A Review on Icing Detection and Anti-icing Coating Technologies for Wind Turbine Blades

ZENG Guofang; ZHANG Xiongbo; CUI Juan; SHU Fengyuan; DENG Jia; LEI Bing; YUAN Xin

doi:10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2025.07.016

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Equipment Environmental Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (7) : 121-130. DOI: 10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2025.07.016

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A Review on Icing Detection and Anti-icing Coating Technologies for Wind Turbine Blades

ZENG Guofang¹, ZHANG Xiongbo², CUI Juan², SHU Fengyuan^2,*, DENG Jia², LEI Bing², YUAN Xin²

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Abstract

This paper comprehensively reviews the current research status of icing detection methods and anti-icing coating technologies for wind turbine blades. In terms of icing detection, the methods are categorized into direct, indirect, and mathematical modeling approaches. Direct detection techniques such as ultrasonic detection, thermal sensing, fiber-optic sensing, and capacitive sensors are detailed with their principles and practical applications. Indirect methods based on environmental monitoring and power curve deviation analysis are discussed, along with research resultson big data models integrating wind farm data and machine learning algorithms. The performance of various detection methods iscompared. For anti-icing coatings, this review focuses on hydrophobic coatings (including silicone and fluorinated polymers), photothermal coatings, and other functional coatings, elucidating their action mechanisms, material properties, and limitations. Hydrophobic coatings reduce ice adhesion by manipulating the contact angle of water droplets, while photothermal coatings rely on solar thermal energy for de-icing but are weather-dependent. Emerging multifunctional composite coatings represent a promising development direction. Finally, it is pointed out thatfuture research should aim to integrate detection method advantages, enhance coating performance, and reduce costs to ensure stable operation of wind power in complex climates and promote renewable energy development.

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wind turbine blades / icing detection on blades / sensor technology / anti-icing coatings / hydrophobic coatings / functional coatings

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ZENG Guofang, ZHANG Xiongbo, CUI Juan, SHU Fengyuan, DENG Jia, LEI Bing, YUAN Xin. A Review on Icing Detection and Anti-icing Coating Technologies for Wind Turbine Blades[J]. Equipment Environmental Engineering. 2025, 22(7): 121-130 https://doi.org/10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2025.07.016

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