Abstract: A turbine controller system and method for a fluid-driven power generation unit may include an electrical circuit that connects to a power source and a rotor of a generator of the fluid-driven power generation unit. A turbine control circuit, which may include multiple circuits, may receive data from sensors or from external sources and may generate a signal to control the generator based on a determination that at least one weather condition exists. Control may be effectuated by motoring the rotor of the generator to mitigate a potential impact of the determined at least one weather condition on the fluid-driven power generation unit.

Abstract: A fluid-driven power generation unit, may include two sets of airfoils disposed on opposite sides of the power generation unit with their leading edges facing a windward end of the power generation unit; a body element having a curved front face and a back disposed, wherein at least a portion of the elongate body element is disposed between the first and second set of airfoils; and a power generation unit disposed in alignment with the body element, the power generation unit including at least a housing, and a turbine and an electrical generation unit actuated by the turbine disposed within the housing. As a fluid flows across the airfoils, the lifting force of the airfoils causes a reduced pressure within the power generation unit, drawing air past the turbine, through the body element and out the back of the body element, thereby extracting power from this secondary fluid flow stream.

Abstract: A fluid-driven power generation unit, may include two sets of airfoils disposed on opposite sides of the power generation unit with their leading edges facing a windward end of the power generation unit; a body element having a curved front face and a back disposed, wherein at least a portion of the elongate body element is disposed between the first and second set of airfoils; and a power generation unit disposed in alignment with the body element, the power generation unit including at least a housing, and a turbine and an electrical generation unit actuated by the turbine disposed within the housing. As a fluid flows across the airfoils, the lifting force of the airfoils causes a reduced pressure within the power generation unit, drawing air past the turbine, through the body element and out the back of the body element, thereby extracting power from this secondary fluid flow stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for both consumer and utility scale energy extraction from flow-based energy sources. The passive system may utilize directing perforations on a surface in order to create and air jet vortex generators. Alternatively the system may provide for flow through discrete orifices aligned with the span of an aerodynamic assembly in a co-flow direction, utilizing a Coanda effect. Further additional configurations include directing flow through a perforated surface skin that is near the trailing edge on the suction side. Even further are embodiments for blowing air directly out of the trailing edge of an airfoil. The disclosed systems and methods support a wide variety of scenarios for fluid flow energy extraction, such as wind or water flow, as well as for related products and services.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for both consumer and utility scale energy extraction from flow-based energy sources. The passive system may utilize directing perforations on a surface in order to create and air jet vortex generators. Alternatively the system may provide for flow through discrete orifices aligned with the span of an aerodynamic assembly in a co-flow direction, utilizing a Coanda effect. Further additional configurations include directing flow through a perforated surface skin that is near the trailing edge on the suction side. Even further are embodiments for blowing air directly out of the trailing edge of an airfoil. The disclosed systems and methods support a wide variety of scenarios for fluid flow energy extraction, such as wind or water flow, as well as for related products and services.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for increasing turbulent mixing in the wake of at least one wind turbine. Doing so, increases efficiency of a wind turbine located in the wake by transferring energy to the wake that was lost when the wind passed through the upwind turbine. Turbulent mixing may be increased by changing the induction factor for a rotor by, for example, altering the pitch of the blades, the RPMs of the rotor, or the yaw of the nacelle. These techniques may be static or dynamically changing. Further, the different induction factors for a plurality of wind turbines may be synchronized according to a predetermined pattern to further increase turbulent mixing.

Abstract: A wind power generating rotor system for a wind turbine. The rotor system includes a rotor assembly having a rotor axis and a plurality of rotor blades structured and arranged for rotation around the rotor axis by wind passing the rotor blades thereby capturing kinetic energy from the wind. A diverter assembly is provided having a plurality of diverters structured and arranged at one or both of inside and outside a perimeter defined by rotation of the rotor blades thereby increasing the power of the rotor system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for increasing turbulent mixing in the wake of at least one wind turbine. Doing so, increases efficiency of a wind turbine located in the wake by transferring energy to the wake that was lost when the wind passed through the upwind turbine. Turbulent mixing may be increased by changing the induction factor for a rotor by, for example, altering the pitch of the blades, the RPMs of the rotor, or the yaw of the nacelle. These techniques may be static or dynamically changing. Further, the different induction factors for a plurality of wind turbines may be synchronized according to a predetermined pattern to further increase turbulent mixing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for increasing turbulent mixing in the wake of at least one wind turbine. Doing so, increases efficiency of a wind turbine located in the wake by transferring energy to the wake that was lost when the wind passed through the upwind turbine. Turbulent mixing may be increased by changing the induction factor for a rotor by, for example, altering the pitch of the blades, the RPMs of the rotor, or the yaw of the nacelle. These techniques may be static or dynamically changing. Further, the different induction factors for a plurality of wind turbines may be synchronized according to a predetermined pattern to further increase turbulent mixing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for both consumer and utility scale energy extraction from flow-based energy sources. The passive system may utilize directing perforations on a surface in order to create and air jet vortex generators. Alternatively the system may provide for flow through discrete orifices aligned with the span of an aerodynamic assembly in a co-flow direction, utilizing a Coanda effect. Further additional configurations include directing flow through a perforated surface skin that is near the trailing edge on the suction side. Even further are embodiments for blowing air directly out of the trailing edge of an airfoil. The disclosed systems and methods support a wide variety of scenarios for fluid flow energy extraction, such as wind or water flow, as well as for related products and services.

Abstract: A method for forecasting wind energy production is disclosed. The method includes collecting power data indicative of power output from a set of wind energy installations with a first wind energy installation at a first site and a second wind energy installation at a second site, and estimating the available power output at a forecasting site located at a geographic position. The estimating is based on power data from the set of wind energy installations by projecting the power data towards the future and/or the geographic position of the forecasting site. Further disclosed is a method for scheduling wind energy production for an electricity grid and a wind energy production forecasting system configured for forecasting output power of a wind energy installation.

Abstract: A wind turbine variable is controlled by detecting air flow conditions in front of the leading edge of the blade. One or more Laser Doppler Anemometers are mounted on or incorporated into the blade to determine air flow velocity in the region in front of the leading edge of the blade. The measured flow conditions may be used to control the position of a control surface such as a trailing edge flap or the rotor speed. The LDAs may comprise lasers of different frequencies to enable more than one component of flow velocity to be measured.

Abstract: A wind turbine for generating electrical energy may include a wind turbine blade including a plurality of vortex generators integrally formed in the outer surface of the blade. The vortex generator includes a first component that defines a portion of the outer surface of the blade and a second component defining the shape of the vortex generator and at least partially surrounded by the first component. A method of manufacturing the wind turbine blade includes disposing a first plurality of layers of structural material over a mold main body and a removable insert member with a shaped cavity. A shaped plug is then pressed into the shaped cavity, and a second plurality of layers of structural material is disposed over the plug and the mold main body to complete manufacture of a wind turbine blade with a vortex generator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for increasing turbulent mixing in the wake of at least one wind turbine. Doing so, increases efficiency of a wind turbine located in the wake by transferring energy to the wake that was lost when the wind passed through the upwind turbine. Turbulent mixing may be increased by changing the induction factor for a rotor by, for example, altering the pitch of the blades, the RPMs of the rotor, or the yaw of the nacelle. These techniques may be static or dynamically changing. Further, the different induction factors for a plurality of wind turbines may be synchronized according to a predetermined pattern to further increase turbulent mixing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optically detecting an angle of attack for an airfoil using light detection and ranging (LIDAR). To determine the angle of attack, one or more light beam pulses may be emitted from the leading edge of the airfoil into an (apparently) flowing fluid at various emission angles. The emitted pulses may be backscattered by particles in the fluid, and the backscattered light may be received by a detector at the airfoil. By range gating the returning pulses of backscattered light, a fluid velocity may be determined for each of the emission angles. The angle of attack is identified as the emission angle corresponding to the maximum velocity. A parameter (e.g., pitch or speed) of the airfoil may be controlled based on the angle of attack. In this manner, the airfoil may be manipulated or the shape of the airfoil may be adjusted for increased performance or efficiency.

Abstract: A hinged connection apparatus is described for securing a first wind turbine component to a second. The first wind turbine component may be a wind turbine blade (10) and the second wind turbine component may be a control surface such as an aileron (11). The first or second wind turbine component comprises at least one hinge housing in which a hinge pin (16, 26) is retained. The hinge pin (16, 26) may be extended from a retracted position into an extended position in which it engages with a hinge recess on the other wind turbine component to form a connection. A locking mechanism is provided for securing the hinge pin in place. The hinge pin may be extended manually or automatically by an actuator.

Abstract: Edgewise stiffness of a wind turbine blade is enhanced by arranging a tension element between anchor points at the ends of a load bearing member in the turbine blade such as a spar or a beam. The tension element is spaced away from the load bearing member on the trailing edge side of the load bearing member by struts and acts as a suspension cable. Several tension elements may be used and a similar tension element may be arranged on the leading edge side of the load bearing member.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade extending in a longitudinal direction from a root end to a tip end and defining an aerodynamic airfoil cross-section between a leading edge and a trailing edge in a chordwise direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, the aerodynamic airfoil cross-section having an effective camber in the chordwise direction; the wind turbine blade comprising: blade body; first device for modifying the aerodynamic surface or shape of the blade, the position and/or movement of the first device relative to the blade body being controlled by a first actuation mechanism; second device for modifying the effective camber of the airfoil cross section; herein, in use, the first device modifies the aerodynamic surface or shape of the blade at a frequency up to a first maximum frequency and the second device modifies the effective camber of the airfoil cross section at a frequency up to a second maximum frequency, the second maximum frequency being higher than the first maximum frequency.

Abstract: A wind turbine has a scanning Lidar arranged on the nacelle. The Lidar has a single scanning beam which scans about a substantially vertical axis to sense wind related data in a measurement volume a predetermined distance from the Lidar. Fast Fourier transforms of data from a plurality of points in the measurement volume are analysed to derive a peak velocity and a measure of variance. A controller receives the peak velocity and measure of variance as inputs and generates an output if the controller determines that the input data shows that the wind conditions are such that damage to the wind turbine is likely.

Abstract: A method for forecasting wind energy production is disclosed. The method includes collecting power data indicative of power output from a set of wind energy installations with a first wind energy installation at a first site and a second wind energy installation at a second site, and estimating the available power output at a forecasting site located at a geographic position. The estimating is based on power data from the set of wind energy installations by projecting the power data towards the future and/or the geographic position of the forecasting site. Further disclosed is a method for scheduling wind energy production for an electricity grid and a wind energy production forecasting system configured for forecasting output power of a wind energy installation.