Quantification of wind turbine energy loss due to leading‐edge erosion through infrared‐camera imaging, numerical simulations, and assessment against SCADA and meteorological data

Abstract Quantification of the performance degradation on annual energy production (AEP) a wind farm due to leading‐edge (LE) erosion turbine blades is important design cost‐effective maintenance plans and timely blade retrofit. In this work, effects LE horizontal axis turbines are quantified using infrared (IR) thermographic imaging blades, as well meteorological SCADA data. The average AEP loss with estimated from data be between 3% 8% expected power capture. impact capture found higher at lower hub‐height speeds (peak around 50% rated speed) turbulence intensity incoming associated stable atmospheric conditions. effect investigated IR thermography identify laminar turbulent transition (LTT) position over airfoils blades. Reduction in flow region about 85% 87% suction pressure sides, respectively, observed for erosion. Using LTT locations geometry blade, an 3.7% calculated element momentum simulations, which comparable magnitude through