Effects of process and environmental factors on wind power production and their mitigation strategies: A comprehensive review

The leading edge of Wind turbine blades (WTBs) is vulnerable to erosion due to the continuous airflow, resulting in power output losses and additional maintenance costs. To address these problems, novel coating technologies have emerged as a critical option for improving WTB’s durability and dynamic performance. This study examines recent advances in turbine blade leading edge erosion with an emphasis on causal pathways and influential parameters, sustainable coating materials, wind power production implications, and retrofitting protection strategies. It critically discusses the various types of coating techniques, including self-healing polymers, hybrid composite coatings, and nanostructured surface treatments, in minimizing surface damage and improving energy production. Moreover, the technological advancements and retrofitting protection strategies of anti-erosion coatings development are thoroughly discussed. The findings of the rain erosion testing indicate that thermoplastic polyurethane is the most appropriate material to be used in the production of wind turbine blades that protect the leading edge from erosion. Leading-edge protection can be enhanced by refining coating structures, boosting damping capacity, layering materials, integrating nano-additives to disperse stress, or forming interwoven network designs. The paper serves as a detailed guide for advanced anti-erosion coatings development to boost the cost-effective operation of the wind turbines, particularly in offshore constraints.