Abstract: This paper presents a comparative methodology for evaluating and selecting wind turbine blade ice protection systems for cold-climate operating conditions. Passive, active, and hybrid technologies are classified, including resistive electric heating, hot-air systems, icephobic coatings, and combined solutions. A multicriteria evaluation framework based on the TOPSIS method, using min–max normalization, is proposed. The framework considers energy, economic, operational, and technological criteria, including annual energy production gain, system energy consumption, capital and operating costs, technological maturity, climatic applicability, and integration and maintenance complexity. The methodology is tested for three generalized icing scenarios differing in icing duration and severity. The results show that the preferred technology is scenario-dependent: hot-air systems are preferable under occasional icing, whereas resistive electric heating becomes more advantageous under regular and severe icing. Passive coatings are insufficient as standalone protection measures.

Keywords: wind turbine, blade icing, ice protection system, TOPSIS method, multicriteria evaluation, cold climate

Pages: 197-210