In the world of wind power, the fight against ice has found an unlikely ally in drones. Traditionally, icy conditions on wind turbines have been a costly headache for operators, often leading to days of downtime. But, a team from Fraunhofer IFAM and IPA has developed a drone-based solution, aptly named “TURBO,” to tackle this issue. The crux of this innovation lies in a simple yet effective idea: use drones to apply a special coating to the rotor blades, preventing ice formation. The coating, a concoction of urea and wax, is environmentally friendly and adheres well to the blades. Its … Continue reading Drones Take to the Skies to Combat Wind Turbine Ice Woes: Fraunhofer’s Innovative Solution