Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 3

Since 2010, Senvion has installed a fleet of more than 200 MM82/92 2.05 MW Cold Climate Version (CCV)wind turbines in Quebec which are exposed to low temperatures and moderate to severe icing conditions. Iceaccretion on wind turbine blades may cause aerodynamic and mass imbalances that can lead to productionlosses as well as increased extreme loads.The main objective of this project is to optimize the ice operation mode of a Senvion turbine in order tomaximize energy yield while ensuring a minimal risk of high extreme loads. More specifically, the project aimsto improve ice detection, validate ice induced loads, and optimize turbine control parameters during icingevents.These objectives will be achieved by conducting a measurement campaign on four Senvion MM92 CCV windturbines currently operating at two wind farms in Quebec, and which are exposed to moderate and severe icingconditions. The turbines are equipped with additional meteorological, ice and load sensors. The data will beanalyzed and used to characterize icing events and validate load assumptions. The turbine's ice operation modewill be optimized based on the results of analysis and simulation.It is expected that the ice operation mode of Senvion turbines will be greatly improved by the end of thisproject, providing the said manufacturer with a competitive edge in the growing Canadian wind energy market,which is predominantly in cold climate. As a result of an optimized ice operation mode, wind farm owners willmaximize their assets and the Canadian power grid will be more stable, leading to greater penetration ofrenewable energy.