Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for testing a mechanical brake of a wind rotor shaft of a wind turbine, including: applying a predetermined desired brake torque to the mechanical brake; applying a predetermined drive torque to the wind rotor shaft by a motor; and, measuring a parameter indicative the rotational speed of the wind rotor shaft; and, determining the performance based on the measured value of parameter indicative for the rotational speed.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine erected in a body of water, comprising: measuring vibrations of the wind turbine during operation; identifying at least one periodic component of said measured vibrations, wherein said periodic component is associated with interaction of said body of water and said wind turbine; and, operating at least one controller of said wind turbine so that water-induced vibrations are reduced.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for reducing mechanical oscillation in a wind power plant which comprises a plurality of rotor blades, a wind turbine drive train and a generator, wherein the rotor blades are rotatably connected to the generator by the wind turbine drive train. The method comprises the steps: mathematically modeling the dynamical response and/or transfer function of a group of rotatable parts of the wind power plant, the group of rotatable parts comprising at least the wind turbine drive train, and determining dynamical response and/or transfer function of the group; in operation of the wind power plant, determining a first parameter characteristic of the mechanical oscillation at a first location, controlling the operation of at least one rotatable part in response to the dynamical response and/or transfer function of the group and at least the first parameter. In effect, resonance induced mechanical wear is reduced which leads to an increased life time of the wind power plant.

Abstract: A system for controlling a machine includes a first controller, a second controller, and a comparator. During a first cycle, the first controller generates a control signal to the machine while the second controller generates a predicted parameter signal. During the first cycle, the comparator transmits a feedback signal to the second controller if a predetermined threshold is not met. A method for controlling a machine includes transmitting a control signal from a first controller to the machine and generating a predicted parameter value in a second controller. The method further includes transmitting a feedback signal to the second controller if a predetermined threshold is not met.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a floating wind turbine is described. The floating wind turbine includes a wind turbine generator coupled to a support tower. The method includes measuring a tower inclination, determining an operating parameter control value based on at least the measured tower inclination, and adjusting wind turbine operation based at least partially on the operating parameter control value.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a method for operating a wind turbine having a generator, the generator having for each phase a plurality of coils, wherein the plurality of coils of each phase includes at least one group of coils including at least two coils, the group of coils including at least two subgroups including at least one coil, wherein the generator has a first state in which the coils of the group of coils are electrically connected in series, and, the generator has a second state in which the at least two subgroups are switched electrically in parallel; the method including: changing the state of the generator.

Abstract: A method for installing software data at at least one hardware component of a wind energy device is provided. The at least one hardware component is adapted to operate on the basis of the software data. The method includes providing the software data, detecting a network parameter indicating an operational condition of a network, determining, on the basis of the network parameter, whether the network is in an appropriate network download condition, if the network is in an appropriate network download condition, downloading of the software data from a download server to a data center, detecting an operation parameter indicating an operational condition of the at least one hardware component, determining, on the basis of the operation parameter, whether the at least one hardware component is ready for software installation, and if the at least one hardware component is ready for software installation, installing the software data from the data center at the at least one hardware component.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine during a loss of communication is described that includes coupling a pitch controller to at least one wind turbine blade and to a wind turbine controller, establishing communication between the pitch controller and the wind turbine controller, and detecting a loss of communication between the pitch controller and the wind turbine controller. After a loss of communication is detected, the method further includes waiting for a first predetermined amount of time to elapse, independently pitching the at least one wind turbine blade to a predetermined position, waiting for a second predetermined amount of time to elapse, and maintaining the at least one wind turbine blade in the predetermined position until a rotation of the at least one wind turbine blade stops.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method and a measuring device adapted for determining a rotational position of at least one rotor blade of a wind turbine. The method includes a step of measuring a gravity induced blade moment of the at least one rotor blade. Then, an actual rotational position of the rotor blade is determined from the measured gravity induced blade moment.

Abstract: A method of positioning a wind turbine rotor comprises defining a predetermined angular position in a main rotation plane of the rotor and controlling a rate of deceleration of the rotor, such as to stop the rotor at the predetermined angular position.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine having rotor with at least one blade, includes sensing an icing hazard for the blade; and moving the at least one blade into a position to reduce the icing hazard.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and scheduling operations and maintenance (O&M) activities for a facility that includes a plurality of machines is described. The system includes a user computer, a memory device for storing O&M data and resource availability data for the plurality of machines, and a processor coupled to the memory device. The processor is programmed to communicate with the user computer via an electronic data communication device. The processor is programmed to receive data corresponding to at least one completed O&M activity via the user computer and to determine at least one recommended O&M activity based at least partially on the stored O&M data and the completed O&M activity data. The processor is also configured to analyze resource availability data and to schedule the recommended O&M activity based on resource availability data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preassembled tower section of a wind power plant and a method of transporting a tower section of a wind power plant, the method comprising the steps providing the tower section at a preassembly site, preassembling at least one electronic subsystem of the wind power plant onto the tower section, transporting the preassembled tower section from the preassembly site to an installation site. In effect transport thereof is considerably simplified and a higher degree of modular design and preassembly is achieved.

Abstract: A system for operating a wind turbine during a curtailment operation is described. The wind turbine includes a generator and a wind turbine rotor having at least one rotor blade. The wind turbine also includes a drive train that includes at least one shaft coupled to the wind turbine rotor and configured to drive the generator. The system includes a control system configured to increase a speed of rotation of the rotor beyond an optimum rated speed during the curtailment operation of the wind turbine, and an extraction device configured to extract inertial energy stored in the drive train upon release of the curtailment operation.

Abstract: A power system for a wind turbine having a measurement device configured to detect an overfrequency condition within an electrical system and a controller communicatively coupled to the measurement device. The controller is configured to switch the wind turbine between a power generation mode and a power consumption mode based on an existence of a detected overfrequency condition.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine during a loss of communication is described that includes coupling a pitch controller to at least one wind turbine blade and to a wind turbine controller, establishing communication between the pitch controller and the wind turbine controller, and detecting a loss of communication between the pitch controller and the wind turbine controller. After a loss of communication is detected, the method further includes waiting for a first predetermined amount of time to elapse, independently pitching the at least one wind turbine blade to a predetermined position, waiting for a second predetermined amount of time to elapse, and maintaining the at least one wind turbine blade in the predetermined position until a rotation of the at least one wind turbine blade stops.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine having rotor with at least one blade, includes sensing an icing hazard for the blade; and moving the at least one blade into a position to reduce the icing hazard.

Abstract: A system for operating a wind turbine during a curtailment operation is described. The wind turbine includes a generator and a wind turbine rotor having at least one rotor blade. The wind turbine also includes a drive train that includes at least one shaft coupled to the wind turbine rotor and configured to drive the generator. The system includes a control system configured to increase a speed of rotation of the rotor beyond an optimum rated speed during the curtailment operation of the wind turbine, and an extraction device configured to extract inertial energy stored in the drive train upon release of the curtailment operation.

Abstract: A control system for a wind turbine, the control system having at least one measurement device configured to measure at least one operating condition of the wind turbine and a first controller. The first controller is configured to calculate an operating limit of the wind turbine based on the measured operating condition and to adjust the operating limit based on a limiting condition of a component of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A tower foundation is provided having at least one cavity formed within the foundation. At least a portion of the cavity is located below ground level, and the cavity contains electrical equipment.