Abstract: A tower bottom cooling device for a wind turbine includes a tower and a heat sink configured to cool a heat generating component arranged at a bottom of the tower; a main air duct is provided inside the tower, and the heat sink is disposed inside the main air duct; a first fan is arranged in the main air duct, and is configured to drive air in the main air duct to flow to cool the heat sink; and the main air duct and an external environment of the tower together form an open cycle.

Abstract: An electrical generator (114) and a power electronics interface (115) for a direct-drive turbine (110). The turbine (110) may include a rotor (112) for transforming kinetic (from, e.g., wind, water, steam) into mechanical energy, the generator (114) for transforming the mechanical into electrical energy, and the power electronics interface (115) for conditioning the electrical energy for delivery to a power distribution grid (124). The interface (115) includes a three-phase single-stage boost inverter (120) for converting a lower DC voltage into a higher AC voltage, and which uses a synchronous reactance of the generator (114) as a DC-link inductance. The turbine (110) has neither the gearbox of indirect-drive designs nor the electrolytic capacitor bank of conventional direct-drive designs, while still allowing for a substantially smaller number of generator poles, resulting in reduced size, weight, complexity, and cost.

Abstract: A method for feeding electrical power at a network connection point into an electrical supply network by at least one wind power installation includes generating electrical power from wind, feeding the generated electrical power or a portion thereof into the electrical supply network, offering an instantaneous reserve for additionally feeding or reducing the feeding into the electrical supply network in order to support the electrical supply network, and additionally feeding electrical power or reducing the fed-in power up to the offered instantaneous reserve, depending on a network property and/or an external requirement. The method is operative to support the electrical supply network. A reserve level of the offered instantaneous reserve is settable as an offer level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a power converter in a wind turbine system are provided. The wind turbine system can include a generator and a power converter. The power converter can include a plurality of switching devices and a current damping module. A method can include determining, by a control device, a flux magnitude of an air-gap between a rotor and a stator in the generator. The method can further include determining, by the control device, an orientation adjustment reference signal for the current damping module based at least in part on the flux magnitude. The method can further include controlling, by the control device, the power converter based at least in part on the orientation adjustment reference signal.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes a plurality of wind turbine blades; a plurality of hydraulic actuators for controlling respective pitch angles of the wind turbine blades; a first tank storing control oil for the hydraulic actuators; a first hydraulic pump disposed between the plurality of hydraulic actuators and the first tank, for pumping the control oil; a plurality of valves each of which is provided for corresponding one of the hydraulic actuators, for controlling a supply state of the control oil to the hydraulic actuator; and a control part for controlling each of the valves. The control part is configured to, in warm-up of a pitch hydraulic system of the plurality of wind turbine blades, perform an oil transfer operation of changing the pitch angle of the wind turbine blade from a feather side toward a fine side and then returning the pitch angle to the feather side.

Abstract: A method of detecting a damage of a wind turbine blade of a wind turbine rotor includes: a light input step of inputting light into a fiber-optic sensor mounted to the wind turbine blade; a light detection step of detecting reflection light from the grating portion; an obtaining step of obtaining a wavelength fluctuation index representing a fluctuation amount of a wavelength of the reflection light detected in the light detection step; and a detection step. The detection step includes detecting the presence or the absence of the damage of the wind turbine blade based on the wavelength fluctuation index taking account of a correlation between the wavelength fluctuation index of the wind turbine blade and a load index related to a load applied to the wind turbine blade, or a correlation between the wavelength fluctuation index and a temperature index related to a temperature of the wind turbine blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to control of wind turbines where a noise measure is taken into account. Control of a wind turbine is described where a control trajectory is calculated based on noise measure, the noise measure being determined from a predicted operational trajectory. In embodiments the predicted operational trajectories are calculated by using a model predictive control (MPC) routine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a hybrid direct-current (DC) transmission system. The method comprises: adjusting the total number of inserted sub-modules of a modular multi-level converter and the polarity of an output level of the inserted sub-modules in real time, according to a DC voltage of a rectifier station at other end; or adjusting the total number of inserted sub-modules of a modular multi-level converter and the polarity of an output level of the inserted sub-modules in real time, according to the magnitude of a DC current or DC power; or adjusting the total number of inserted sub-modules of a modular multi-level converter and the polarity of an output level of the inserted sub-modules in real time, according to both the magnitude of the DC current and the DC voltage of the rectifier station at the other end. The method can effectively control the DC voltage and the direct current of a hybrid DC transmission system, avoiding the power transmitting breakdown.

Abstract: A monitoring system (100) monitors displacement of a wind turbine tower and includes at least one plumb bob with an upper part and a lower part, each plumb bob being configured to be pivotally suspended at its upper part, via a suspension device, from a point above so as to attain a rest position in a rest situation, and each said plumb bob has one or more sensing surfaces (12, 12?). One or more suspension devices means (10) suspend the at least one plumb bob. Two or more sensors (14, 14?, 14?), each being configured to sense, in a specific sensing direction (16, 16?, 16?), a distance to a plumb bob, provide displacement data. At least two of the two or more sensors (14, 14?, 14?) are arranged in a sensing vicinity of a plumb bob, with at least two of the specific sensing directions (16, 16?, 16?) not being parallel to each other.

Abstract: A method to control a wind power installation is provided. The wind power installation includes a generator and a converter. The generator is configured to convert wind power into electrical power and to provide the electrical power from the generator to the converter. The converter is configured to adapt and to provide the electrical power to an electrical grid. The converter is operable to comply with pre-determined grid code requirements during a grid fault. An amount of electrical power, which is present in the wind power installation during the grid fault, is fed into the generator. The generator is operable to convert the respective amount of electrical power into a generator loss.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine, in particular a method for controlling pitch of one or more blades of a wind turbine and related system. The method comprises collecting first data indicative of a dynamic condition of the first wind turbine blade and the rotor, the first data comprising rotor data and first deflection data, the rotor data being indicative of the azimuth position and rotational velocity of the rotor in a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis, and the first deflection data being indicative of the position, speed and acceleration of one or more parts of the first wind turbine blade.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind power installation having a rotor with rotor blades with an adjustable blade angle is provided. The installation is operated in a full-load mode for delivering a system-specific maximum power and in a partial-load mode for delivering a lower power, up to the system-specific maximum power. The installation in the partial-load mode operates according to choice in a normal mode or a limited mode, in each case based on an operating characteristic, which specifies a relationship between a rotational speed (n) of the rotor and the power to be delivered. A first operating characteristic is provided for operating the installation in the normal mode, and at least one second operating characteristic is provided for operating in the limited mode. The second operating characteristic provides a higher power for at least one rotational speed range than the first operating characteristic for the rotational speed range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to control of wind turbines where a fatigue load measure is taken into account. Control of a wind turbine is described where a control trajectory is calculated based on a fatigue load measure, the fatigue load measure being determined from a predicted operational trajectory. In embodiments the predicted operational trajectories are calculated by using a model predictive control (MPC) routine, and the fatigue load measure includes a rainflow count algorithm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric energy conversion method and system with at least two conversion units (14), comprising control means (12) establishing the maximum output current of the operative conversion modules, as well as the commutation frequency of the entire or of a sub-group of the operative conversion modules to thus increase the availability of the conversion system in the event of failures.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine power generating apparatus includes a step of obtaining a wind direction of a wind; a step of obtaining at least one of a wind velocity of the wind or an index of turbulence degree of the wind velocity; and a step of selecting an operation mode of the wind turbine power generating apparatus from among a plurality of operation modes including a normal operation mode and at least one load-suppressing operation mode in which a load applied to a wind turbine blade is smaller than in the normal operation mode, on the basis of whether the at least one of the wind velocity or the index of turbulence degree is at least a threshold. The threshold of the at least one of the wind velocity or the index of turbulence degree is variable in accordance with the wind direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine having a wind rotor, a generator that is driven by the latter and that acts in combination with a converter to generate electrical power, a rotational-speed closed-loop control system and, acting in combination therewith, a power open-loop control system, the rotational-speed closed-loop control system emitting a setpoint rotational-speed signal (nset). According to the invention, provided between the rotational-speed closed-loop control system and the power open-loop control system is an offset module, which is designed to generate an offset signal (noffset) and to add it to the setpoint rotational-speed signal (nset). The wind turbine according to the invention makes it possible to reduce a drop in power following requested additional power. The invention additionally comprises a corresponding method for operating a wind turbine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a wind turbine. The wind turbine comprises a power generator configured to generate power dependent on a power reference and a pitch system configured to adjust the pitch of a blade of the wind turbine dependent on a pitch request. The control system comprises a controller configured to determine the pitch request dependent on an adjustable gain. A gain scheduler comprised by the control system is configured to set the adjustable gain to an increased gain value if a rate of change of the power reference, e.g. an external power reference, exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a control system for monitoring and control of a micro-grid (100). The control system comprises a first controller for controlling of at least one of a power generation source and an electrical load, and a second controller (245) for controlling a rotating electrical machine (246). The rotating electrical machine (246) is electrically connectable to an electrical bus (205) of the micro-grid (100) for one of receiving electrical power and supplying electrical power. The second controller (245) is configured to coordinate with the first controller for operating the rotating electrical machine (246) by engaging the clutch (244) to couple the rotating electrical machine (246) to the prime mover (242), for supplying power.

Abstract: A ventilation assembly is defined comprising a fan located in the top of a drying chamber or furnace and which recirculates gases at high temperatures and/or humidity; a drive shaft with its mounts or bearings, on which is mounted the fan, and a separation chamber which houses the shaft bearings and separates said bearings from the inside of the drying chamber or furnace. The separation chamber is open to the external environment and is sized such that a person may enter it to perform maintenance of the shaft bearings without the need to enter the dryer or furnace. The ventilation assembly may further include the pre-assembly in the factory of the engine, its transmission system and/or one or more air renewal vents. Furthermore, the assembly can be complemented with trusses to further facilitate installation on the walls of the dryer or furnace.

Abstract: A method for operating an inverter for coupling an electric machine designed for operation on AC voltage, to an AC voltage network, includes the steps of determining a torque-related machine current component composed of electrical machine currents of the electrical machine, detecting an actual value for a magnetic flux, determining an actual value of a machine torque of the electric machine by linking the detected magnetic flux to the torque-related machine current component, determining a torque difference between the actual value of the machine torque and a setpoint value of the machine torque of the electric machine, filtering the torque difference by a bandpass filter which is tuned to a machine-side natural frequency, determining a compensation signal by processing a filter output signal of the bandpass filter, and superimposing the compensation signal on the network control signal and/or the machine control signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating wind energy harvesting apparatus for offshore installation, the wind energy harvesting apparatus comprising: an elongated wind turbine body extending along a longitudinal wind turbine body axis, the wind turbine body comprising a lower body portion to be below a water surface when the wind energy harvesting apparatus is in operation and an upper body portion to be above the water surface when the wind energy harvesting apparatus is in operation; wind turbine blades attached to the upper body portion for converting wind energy to rotation of the wind turbine body around the longitudinal wind turbine body axis; an energy converter attached to the wind turbine body for converting the rotation of the wind turbine body in relation to a non-rotatable part to electrical energy; and anchorage means connecting the non-rotatable part to at least one anchor point via at least one float body.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a power converter coupled between a power generator and an electric grid. The method comprises detecting a grid disturbance voltage dip event while the power converter operates in a first phase locked loop (PLL) control mode that establishes a state of synchronization with the electric grid, the power converter electrically coupled to either motor drive inverter or grid-tie inverter, detecting a loss of the state of synchronization with the electric grid in conjunction with progressive charge depletion from a charged state of the dc-link capacitors, switching the converter to a diode mode of operation, switching from the first PLL control mode to a second PLL control mode of operation of the power converter, and re-establishing the state of synchronization to timely pre-empt progressive depletion of charge from the dc-link capacitors while under the second PLL control mode of operation of the power converter.

Abstract: This application describes systems, methods, and devices to enhance the safety and functionality of unmanned rotorcraft by improving reliability, transparency, operational capabilities, and effectiveness. Embodiments include integration of rotorcraft with objects attached to the ground (including kites, balloons, or elevated structures) in order to create safe and visible sky moorings from which devices such as cameras on the craft can operate for extended periods of time while remote control can be used to move and stabilize the camera and/or the kite or balloon to which it is attached. In addition, the rotorcraft in such sky moorings can be enclosed for protection, can employ connections for systems maintenance, and can utilize changeable payload modules having supplies that the rotorcraft can dispatch or use in various contexts such as emergency situations or to provide security at venues with large gatherings of people, such as concerts.

Abstract: A system of a machine includes a network of a plurality of identification devices distributed throughout the machine. Each of the identification devices are embedded in a component of the machine and operable to communicate through a plurality of electromagnetic signals. Each identification device includes a unique code characteristic of the component and the identification device is readable by one or more readers to interrogate the unique code characteristic. Shielding surrounds at least one of the identification devices to contain the electromagnetic signals proximate to the component and a communication path is integrally formed in the component of the machine to route a portion of the electromagnetic signals through the component. A remote processing unit is operable to communicate with the network of the identification devices through the electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A filtering method for the alternating current side of a power conversion system by a filter circuit, and system that includes the filter circuit. Said filter circuit includes a filter capacitor circuit and a damping circuit connected to the filter capacitor circuit. Upon determining that the power conversion system operates under steady state conditions, the damping circuit of the filter circuit is caused to present a first impedance value for the current that flows through said damping circuit, and upon determining that the power conversion system is operating under transient state conditions, said damping circuit is caused to present a second impedance value for said current.

Abstract: A microgrid controller for controlling one or more edge units in a distributed energy system is presented. In some embodiments, the microgrid controller communicates with one or more network adjacent edge units, each of the one or more network adjacent edge units being coupled to a power grid, determines an instruction set to execute with the one or more network adjacent edge units, provides operating parameters for the one or more network adjacent edge units to execute the instruction set, and monitors the one or more edge units over a network that is not associated with the internet. In situations where the internet fails, microgrid controller determines a set of instructions to execute and provides instructions to the network adjacent edge units.

Abstract: A method for protecting personnel working in a wind turbine nacelle or hub includes monitoring a nacelle roof hatch and a hub access hatch, each hatch having a switch configured therewith. When at least one of the hatches is detected as opened, a control system detects if a rotor lock has been engaged. If the rotor lock has not been engaged, the control system triggers a rotor brake to stop rotor and drivetrain component rotational movement and actuates a first control lockout between the respective switch configured with the open hatch and the rotor brake. The control system also initiates a control lockout that prevents release of the rotor brake until the switch indicates that the open hatch has been closed and the first control lockout has been reset.

Abstract: A wind turbine system (20, 70) is connected to an electrical grid (42) by an inverter (38) that provides turbine terminal voltage (Vt) support to the grid during a grid low voltage fault that is concurrent with a lack of real power production from the generator (30) by providing reactive power to the grid. A processor (46) controls the inverter to preserve a minimum voltage on a local DC bus (34) by stopping the reactive power output when the DC bus voltage drops to a threshold value (59) that is above a low bus voltage trip setpoint (56). An energy storage device (48) such as a battery may be connected to the DC bus to provide power that supports a prolonged ride-through capability during the grid fault.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for operating a wind turbine, the wind turbine particularly comprising a tower and a rotor with rotor blades. The pitch angles of the rotor blades are adjusted to generate a force on the rotor and the tower. The force is adjusted to counteract and damp an oscillation. The adjustment is enabled by an activation decision unit, if the activation decision unit decides that certain parameters characterising the oscillation or loads of the tower indicate a requirement and/or if the activation decision unit determines that the generated force is sufficient to counteract an oscillation of the tower.

Abstract: A virtual power plant is presented. A virtual power plant couples to one or more virtual power plant units that provide power and/or storage of power to a power grid. In some embodiments, a method of operating a virtual power plant includes receiving a request from a requester; determining whether the request can be performed by a set of units; reporting the result to the requester; and if a subsequent execution request is received from the requester, then executing the request.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine includes: determining a value of a wind speed of an incident air mass at the wind turbine; if the determined value of the wind speed is greater than a first threshold value for the wind speed: reducing a rotational speed of a rotor of the wind turbine, and maintaining or increasing a generator torque acting upon the rotor; if the determined value of the wind speed is greater than a second threshold value for the wind speed, the second threshold value being greater than the first threshold value: reducing the rotational speed of the rotor, and reducing the generator torque acting upon the rotor.

Abstract: A bipolar DC power transmission scheme including first and second DC poles, each including a respective DC power transmission medium extending between first and second ends; a plurality of converters wherein each end of the transmission medium of each of the poles is operatively connected to at least one of the converters to form a rectifier and an inverter at opposite ends of the DC power transmission media; and a controller to operate at least one converter of one of the rectifier and inverter in a control mode and at least one converter of the other of the rectifier and inverter in a second control mode in response to a fault occurring on either of the poles. Additionally, the first control mode decreases and the second control mode increases the operating DC voltage of the or each corresponding converter from a normal operating voltage value.

Abstract: Distributed maximum power point tracking systems, structures, and processes are provided for power generation structures, such as for but not limited to a solar panel arrays. In an exemplary solar panel string structure, distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) modules are provided, such as integrated into or retrofitted for each solar panel. The DMPPT modules provide panel level control for startup, operation, monitoring, and shutdown, and further provide flexible design and operation for strings of multiple panels. The strings are typically linked in parallel to a combiner box, and then toward and enhanced inverter module, which is typically connected to a power grid. Enhanced inverters are controllable either locally or remotely, wherein system status is readily determined, and operation of one or more sections of the system are readily controlled. The system provides increased operation time, and increased power production and efficiency, over a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: Provided are a ship and a power management method of the ship. The ship comprises: a power grid; at least one generator that is connected to the power grid and supplies electricity to the power grid; a high-capacity battery connected to the power grid, and charged by receiving the electricity from the power grid or discharged to supply power to the power grid; a plurality of load components connected to the power grid; and a controller for receiving generator load information from the at least one generator, sensing a voltage of the power grid to calculate a current load and an average load, and controlling the generator to bear the average load and the high-capacity battery to bear a difference load between the current load and the average load.

Abstract: An offshore monopile wind turbine having an elongate monopile column formed of a lower section, an intermediate section, and an upper section, secured together by connecting collars. A triangular support structure having a triangular three-sided bottom portion extends horizontally outward from one side of the lower connecting collar includes a first pair of lower horizontal tubular beams diverging outwardly with outer ends welded to a respective vertical skirt pile sleeve, a third tubular beam extending between the skirt pile sleeves. An upper pair of tubular beams diverge outwardly and downwardly from the upper connecting collar and are welded to a respective skirt pile sleeve. A horizontal wind turbine platform and elongate wind turbine tower secured to the top end of the elongate upper section of the monopile column includes a nacelle at the top of the turbine tower includes a rotor with three rotor blades.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for controlling a yaw drive of a wind turbine when a native yaw drive control system is non-operational. The system includes an external sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of a wind condition experienced by the wind turbine. The system also includes an external controller communicatively coupled to the external sensor. The external controller is configured to control the yaw drive based on measurement signals received from the external sensor. The external sensor and the external controller are electrically isolated from the native yaw drive control system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for micrositing a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines. The method includes (a) determining, via a loads optimization function, one or more wind directions with or without turbine shadow for each of the wind turbines in the wind farm, (b) determining, via the loads optimization function, at least one additional wind parameter for each of the wind directions, (c) calculating, via simulation, loads for each of the wind turbines in the wind farm based on the identified wind directions with or without turbine shadow for each of the wind turbines in the wind farm and the at least one additional wind parameter for each of the wind directions, and (d) determining a site layout for the wind farm based on the calculated loads.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and/or device for generating electrical power from a solar cell and rotational energy from a blade of a wind turbine. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device a blade of a wind turbine, a solar cell, and a rotor system. The blade may be blade configured to catch wind from a surrounding area to rotate the blade and convert kinetic energy into rotational energy. The solar cell may be connected to an exterior surface of the blade. The solar cell may be configured to convert solar energy into electric energy. The rotor system may be electrically connected to the solar cell to receive the electric energy from the solar cell. The rotor system may be configured to remain stationary relative to the blade as the blade rotates about an axis. The rotor system is configured to send the electric energy to a power source.

Abstract: The invention presents a method for operating a horizontal axis wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising a tower and a rotor with at least one rotor blade, the rotor being connected to the tower, and being adapted to drive a generator connected to a utility grid, wherein a pitch angle of each rotor blade is adjustable, the method comprising detecting, when the wind turbine is in an idling power producing situation in relation to the utility grid, a tower oscillation, and controlling, when the wind turbine is in the idling power producing situation, the pitch angle of the at least one rotor blade so as to produce aerodynamic forces counteracting the detected tower oscillation.

Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine (WEA), which has a generator for supplying electric power to an electric supply grid, is provided. After being operated in a first operating state with a first power output and a first rotational speed, the wind turbine is set to a second operating state with a second power output and a second rotational speed. In order to set the wind turbine to the second operating state, an aerodynamic power output which is available for supply is determined, a target rotational speed is determined from the available output, and a target output to be set for the generator is specified from the target rotational speed.

Abstract: A method for modifying the power output of a wind turbine generator. The power output of a wind turbine generator can be modified based on the rate of fatigue and/or damage calculated for components within the wind turbine generator. Damage and/or fatigue can be calculated based on current or predicted future operating conditions. The turbine operation can be modified if the cost of damage and/or cost of fatigue is less than a value for the electricity produced. In this case, the rate of fatigue is calculated using models of the wind turbine generator or its components, where the model may be based on a metamodel or by an Equivalent Operating Hours approach.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of condition monitoring a WTG (Wind Turbine Generator) comprising acts of collecting and storage of at least the following data sets together with their time stamps. Collection of generator power production measurements. Collection of mechanical status measurements. Collection of generator torque measurements. Collection of nacelle direction measurements. Collection of meteorological conditions measurements. The method compromises a further act of synchronizing the data sets. The invention also relates to a system for condition monitoring a WTG. The invention further relates to a system for visually inspecting a WTG.

Abstract: A method and a control system using the same for coordinating control of a plurality of wind turbines of a wind farm during a fault in a utility grid to which power is to be delivered via at least one cable of the wind farm.

Abstract: A method and associated system for operating a power generation to supply real and reactive power to a grid includes determining a total reactive power demand made on the system during a first, stable grid state. A first reactive power portion of the reactive power demand is supplied by a generator, and a second reactive power portion is supplied by a reactive power compensation device, wherein the second reactive power portion may be greater than the first reactive power portion. Upon detection of a grid fault, the first reactive power portion is increased and the second reactive power portion is decreased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an offshore wind turbine on a floating support structure (1) comprising in combination: a main floater (1) comprising a part of substantially cylindrical shape, a concrete circular element (2) having a diameter greater than the diameter of the main floater, providing a stationary mass at the base of the floater and a damper, supplementary permanent ballast (4) arranged at the base of the main floater, dynamic ballast boxes (3) included in the main floater and distributed ringwise on the periphery of the floater.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a rotational speed of a rotor of a wind turbine having a rotor with blades connected thereon, at least one blade including a blade profile changing equipment, the method including: changing the blade profile dependent on a rotational speed deviation of an actual rotational speed of the rotor or the generator rotor from a reference rotational speed.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a wind turbine from extreme wind gusts includes monitoring a wind speed and a wind direction at the wind turbine. The method also includes determining a wind gust threshold, wherein wind speeds and wind directions exceeding the wind gust threshold, respectively, are indicative of an extreme wind gust occurring at the wind turbine. In addition, the method includes comparing, via a controller, the monitored wind speed or a function thereof and the wind direction or function thereof to the wind gust threshold, respectively. Thus, the method includes implementing, via a controller, a corrective action when the monitored wind speed and the monitored wind direction exceed the wind gust threshold, respectively.

Abstract: A control method for dynamically controlling active and reactive power capability of a wind farm includes obtaining one or more real-time operating parameters of each of the wind turbines. The method also includes obtaining one or more system limits of each of the wind turbines. Further, the method includes measuring at least one real-time wind condition at each of the wind turbines. Moreover, the method includes continuously calculating an overall maximum active power capability and an overall maximum reactive power capability for each of the wind turbines as a function of the real-time operating parameters, the system limits, and/or the real-time wind condition. Further, the method includes generating a generator capability curve for each of the wind turbines using the overall maximum active and reactive power capabilities and communicating the generator capability curves to a farm-level controller of the wind farm that can use the curves to maximize the instantaneous power output of the wind farm.

Abstract: A wind energy extraction apparatus utilizing a separate surface enclosing the turbine rotor is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention includes a slotted and un-slotted duct of specified geometry enclosing a wind turbine rotor in such a manner as to provide acceleration of the ambient air though the rotor at a velocity above that which an open rotor exposed to the freestream would experience, thereby resulting in an increased amount of energy extraction relative to a comparable open rotor. In one aspect, the wind turbine rotor is positioned in the duct at a location downstream of the smallest cross-sectional area of the duct as this will provide the maximum power output. According to another aspect, the rotor geometry is such as to incorporate the effect of the duct on the incoming wind velocity profile.

Abstract: A method for feeding electrical power into an electrical supply network by means of at least one wind farm respectively connected to the supply network via a network connection point, wherein the supply network is to be operated at a network frequency, and each wind farm has a plurality of wind power installations, comprising the steps of determining whether the electrical supply network is operating, starting the at least one wind farm in a black-start mode for the purpose of producing electrical power for feeding into the supply network if the supply network is not operating, operating the at least one wind farm in black-start operation in which electrical power is fed into the supply network and the supply network is operated thereby, wherein the network frequency is specified by the feeding-in of the electrical power in the black-start mode and/or during black-start operation.