A probabilistic rainfall model to estimate the leading-edge lifetime of wind turbine blade coating system

Rain-induced leading-edge erosion of wind turbine blades is associated with high repair and maintenance costs. For efficient operation maintenance, models are required that provide estimates blade coating lifetime at a real scale. In this study, statistical rainfall model established describes probabilistic distributions rain parameters critical for site-specific assessment. A new droplet size distribution (DSD) determined based on two years’ onshore data an inland site in the Netherlands obtained DSD compared those from literature. Joint probability functions intensities sizes also as well coastal Netherlands. Then, application proposed presented 5 MW turbine, where combined statistics along analytical surface fatigue lab-scale degradation. The expected found three to four times less operating than - primarily due higher speeds. Further, robustness consistent varying periods used analyses.