Over the next three years and in partnership with Senvion Canada, the TechnoCentre éolien (TCE), college centre for technology transfer in wind energy affiliated with the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, will carry out a project that aims to optimise the control function of Senvion MM wind turbines in icing conditions.
The objective consists of maximizing energy production while minimizing risk to the structural integrity of the turbine and its components. These objectives will be achieved by means of a measurement campaign on four Senvion MM CCV wind turbines currently operating at several wind farms in Quebec in moderate-to-severe icing conditions. The turbines will also be fitted with additional meteorological instruments and icing sensors. Meteorological, operational, icing load and structural load data will be analysed and correlated. The turbines' control function in icing conditions will be optimised based on the results of analyses and simulations. The total value of this project is CAN$ 1,183,985. The project benefits from a research subsidy of CAN$ 448,032 granted by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles in liaison with the TechnoCentre éolien. A contribution from Senvion Canada estimated at CAN$ 735,953 completes the cost of the project.
