Wind Farm - Spain).
3. An SME (EOLOGIX) with innovation in on-site wind turbine inspection based on avant-garde adhesive sensors.