Recent Progress in the Development and Evaluation of Rain and Solid Particle Erosion Resistant Coatings for Leading Edge Protection of Wind Turbine Blades

Abstract

In recent years, wind energy has gained widespread attention and has been regarded as one of the renewable energy resources for the future. However, surface erosion of wind turbine blades, which are key components of wind turbines, can degrade the aerodynamic properties of blades, thereby, reducing the energy efficiency and service life. It has been estimated that wind turbine blade erosion can reduce annual energy production by 20–25% with severe erosion. In this sense, understanding and mitigating of leading edge erosion of wind turbine blades caused by rain and solid particles are critical to develop efficient technologies for wind turbine blades. To protect the wind turbine blades, various types of polymer-based coatings have been developed. In general, polymer composites offer excellent strength, durability, flexibility, ease of fabrication, and low cost. This comprehensive review is aimed to provide broad information and recent developments about the characteristics of leading edge erosion by rain and solid particles, their mechanisms, testing methods and associated standards, and development of erosion protection coatings for wind turbines. Updated advances in characteristics of polymeric protective coatings, process of coating development, coating materials, coating types, and simulation for the coating development against rain and solid particle erosions have also been addressed in this review.