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Prepare Your Wind Turbines for a Worry-Free Winter
Winter preparation is essential for wind farm operators to ensure optimal turbine performance during the cold, windy months when energy production is at its peak. Wind speeds across northern and central Europe are generally higher in the winter months compared to summer, particularly in regions like the North Sea, Scandinavia, and parts of Germany.
Daniela Roeper
Vice President BorealisWind
Onshore wind farms in Europe typically achieve capacity factors of around 25% to 40%, but this peaks in winter months due to stronger winds and lower air density in colder temperatures, particularly in northern Europe.
While winter brings high winds and greater energy generation potential, it also introduces risks such as ice buildup, harsh weather, and limited accessibility. Without proactive preparation, turbines can face costly downtime, safety risks, and reduced efficiency. To avoid these challenges, it is vital to conduct preventative maintenance, secure specialized equipment, and implement protective systems before severe winter conditions make turbines difficult to access for maintenance.
Proactive Maintenance to Ensure Safety
Proactive maintenance planning is a key element of ensuring wind turbines remain operational during harsh winter weather. Scheduling preventive maintenance and inspections before the cold sets in allows technicians to address potential issues while the turbine is easy to access. Winter conditions can bring ice and snow, making turbines challenging to access for routine repairs. Preparing equipment and implementing safety protocols ensures technicians can work efficiently when weather conditions are at their worst, minimizing downtime and protecting both workers and the surrounding area from ice-related risks.
Risk Assessment and Financial Impact
Winter-specific risks, such as ice buildup on turbine blades, can lead to extended downtime and increased maintenance costs due to challenging conditions. Ice buildup can cause wind turbines to lose as much as 3.9% of energy production annually in cold climates like Canada, leading to significant revenue losses. In total, this equates to approximately 959 GWh per year of lost energy across Canada, representing an estimated $113 million in lost revenue.
Ice-related mechanical strain on components may require more frequent repairs, while technicians face dangerous access conditions, resulting in costly delays. Proper winter preparation, including risk assessment and the implementation of ice protection systems, helps mitigate these risks, preventing emergency maintenance costs and rush charges. By ensuring turbines run efficiently through the winter, wind farms can maximize production and reduce financial losses, ultimately safeguarding long-term profitability.
Preparation Through Ice Protection
Implementing specialized ice mitigation systems can be a crucial element of preparing turbines for harsh winter conditions. Comprehensive ice protection systems detect and prevent icing on turbine blades before it can accumulate, reducing the risk of safety hazards and maintenance issues. Estimates suggest that ice protection systems can reduce energy loss by 14% to 27% in cold climates. This improvement translates into notable revenue recovery, especially during peak production months when wind speeds are highest.
These systems help ensure consistent energy production, keeping turbines running and generating revenue when it’s needed most. Ice protection works by using sensors that monitor weather conditions and activate heating elements within the blades to prevent ice formation. This proactive approach not only minimizes downtime but also protects the turbine from long-term damage caused by ice buildup.
Take Action for a Worry-Free Winter
Winter preparation for wind turbines is critical to maintaining safety, compliance, and profitability during peak energy production months. By proactively scheduling maintenance, assessing risks, and implementing ice protection solutions, wind farms can avoid costly downtime and safety hazards. Comprehensive ice protection ensures consistent energy production while safeguarding turbines from ice buildup. To ensure a worry-free winter, now is the time for wind farm owners and executives to evaluate their current preparation strategies, identify weak spots, and invest in solutions that optimize performance and reduce risks.
Additional Information
How to Track Losses From Ice Build-Up on Wind Turbines
Use Case: Wind Farm Could Earn More Than 91% ROI with Ice Mitigation
Maximizing Wind Turbine Efficiency: Understanding the Capacity Factor
