HIREC test installation results for wind power generation
We applied super hydrophobic coating HIREC100 * to key areas of the blade and conducted a test application to confirm whether it is effective in improving power generation efficiency.
*HIREC100 is the predecessor to HIREC-R. The performance of both products is equivalent.
Key points of problems and challenges
In wind power generation, reduced power generation efficiency due to snow and ice accumulation in winter can be a problem. While there are methods that melt snow and ice by heating the blades, the high cost of heating electricity and the runback icing problem, where the melted water refreezes on the blades, are challenges.
Key points for countermeasures
A test application was conducted in which super hydrophobic coating HIREC was painted on key areas of the blades to confirm whether it would be effective in improving power generation efficiency.
We found that the power generation efficiency improved by approximately 9 percentage points compared to when HIREC was not applied.
Implementation details
- place
- Wind turbines located in high-altitude mountainous areas of Europe (regions where winter temperatures drop below -10°C and snowfall occurs).
- Implementation content
- We compared the power generation efficiency over one year between a standard wind turbine without HIREC coating and a wind turbine with HIREC coating applied to key areas of the blades.
- result
- Power generation loss rate of wind turbines not painted with HIREC (average of all units): Approximately 27.5%
Power generation loss rate of wind turbines painted with HIREC: approximately 18.5%↓