Effect of drop‐size parameterization and rain amount on blade‐lifetime calculations considering leading‐edge erosion

Leading-edge erosion (LEE) of wind turbine blades is caused by the impact particles, for example, raindrops, and leads to a loss in power production high maintenance cost. Investigations have shown that reduction tip speed, so-called erosion-safe mode, increases blade lifetime but influence different drop-size parameterizations rain amounts on unclear. This study compares calculations using two parameterizations, which both describe characteristic drop size measurement. Furthermore, changes case amount increased or decreased are investigated as well effect shear exponents. The blade-lifetime based kinetic-energy model an accumulated model. results show parameterization rate 44 times longer compared with situ measurements. large difference probably due underestimation drops first mentioned parameterization. A change about ±17 % only marginal lifetime. For cases models, extension was calculated when reducing speed during specific events. exponents considerable prediction. Overall, primary depending chosen model, where highly sensitive