Remote ice detection on rotor blades of wind turbines

In this paper an approach of using a passive microwave sensor for ice detection scenarios on rotor blades is investigated. The used passive microwave sensor is a designed material operating at frequencies in the GHz range and enables the detection of ice accretion. The design and operation principle of the proposed sensor as well as the applied manufacturing and integration technologies are presented. Moreover, simulations and measurements are performed to evaluate the sensor concept. The usage of this sensor system bears the potential to reduce the down time of the wind turbines and hence increases energy yields. Since the system also causes additional costs, an approach for evaluating the economic efficiency of the sensor system is outlined as well.