Abstract: A method for reducing loads of a wind turbine includes determining an angular pitch speed parameter of the rotor blade of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining an operational state of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes comparing the angular pitch speed parameter to a predetermined parameter threshold during turbine shutdown and/or a commanded pitch event. If the operational state corresponds to a predetermined operational state, the method includes yawing a nacelle of the wind turbine away from an incoming wind direction when the angular pitch speed parameter is below the predetermined parameter threshold during the turbine shutdown and/or the commanded pitch event.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a bank of ultracapacitors configured to power an alternating current (AC) pitch motor of a pitch system in a wind turbine is provided. The method includes obtaining, by one or more control devices, data indicative of a voltage associated with the bank of ultracapacitors. The method includes conducting, by the one or more control devices, a test operation of the bank of ultracapacitors at predetermined intervals of time to determine a capacitance associated with the bank of ultracapacitors. The method further includes performing, by the one or more control devices, one or more control actions based, at least in part, on the capacitance or the data indicative of the voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for determining remaining lifetime of a battery, such as a battery used to power a pitch drive system in a wind turbine. In one example implementation, a method can include controlling a discharge of the battery through a load. The method can include obtaining data indicative of a discharge voltage and a discharge current of the battery during discharge through the load. The method can include obtaining data indicative of a temperature associated with the battery during discharge through the load. The method can include determining data indicative of remaining lifetime of the battery as a function of the discharge voltage, discharge current, and the temperature. The method can include performing at least one control action based at least in part on the data indicative of remaining lifetime of the battery.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a bank of ultracapacitors configured to power an alternating current (AC) pitch motor of a pitch system in a wind turbine is provided. The method includes obtaining, by one or more control devices, data indicative of a voltage associated with the bank of ultracapacitors. The method includes conducting, by the one or more control devices, a test operation of the bank of ultracapacitors at predetermined intervals of time to determine a capacitance associated with the bank of ultracapacitors. The method further includes performing, by the one or more control devices, one or more control actions based, at least in part, on the capacitance or the data indicative of the voltage.

Abstract: A method for reducing loads of a wind turbine includes determining an angular pitch speed parameter of the rotor blade of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining an operational state of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes comparing the angular pitch speed parameter to a predetermined parameter threshold during turbine shutdown and/or a commanded pitch event. If the operational state corresponds to a predetermined operational state, the method includes yawing a nacelle of the wind turbine away from an incoming wind direction when the angular pitch speed parameter is below the predetermined parameter threshold during the turbine shutdown and/or the commanded pitch event.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for determining remaining lifetime of a battery, such as a battery used to power a pitch drive system in a wind turbine. In one example implementation, a method can include controlling a discharge of the battery through a load. The method can include obtaining data indicative of a discharge voltage and a discharge current of the battery during discharge through the load. The method can include obtaining data indicative of a temperature associated with the battery during discharge through the load. The method can include determining data indicative of remaining lifetime of the battery as a function of the discharge voltage, discharge current, and the temperature. The method can include performing at least one control action based at least in part on the data indicative of remaining lifetime of the battery.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for autonomous yaw control of a wind turbine. The method includes measuring, via a wind sensor, one or more wind conditions near the wind turbine. Another step includes receiving, via a distributed inputs and outputs (I/O) module, the one or more wind conditions from the wind sensor. The method also includes determining, via the distributed I/O module, a control signal for a yaw drive mechanism of the wind turbine as a function of the one or more wind conditions. Further, the yaw drive mechanism is configured to modify an orientation of a nacelle of the wind turbine. Thus, the method also includes controlling, via the distributed I/O module, the yaw drive mechanism based on the control signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for autonomous yaw control of a wind turbine. The method includes measuring, via a wind sensor, one or more wind conditions near the wind turbine. Another step includes receiving, via a distributed inputs and outputs (I/O) module, the one or more wind conditions from the wind sensor. The method also includes determining, via the distributed I/O module, a control signal for a yaw drive mechanism of the wind turbine as a function of the one or more wind conditions. Further, the yaw drive mechanism is configured to modify an orientation of a nacelle of the wind turbine. Thus, the method also includes controlling, via the distributed I/O module, the yaw drive mechanism based on the control signal.