Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring parameters such as the material properties or structural integrity of a wind turbine blade on a wind turbine. An example method comprises detecting light reflected from a wind turbine blade, generating a value based on the detecting, comparing the value to a threshold value and determining a parameter of the wind turbine blade based on the comparing. A further embodiment comprises determining a wind velocity by detecting reflected light from a target area in front of the wind turbine blade. An example system comprises a detector configured to detect light reflecting from a turbine blade and to produce a value representative of the detected light. The system also comprises a comparator configured to compare the value to a threshold value and to determine a parameter of the turbine blade.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to increase efficiency of turbines in wind farms. A sensor is configured to detect direction and speed of an inflow of wind. A controller is configured to generate a control signal based the detected direction and speed of the inflow of wind. A pitch adjustment device configured to adjust pitch of a blade of the turbine based on the control signal.

Abstract: An assembly structure and method for housing a remote lens unit assembly of a laser Doppler velocimeter. The housing includes one or more transceiver telescopes and an optical window. The transceiver telescopes are aligned such that optical beams from the mounted optical transceiver telescopes cross paths at the optical window. The housing is mountable on a wind turbine.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to increase efficiency of turbines in wind farms. A sensor is configured to generate a wind map of an inflow of wind. A controller is configured to generate a control signal based the wind map. A pitch adjustment device configured to adjust pitch of a blade of the turbine based on the control signal.

Abstract: An assembly structure and method for housing a remote lens unit assembly of a laser Doppler velocimeter. The housing includes one or more transceiver telescopes and an optical window. The transceiver telescopes are aligned such that optical beams from the mounted optical transceiver telescopes cross paths at the optical window. The housing is mountable on a wind turbine.

Abstract: A wind turbine power management system and method includes one or more wind turbines at a wind farm and one or more laser sources used to measure wind conditions remote from the wind farm. The laser sources may be collocated with the wind turbines, and are able to measure wind conditions at various predetermined ranges from the wind turbines. The laser sources measure wind conditions at locations that provide 10 to 20 seconds of advance notice, and also at locations that provide 50 to 100 seconds of advance notice. Wind condition at locations that provide 500 or more seconds of advance notice are also measured using remote laser sources.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting high-density wind velocity data for the inflow area of a wind turbine are presented. Wind turbines are provided with one or more wind velocity sensors that provide a plurality of wind velocity measurements to the turbine from various ranges and locations across the inflow. Sensors are proximate to the wind turbine. Sensors mounted on the turbine's nacelle work collaboratively to provide the wind velocity measurements. Sensors mounted on the turbine's hub spin with the turbine blades. Spatial and temporal wind mapping provides improved fidelity of data to the wind turbine control system.