Abstract: A system for generating power includes a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system that provides control commands to a plurality of turbine controllers to cause a windfarm to output power at a level within power parameters in a setpoint. Each turbine controller is installed at a corresponding wind turbine of a plurality of wind turbines in the windfarm. The system also includes a backup system comprising a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC receives turbine state information from the SCADA system that characterizes an operational state of each of the plurality of wind turbines in the windfarm and detects that the SCADA system is offline. The PLC also selectively provides start and stop commands to a plurality of terminal interface units (TIUs) to cause the windfarm to output power at a level within the power parameters identified in the setpoint in response to the detecting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring wind turbines, generally comprising: measuring sound levels of a plurality of wind turbines; checking the sound levels of each of the plurality of wind turbines against sound levels of others of the plurality of wind turbines; detecting that one of the plurality of wind turbines is an anomalous wind turbine based upon the checking; and generating a corrective action alarm signal identifying the anomalous wind turbine based upon the detecting.

Abstract: A voltage pattern analysis system and method may automate aspects of the process of mapping or assigning utility meters to a specific transformer or other distribution node by identifying misassociated meters and correcting a system-wide transformer assignment or distribution node assignment. When a meter's voltage signal does not correlate well with other meters' voltage signals on the same transformer, the meter is likely misassociated to that transformer. A pairwise voltage signal correlation may be computed for all meters assigned to a transformer and a voltage signal correlation for every transformer in the system, or a subset thereof, may be imputed. Individual meter correlations may then be compared with the transformer correlation. For meters identified as misassociation candidates, transformers or other distribution nodes within a specified radius may be considered for reassignment of the meter.

Abstract: Groups of wind turbines at a wind farm are controlled based on detection of volant animal swarms. A risk score is defined for each of a plurality of wind turbine groups of the wind farm at a default risk score based on predetermined data. A respective operational parameter is set for each wind turbine of each of the wind turbine groups based on the respective risk score. The presence of a volant animal swarm is detected in a region associated with a given one of the wind turbine groups via a volant animal detection system. The risk score of the given one wind turbine group and an adjacent wind turbine group is changed from the default risk score to temporary risk scores in response to detection of the volant animal swarm.

Abstract: A controller of a power generation system can control coupling of a photovoltaic (PV) array to an inverter coupled to a power grid. The controller can also monitor an output voltage of a DC energy storage source disconnectedly coupled to the inverter and monitor an output power of the inverter. The controller can also couple the PV array to the DC energy storage source and adjust an effective output voltage of the PV array based on the output voltage of the DC energy storage source to charge the DC energy storage source.

Abstract: Various embodiments determine a remaining battery capacity of a battery in an energy storage battery support system. In one embodiment, a battery is operated at a state of charge which may include being charged, being discharged, and being idle. A change in the state of charge is detected after a duration of time. The amount of remaining battery capacity is calculated based upon the duration of time and the state of charge of the battery during the duration of time. The operating, detecting and calculating are repeated until the amount of remaining battery capacity reaches a predetermined value. The remaining battery capacity after the duration of time is calculated using the battery capacity at the beginning of the duration of time. The battery may be used as an energy source in an electric power distribution grid. The battery is replaced when the remaining battery capacity reaches an end-of-useful-life value.

Abstract: Groups of wind turbines at a wind farm are controlled based on detection of volant animal swarms. A risk score is defined for each of a plurality of wind turbine groups of the wind farm at a default risk score based on predetermined data. A respective operational parameter is set for each wind turbine of each of the wind turbine groups based on the respective risk score. The presence of a volant animal swarm is detected in a region associated with a given one of the wind turbine groups via a volant animal detection system. The risk score of the given one wind turbine group and an adjacent wind turbine group is changed from the default risk score to temporary risk scores in response to detection of the volant animal swarm.

Abstract: A system can include a data server that calculates a risk level of each of a plurality of wind turbines at a turbine site based at least in part on a base risk level and mortality data that characterizes a mortality of a volant animal caused by a given wind turbine of the plurality of wind turbines. The system can also include a turbine monitor server that stores the risk level of each wind turbine in a database and generates a graphical dashboard based on data in the database. The system can further include a turbine site control server that retrieves data from the database and sets cut-in speed of each of the plurality of wind turbines based on the data retrieved from the database.

Abstract: A foldable utility cart is lightweight and easily conveyed up and down a wind turbine for transporting parts and tools used for repair and maintenance of a wind turbine. A set of wheels allow the cart to be easily rolled along the nacelle and an attachment bar secures the cart to a guidance rail.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating electrical current among battery sets connected in a substantially parallel configuration. A respective state of health is determined for each respective battery set in a plurality of battery sets. The respective state of health reflects a respective present amount of total energy able to be stored by each respective battery set relative to a specification of the respective battery set. A respective allocation of electrical current for each battery set in the plurality of battery sets is determined based on the respective state of health for each respective battery set. A current flow through each respective battery set is configured to its respective allocation of electrical current based on determining the respective allocation.

Abstract: A method for performing uptower maintenance of a wind turbine in order to replace the main bearing on the turbine shaft is disclosed. Embodiments of this method to perform maintenance may include installing a rotor lock to resist rotation of the main shaft during maintenance, providing a lifting device in order to elevate the main shaft, removing the main bearing from its main bearing housing, and installing a replacement split main bearing. A crane may also be installed uptower to assist in the maintenance.

Abstract: A safety system may include a shield for protecting or shielding personnel operating in a personnel working area from a hazard provided on a structure. The structure may be a wind turbine, the hazard may be a projecting flange of the wind turbine tower, and the personnel working area may be a ladder inside the wind turbine tower. The shield may have a bend or curvature when installed in order to cover the hazard. The shield may include a plurality of wings projecting from an intermediary portion of the shield. The wings may be separated from each other by a wing gap. Other structures, working areas, and hazards are contemplated and described in the disclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus use a programmable logic circuit to receive data representing environmental conditions such as irradiance, temperature, wind, snow, elevation, and the like, in a given location, to provide an input signal to a simulated variable power source which produces an output that approximates the output of a variable power source such as a photovoltaic panel that is subject to such environmental conditions. Power from the simulated variable power source is separately directed to each of a number of power converters and the efficiency of each power converter is tested to determine the optimum power converter for use with the variable power source in the given location.

Abstract: A method of configuring a renewable energy curtailment and control system uses a master controller and a plurality of controllers configured to control a cluster of renewable energy resources to deliver predetermined amounts of actual power and reactive power to a point of interconnect with a grid in accordance with contractual requirements with users of electrical power while reducing reactive power flow between renewable resources in the cluster.

Abstract: A safety system may include a shield for protecting or shielding personnel operating in a personnel working area from a hazard provided on a structure. The structure may be a wind turbine, the hazard may be a projecting flange of the wind turbine tower, and the personnel working area may be a ladder inside the wind turbine tower. The shield may have a bend or curvature when installed in order to cover the hazard. The shield may include a plurality of wings projecting from an intermediary portion of the shield. The wings may be separated from each other by a wing gap. Other structures, working areas, and hazards are contemplated and described in the disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for monitoring wind turbines, generally comprising a microphone for picking up acoustic emissions from a wind turbine and outputting a signal corresponding to the emissions; a filter for splitting the signal into a plurality of signals according to a plurality of frequency bands; and a processor for processing the plurality of signals and generating sound level data corresponding to at least a subset of the frequency bands. The system compares the sound level data with a sound threshold and generates an alarm signal when the sound level data exceeds the sound threshold. Alternatively, the system may include different thresholds corresponding to the different frequency bands, and an alarm can be generated when one or more of the different thresholds are exceeded by the different signals in the different frequency bands.

Abstract: A method of lowering a wind turbine blade after removal from a wind turbine lowers the blade in a vertical position to a point near the ground, and rotates it to a horizontal position for emplacement on a cradle. A winch is situated in the nacelle of the wind turbine. A cable extends downward from the winch to the blade root where it may be secured to a load cell. A tip end shoe is placed around the lower portion of the blade, and includes a crane hook receiving component that is used when the blade orientation is being changed. Tag lines are attached to the root and the tip end shoe, and extend to points on the ground where technicians manipulate them to prevent the blade from being blown into the tower.

Abstract: A method of configuring a renewable energy curtailment and control system uses a master controller and a plurality of controllers configured to control a cluster of renewable energy resources to deliver predetermined amounts of actual power and reactive power to a point of interconnect with a grid in accordance with contractual requirements with users of electrical power while reducing reactive power flow between renewable resources in the cluster.

Abstract: A system and method disclosed may include a dynamic pressure sensor or probe having a wave guide and wave guide tube and a temperature sensor disposed therethrough in order to optimally install and position the temperature sensor to measure combustor flame characteristics. The dynamic pressure sensor is preferably positioned or mounted on the outer casing of the combustor. By taking advantage of the placement of an existing dynamic pressure sensor, a temperature sensor—for instance a fine wire temperature probe—can be disposed through the interior of the dynamic pressure sensor so that combustion flame characteristics can be measured near the combustion liner.

Abstract: A method of configuring a renewable energy curtailment and control system uses a master controller and a plurality of controllers configured to control a cluster of renewable energy resources to deliver predetermined amounts of actual power and reactive power to a point of interconnect with a grid in accordance with contractual requirements with users of electrical power while reducing reactive power flow between renewable resources in the cluster.