Abstract: Systems and methods for planning a wind farm are provided. One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for planning a wind farm. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, a load for a plurality of wind conditions for a plurality of circumferential sections for a tower of a wind turbine. The method includes accessing, by the one or more processors, a model that predicts wind conditions over a time period. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, a load sustainment parameter for the plurality of circumferential sections for the predicted wind conditions over the time period.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a tower assembly for a wind turbine. The tower assembly includes a lattice tower portion, a tubular tower portion, and a transition region therebetween. The lattice tower portion includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower. Further, the structural members include a plurality of supports and a plurality of cross-support members. The cross-support members are connected between the supports so as to define one or more openings. The tubular tower portion includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The first transition region includes a single-piece connection structure, a plurality of arm members, and a plurality of node connectors. The connection structure has a circumferential body configured to receive the lower portion of the tubular tower portion therein. Further, the node connectors join the plurality of supports of the lattice tower portion to the connection structure via the plurality of arm members.

Abstract: Systems and methods for planning a wind farm are provided. One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for planning a wind farm. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, a load for a plurality of wind conditions for a plurality of circumferential sections for a tower of a wind turbine. The method includes accessing, by the one or more processors, a model that predicts wind conditions over a time period. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, a load sustainment parameter for the plurality of circumferential sections for the predicted wind conditions over the time period.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a tower assembly for a wind turbine. The tower assembly includes a lattice tower portion, a tubular tower portion, and a transition region therebetween. The lattice tower portion includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower. Further, the structural members include a plurality of supports and a plurality of cross-support members. The cross-support members are connected between the supports so as to define one or more openings. The tubular tower portion includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The first transition region includes a single-piece connection structure, a plurality of arm members, and a plurality of node connectors. The connection structure has a circumferential body configured to receive the lower portion of the tubular tower portion therein. Further, the node connectors join the plurality of supports of the lattice tower portion to the connection structure via the plurality of arm members.

Abstract: A system and method for load control of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes: selecting a plurality of wind turbine components for load monitoring; defining a load envelope for each of the selected components and storing the load envelopes in a controller, the load envelopes defining a maximum acceptable load capacity for the respective component that may be at or near the component's design capability; directly or indirectly monitoring loads on the selected components and generating corresponding load signals that are communicated to the controller; with the controller, determining if the loads acting on each of the selected components are within the component's respective load envelope; and the controller initiating corrective action in the event that the load acting on any one of the selected components exceeds the component's load envelope.

Abstract: A system and method for load control of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes: selecting a plurality of wind turbine components for load monitoring; defining a load envelope for each of the selected components and storing the load envelopes in a controller, the load envelopes defining a maximum acceptable load capacity for the respective component that may be at or near the component's design capability; directly or indirectly monitoring loads on the selected components and generating corresponding load signals that are communicated to the controller; with the controller, determining if the loads acting on each of the selected components are within the component's respective load envelope; and the controller initiating corrective action in the event that the load acting on any one of the selected components exceeds the component's load envelope.