ABSTRACT
Wind power has gained considerable popularity as a form of alternative and sustainable energy resource. In order to establish wind as a practical and economic resource, it is important to optimize the wind turbine components. There is an immense potential of tapping wind resources in countries with cold climates. However, precipitation, atmospheric and in-cloud icing affect the operation and performance of wind turbines. This includes measurement errors, power losses, mechanical and electrical failures and most importantly it poses a safety threat. This issue becomes critical when the ice accumulates on turbine blades and starts affecting energy production, operational safety and becomes a concern for grid integration. This chapter discusses on icing mitigation strategies from a material standpoint that can be used on wind turbine blades. In particular, the chapter describes ultra-smooth anti-icing coatings and reviews its practicality in wind turbine blades.
