Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing flicker generated by a wind farm. Accordingly, the farm controller detects at least one parameter of the wind farm indicative of an output flicker resulting from a synchronized flicker of at least two turbines of the plurality of wind turbines. Upon detecting the parameter, the farm controller generates a command offset for at least one wind turbine of the at least two wind turbines. An operating parameter of the at least one wind turbine is changed based on the command offset so as to de-synchronize the synchronized flicker in the output signals of the at least two wind turbines.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing flicker generated by a wind farm. Accordingly, the farm controller detects at least one parameter of the wind farm indicative of an output flicker resulting from a synchronized flicker of at least two turbines of the plurality of wind turbines. Upon detecting the parameter, the farm controller generates a command offset for at least one wind turbine of the at least two wind turbines. An operating parameter of the at least one wind turbine is changed based on the command offset so as to de-synchronize the synchronized flicker in the output signals of the at least two wind turbines.

Abstract: A method for initializing startup of a wind turbine includes measuring a first wind condition at the wind turbine at a first moment in time. The method also includes measuring a second wind condition at the wind turbine at a subsequent, second moment in time. Further, the method includes estimating an acceleration parameter of the wind turbine as a function of the first wind condition and the second wind condition. Moreover, the method includes comparing the acceleration parameter to a predetermined threshold. As such, the method includes initializing a first startup process for the wind turbine when the acceleration parameter is at or below a predetermined threshold. Further, the method includes initializing a second startup process for the wind turbine when the acceleration parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold, the second startup process being faster than the first startup process.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for reducing loads of a wind turbine. The method includes monitoring, via a turbine controller, a rotor blade of the wind turbine for faults. If a fault is detected, the method includes determining an operational status of the wind turbine. If a predetermined operational status is present at the same time the fault is present, the method also include actively yawing a nacelle of the wind turbine away from an incoming wind direction until either the fault is corrected or cleared and/or the operational status changes.

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: Power generation stabilization control systems and methods include monitoring a frequency of the power grid. In response to detecting a frequency event occurring in the power grid, the method includes activating a control scheme in order to meet one or more grid requirements of the power grid. The control scheme includes increasing a power output of the wind turbine to, at least, a pre-event measured grid power. Further, the control scheme includes calculating a power correction factor for a power set point as a function of, at least, the frequency event. Moreover, the control scheme includes adjusting the power set point via the power correction factor such that the power output follows a predetermined trajectory. In addition, the control scheme includes controlling, via a turbine controller, the wind turbine based on the adjusted power set point for as long as the control scheme is activated.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine during partial load operation includes determining a power output of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining whether the power output is below a rated power of the wind turbine. If the power output is at the rated power, the method includes maintaining a speed set point of the wind turbine equal to a rated speed set point. However, if the power output is below the rated power, then the method includes varying, via a controller, the speed set point of the wind turbine as a function of a torque of the wind turbine in a non-monotonic torque-speed relationship.

Abstract: A method for initializing startup of a wind turbine includes measuring, via one or more sensors, a first wind condition at the wind turbine at a first moment in time. The method also includes measuring, via the one or more sensors, a second wind condition at the wind turbine at a subsequent, second moment in time. Further, the method includes estimating, via the processor(s), an acceleration parameter of the wind turbine as a function of the first wind condition and the second wind condition. Moreover, the method includes comparing, via the processor(s), the acceleration parameter to a predetermined threshold. As such, the method includes initializing, via the processor(s), a first startup process for the wind turbine when the acceleration parameter is at or below a predetermined threshold.

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 operating a wind turbine during partial load operation includes determining a power output of the wind turbine. The method also includes determining whether the power output is below a rated power of the wind turbine. If the power output is at the rated power, the method includes maintaining a speed set point of the wind turbine equal to a rated speed set point. However, if the power output is below the rated power, then the method includes varying, via a controller, the speed set point of the wind turbine as a function of a torque of the wind turbine in a non-monotonic torque-speed relationship.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for reducing loads of a wind turbine. The method includes monitoring, via a turbine controller, a rotor blade of the wind turbine for faults. If a fault is detected, the method includes determining an operational status of the wind turbine. If a predetermined operational status is present at the same time the fault is present, the method also include actively yawing a nacelle of the wind turbine away from an incoming wind direction until either the fault is corrected or cleared and/or the operational status changes.

Abstract: Power generation stabilization control systems and methods include monitoring a frequency of the power grid. In response to detecting a frequency event occurring in the power grid, the method includes activating a control scheme in order to meet one or more grid requirements of the power grid. The control scheme includes increasing a power output of the wind turbine to, at least, a pre-event measured grid power. Further, the control scheme includes calculating a power correction factor for a power set point as a function of, at least, the frequency event. Moreover, the control scheme includes adjusting the power set point via the power correction factor such that the power output follows a predetermined trajectory. In addition, the control scheme includes controlling, via a turbine controller, the wind turbine based on the adjusted power set point for as long as the control scheme is activated.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing oscillation loads of a wind turbine induced by high turbulence and/or combined with other environmental conditions are provided. The method includes determining at least one wind parameter at the wind turbine; monitoring an operating condition of the wind turbine; determining, by a processor, a variance of at least one of the monitored operating condition or a plurality of the wind parameters, wherein the variance is indicative of an oscillation occurring at one or more wind turbine components; determining, by a processor, an operating set point based on the variance; and, operating the wind turbine based on the operating set point when the variance indicates that the oscillation has a frequency within a certain frequency band so as to modify the frequency, wherein the modified frequency is outside of the frequency band and reduces oscillation loads occurring at the one or more wind turbine components.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine system may generally include controlling a wind turbine to operate at a speed and torque setting within a permissible operating region defined between maximum and minimum operating curves, receiving a speed de-rate request and/or a torque de-rate request to de-rate the wind turbine based on a limiting constraint of the wind turbine system, determining an adjusted speed setting and/or an adjusted torque setting for the wind turbine based on the speed de-rate request and/or the torque de-rate request, determining whether an adjustment of the wind turbine operation to the adjusted speed setting and/or the adjusted torque setting would place the turbine outside the permissible operating region and, if the adjustment would place the operation outside the permissible operating region, adjusting the speed setting and/or the torque setting to a new speed and/or torque setting defined along the maximum or minimum operating curve.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for protecting a rotary machine in a high noise environment. In one embodiment, the method includes a step of measuring a vibration signal during operation of the rotary machine. Another step includes modulating the vibration signal at a desired frequency to generate a modulated signal having a direct current (DC) value. The desired frequency varies as a function of an operational parameter of the rotary machine. The method also includes a step of filtering the modulated signal via one or more low-pass filters. Another step includes comparing an amplitude of the filtered signal to a threshold amplitude for one or more components of the rotary machine. The threshold amplitude is indicative of an imbalance within one or more components of the rotary machine. The rotary machine is then operated based on the comparison so as to protect the rotary machine from damage caused by the imbalance within the one or more components of the rotary machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing excessive loading on a wind turbine are disclosed. The method includes determining a current wind turbine parameter using at least one operating condition via a processor, the operating condition indicative of wind turbine operation; storing the current wind turbine parameter in a memory store over a predetermined time period; calculating a standard deviation of a plurality of the stored current wind turbine parameters; determining a future wind turbine parameter; calculating a maximum wind turbine parameter as a function of the standard deviation of the plurality of stored wind turbine parameters and the future wind turbine parameter; and, controlling the wind turbine based on a difference between the maximum wind turbine parameter and a parameter setpoint to prevent excessive loading from acting on the wind turbine.

Abstract: A control system for a wind turbine includes a detecting system configured to determine at least one of a rotor load, a wind shear, a wind speed, and a load imbalance due to wind shear. An adjusting system is configured to adjust a shaft moment set point correction value based on at least one of the rotor load, the wind shear, the wind speed, and the load imbalance. A compensating system is configured to compute a shaft moment correction command based on the shaft moment set point correction value output from the adjusting system. A pitch system is configured to adjust a pitch of at least one blade of the wind turbine based on the shaft moment set point correction command, or a yaw system is configured to adjust the yaw position of a rotor based on the shaft moment set point correction command.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing oscillation loads of a wind turbine induced by high turbulence and/or combined with other environmental conditions are provided. The method includes determining at least one wind parameter at the wind turbine; monitoring an operating condition of the wind turbine; determining, by a processor, a variance of at least one of the monitored operating condition or a plurality of the wind parameters, wherein the variance is indicative of an oscillation occurring at one or more wind turbine components; determining, by a processor, an operating set point based on the variance; and, operating the wind turbine based on the operating set point when the variance indicates that the oscililation has a frequency within a certain frequency band so as to modify the frequency, wherein the modified frequency is outside of the frequency band and reduces oscillation loads occurring at the one or more wind turbine components.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for controlling power ramp rates in renewable variable power generation systems. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for limiting power ramp rates. The method can include regulating collective power output of a plurality of variable energy sources by monitoring collective power output of the plurality of variable energy sources, and controlling collective power output of the plurality of variable energy sources with the plurality of power control signals.

Abstract: A control system for a wind turbine includes a detecting system configured to determine at least one of a rotor load, a wind shear, a wind speed, and a load imbalance due to wind shear. An adjusting system is configured to adjust a shaft moment set point correction value based on at least one of the rotor load, the wind shear, the wind speed, and the load imbalance. A compensating system is configured to compute a shaft moment correction command based on the shaft moment set point correction value output from the adjusting system. A pitch system is configured to adjust a pitch of at least one blade of the wind turbine based on the shaft moment set point correction command, or a yaw system is configured to adjust the yaw position of a rotor based on the shaft moment set point correction command.