1. International Wind-Diesel Workshop Mar. 11, 2011
Icing in Alaska
International Wind-Diesel Workshop Mar. 11, 2011
Rich Stromberg /

2. Tom Ainsworth NWS

3. Tom Ainsworth NWS

4. Tom Ainsworth NWS

5. Atqasuk Hoar Frost – Light Rime
“Data recovery in Atqasuk was marginal with 63 to 73 percent data return from the anemometers and wind vane. The missing data represents the windier winter months when data recovery was extremely poor. This poor data recovery was due to soft rime ice (hoarfrost), beginning in October and lasting to early May.”
Photo: R. Hafner/WCE
Photo: D. Vaught/V3

6. Newton Peak Rime Ice

7. Nome Region Wind Model – 50m AGL

8. Warm/moist air off the coast can cool as it rises over inland hills/mountains

9. Newton Peak Met Tower

10. Newton Peak Met Tower

11. Newton Peak Rime Ice

12. Newton Peak Rime Ice

13. Newton Peak Rime Ice

14. Newton Peak Tower Collapse

15. Newton Peak Rime Ice
Photo: R. Hafner/WCE

16. Newton Peak Rime Ice

17. Newton Peak Rime Ice
Photo: R. Hafner/WCE

18. Icing Summary
Super-cooled liquid exists in a cloud well below 0 deg C.
Meteorological studies are essential prior to wind development.
Presence of icing/ice-free sites is not an “either/or” state, rather a gradient.
Find the balance between better wind regimes vs. icing losses.
Very site specific based on terrain, predominant wind directions and presence of moist air masses.
Some icing can impact turbine output and even affect turbine survivability.