Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a plurality of wind turbine blades, a blade anti-ice system including a blade heating arrangement associated, wherein the anti-ice system includes a control system and a power supply configured to provide power to the blade heating arrangement, characterised in that the power supply comprises a power converter. A benefit of using a power converter to supply electrical power to the heating devices is that power can be applied in a stepless manner. A much finer degree of control is therefore achieved over the thermal energy applied to the blade since the power can be ramped up gradually as the system controller determines that the icing conditions are becoming more severe. As a result of the use of the power converter, the magnitude of thermal energy that is applied to the blade can be increased gradually and smoothly.

Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a plurality of wind turbine blades, a blade anti-ice system including a blade heating arrangement associated, wherein the anti-ice system includes a control system and a power supply configured to provide power to the blade heating arrangement, characterised in that the power supply comprises a power converter. A benefit of using a power converter to supply electrical power to the heating devices is that power can be applied in a stepless manner. A much finer degree of control is therefore achieved over the thermal energy applied to the blade since the power can be ramped up gradually as the system controller determines that the icing conditions are becoming more severe. As a result of the use of the power converter, the magnitude of thermal energy that is applied to the blade can be increased gradually and smoothly.

Abstract: A method of starting up a wind turbine includes heating first and second components, the first component having a first minimum operating temperature and the second component having a second minimum operating temperature. Excess heat is generated after the second component has been heated to the second minimum operating temperature. The excess heat is transferred to the first component to assist heating the first component to the first minimum operating temperature. The first and second components are cooled after reaching the first and second minimum operating temperatures.

Abstract: A method of starting up wind turbine (10) comprises heating first and second components, the first component (32) having a first minimum operating temperature and the second component (42) having a second minimum operating temperature. Heat loss is generated after the second component has been heated to the second minimum operating temperature. The heat loss is transferred to the first component to assist heating the first component to the first minimum operating temperature. The first and second components are cooled after reaching the first and second minimum operating temperatures.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and method for controlling the brake of a wind turbine are provided. During operation of the wind turbine, pressurized working fluid in the hydraulic system is blocked from being supplied to the brake. Even if some of this fluid does reach the brake, it is drained to prevent a pressure build-up and activation. To activate the brake, this drainage is stopped and the pressurized fluid is supplied to the brake. The blocking and unblocking the pressurized working fluid may be controlled by first and second activation valves arranged in parallel in a supply line that communicates the working fluid to the brake.

Abstract: A hydraulic station in a hydraulic system of a wind turbine includes a tank for storing working fluid, first and second pumps fluidly connected to the tank, first and second flow paths extending from the respective first and second pumps to a hydraulic circuit, and first and second relief valves in fluid communication with the respective first and second flow paths. The first pump and first relief valve are controlled based on maintaining pressure of the working fluid in the hydraulic circuit between a first minimum limit and first maximum limit. If the pressure falls below the first minimum limit, the second pump and second relief valve are controlled in addition to the first pump and first relief valve, with the control then based on a second maximum limit and second minimum limit.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and method for controlling the brake of a wind turbine are provided. During operation of the wind turbine, pressurized working fluid in the hydraulic system is blocked from being supplied to the brake. Even if some of this fluid does reach the brake, it is drained to prevent a pressure build-up and activation. To activate the brake, this drainage is stopped and the pressurized fluid is supplied to the brake. The blocking and unblocking the pressurized working fluid may be controlled by first and second activation valves arranged in parallel in a supply line that communicates the working fluid to the brake.

Abstract: A hydraulic station in a hydraulic system of a wind turbine includes a tank for storing working fluid, first and second pumps fluidly connected to the tank, first and second flow paths extending from the respective first and second pumps to a hydraulic circuit, and first and second relief valves in fluid communication with the respective first and second flow paths. The first pump and first relief valve are controlled based on maintaining pressure of the working fluid in the hydraulic circuit between a first minimum limit and first maximum limit. If the pressure falls below the first minimum limit, the second pump and second relief valve are controlled in addition to the first pump and first relief valve, with the control then based on a second maximum limit and second minimum limit.