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The Conversation USA

The science behind frozen wind turbines – and how to keep them spinning through the winter

  • Written by Hui Hu, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University
imageIce can be a wind turbine's worst enemy.AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Winter is supposed to be the best season for wind power – the winds are stronger, and since air density increases as the temperature drops, more force is pushing on the blades. But winter also comes with a problem: freezing weather.

Even light icing can produce enough surface...

Read more: The science behind frozen wind turbines – and how to keep them spinning through the winter

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