Under exactly the RIGHT conditions, it is possible for ice to form on turbine blades. However, like airplane wings need to be ‘de-iced’ to perform properly, turbine blades become inefficient when their aerodynamic shape is changed by a coating of ice, and they slow down and eventually stop. Wind turbine technology has evolved SUBSTANTIALLY over the past 30 years, and modern DESIGNS include several strategies to prevent ice buildup: some use HEATING elements in the blades, some use SENSORS to detect buildup and shut down the turbine, and others use blade materials that are specially designed to not receive water (ie: ice simply can’t attach to the blade, so it can’t build up).

Under exactly the right conditions, it is possible for ice to form on turbine blades. However, like airplane wings need to be ‘de-iced’ to perform properly, turbine blades become inefficient when their aerodynamic shape is changed by a coating of ice, and they slow down and eventually stop. Wind turbine technology has evolved substantially over the past 30 years, and modern designs include several strategies to prevent ice buildup: some use heating elements in the blades, some use sensors to detect buildup and shut down the turbine, and others use blade materials that are specially designed to not receive water (ie: ice simply can’t attach to the blade, so it can’t build up).