IEA wind RD&D Task 19:Wind energy in cold climates outlook and the need for tailored turbines

Global wind energy capacity has exceeded 239 GW in 2011. With the expansion of the wind market, the markets for wind energy in cold climates are growing rapidly. IEA Task 19 definition cold climate (CC) refers to regions where icing events or periods with temperatures below the operational limits of standard wind turbines occur, which may impact project implementation, economics and safety. The environmental conditions on CC sites are challenging; rime ice, snow, and super cooled rain are typical and frequent weather phenomena that can significantly effect turbine operation and lifetime, although – at temperatures very close to the freezing point – operational limits of standard turbines are by far not exceeded