Lassager, M. (2018). Technological and operational perspectives for the planning and operation of wind turbine generators under cold climate conditions [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2018.60817
In the last decades wind energy became a cornerstone in the integration of renewable energy sources to the electrical energy production mix all over the world. The continuous development and integration of wind energy projects led more and more to project sites in remote and complex areas. The first wind energy projects in the Alpine Area were realized in the early 2000 years. Next to the challenging logistical and infrastructural issues during the construction period the operators of the wind energy projects faced the highly underestimated issue of the influence of atmospheric icing. Due to safety reasons, the Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) had to be stopped and the staff of the operator had to wait, till the ice on the WTGs was melted by higher ambient temperatures. After a successful observation of ice-free rotor blades, the WTG had to be started on site, manually. Due to missing technologies of effective ice detection systems and efficient deicing systems the economical losses were enormous. The author of the Master Thesis has made a research on the background information starting from the political framework in the European Union and Austria, to wind energy technology in general and a deep understanding of the cold climate conditions. For the planning of wind farms, the author exemplifies the calculations and studies that assess the risk of ice throw and create a corresponding park layout and risk concept. The author has analyzed the available technologies for ice protection systems, divided into 2 main categories: active de-icing (involving energy consumption) and passive. Also, the author examined the importance of the risk analysis in order to identify potential events that can negatively impact persons, assets and the environment, and to implement control measures during the operation phase that eliminate or reduce the potential risk-related consequences. During the case study, the author analyzed the evolution of different technologies and strategies for the operation, risk management and economy of a given area in the Eastern Alps in Austria.