Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling panel assembly (2) for a wind turbine tower (1). It is arranged to be mounted on such a tower (1) on a section thereof as seen in the circumferential direction. The cooling panel assembly (2) includes at least one cooling panel (2a,2b). According to the invention, the cooling panel assembly (2) includes deflector means (6) mounted at the top of the at least one cooling panel (2a, 2b) such that the deflector means (6) shields the cooling panel assembly (2) from above. The deflector means (6) has substantially the same circumferential extension or more as the other parts of the cooling panel assembly (2). The invention also relates to a wind turbine tower (1) provided with at least one such cooling panel assembly (2).

Abstract: A wind turbine (1) in which the yaw speed of a rotor (4) of the wind turbine (1) is increased, in a direction to reduce yaw error, from a first speed to a faster second speed when at least one of a yaw error threshold and a rate of change in yaw error threshold is exceeded. Yaw error is an amount an axis about which the rotor (4) is rotatable is offset from the wind direction to which the rotor (4) is exposed. As a result, the maximum loads that a wind turbine 1 should withstand may be reduced and lighter wind turbine components result.

Abstract: A method of controlling a wind turbine is provided. The method comprises determining a target fatigue life consumption for each of one or more components of the wind turbine; comparing the target fatigue life consumption with a measure of fatigue life consumption for each of the one or more turbine components; and controlling the turbine power output based upon the comparison. The target fatigue life consumption is determined by combining data indicative of a target rate of accumulation of fatigue damage over at least a portion of the operating life of the wind turbine and data indicative of an expected rate of accumulation of fatigue damage caused by seasonal variations in turbine operating conditions. A corresponding wind turbine controller and wind power plant controller is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling panel assembly (2) for a wind turbine tower (1). It is arranged to be mounted on such a tower (1) on a section thereof as seen in the circumferential direction. The cooling panel assembly (2) includes at least one cooling panel (2a,2b). According to the invention, the cooling panel assembly (2) includes deflector means (6) mounted at the top of the at least one cooling panel (2a, 2b) such that the deflector means (6) shields the cooling panel assembly (2) from above. The deflector means (6) has substantially the same circumferential extension or more as the other parts of the cooling panel assembly (2). The invention also relates to a wind turbine tower (1) provided with at least one such cooling panel assembly (2).

Abstract: Methods and Systems for Generating Wind Turbine Control Schedules A method of generating a control schedule for a wind turbine is provided, the control schedule indicating how the turbine maximum power level varies over time, the method comprising: determining a value indicative of the current remaining fatigue lifetime of the turbine, or one or more turbine components, based on measured wind turbine site and/or operating data; applying an optimisation function that varies an initial control schedule to determine an optimised control schedule by varying the trade off between energy capture and fatigue life consumed by the turbine or the one or more turbine components until an optimised control schedule is determined, the optimisation including: estimating future fatigue lifetime consumed by the turbine or turbine component over the duration of the varied control schedule based on the current remaining fatigue lifetime and the varied control schedule; and constraining the optimisation of the control schedule a

Abstract: A method of controlling a wind turbine is provided. Data is obtained that identifies, based on forecast data, one or more future periods of time during which it would be desirable to over-rate the wind turbine, and measures of the fatigue life consumed by one or more turbine components are determined. The total fatigue life consumed by the one or more turbine components is limited prior to the one or more periods of time by controlling the power output of the wind turbine, in advance of the one or more periods of time, based upon the measure of the fatigue life consumed by the one or more turbine components. For example the overall rate of consumption of fatigue life by the one or more turbine components may be reduced prior to the one or more periods of time commencing. The wind turbine is then over-rated during the one or more identified periods. A corresponding wind turbine and wind power plant controller is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided of controlling a wind turbine. The method comprises over-rating the wind turbine above the wind turbine's rated power in response to a control signal and applying an over-rating control algorithm that restricts the amount of additional power produced by over-rating the wind turbine, due to the control signal, based upon one or more turbine parameters. The method further comprises receiving an over-ride signal; and in response to the over-ride signal, over-riding the over-rating control algorithm to temporarily increase the amount of power output by the wind turbine for a period of time.

Abstract: A method of generating a control schedule for a wind turbine is provided, the control schedule indicating how the turbine maximum power level varies over time, the method comprising: receiving input indicative of the maximum number of times that each of one or more turbine components are to be replaced over the remaining lifetime of the turbine; determining a value indicative of the current remaining fatigue lifetime of the turbine, or one or more of the turbine components, based on measured wind turbine site and/or operating data; and varying a parameter of an initial predefined control schedule that specifies how the turbine maximum power level varies over time.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine is a turbine of the type that is operated to perform a control function that controls the amount of power produced based upon measures of fatigue life consumption of one or more turbine components. The method comprises initialising the control function by: over-riding or bypassing (405) the control function for a predetermined period of time, such that power produced by the wind turbine is not altered based upon the determined measures of fatigue life consumption; during the predetermined period of time, operating (407) one or more fatigue lifetime usage estimation algorithms, to determine a measure of the fatigue life consumed by each of the one or more turbine components; and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, activating (409) the control function and using, in the control function, at least one of the measures of fatigue life consumption determined during the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method of generating a control schedule for a wind turbine is provided, the control schedule indicating how the turbine maximum power level varies over time, the method comprising: determining a value indicative of the current remaining fatigue lifetime of the turbine, or one or more turbine components, based on measured wind turbine site and/or operating data; applying an optimisation function that varies an initial control schedule to determine an optimised control schedule by varying the trade off between energy capture and fatigue life consumed by the turbine or the one or more turbine components until an optimised control schedule is determined, the optimisation including: estimating future fatigue lifetime consumed by the turbine or turbine component over the duration of the varied control schedule based on the current remaining fatigue lifetime and the varied control schedule; and constraining the optimisation of the control schedule according to one or more input constraints; wherein the input const

Abstract: A method of generating a control schedule for a wind turbine is provided, the control schedule indicating how the turbine maximum power level varies over time, the method comprising: determining a value indicative of the current remaining fatigue lifetime of the turbine, or one or more turbine components, based on measured wind turbine site and/or operating data;applying an optimisation function that varies an initial control schedule to determine an optimised control schedule by varying the trade off between energy capture and fatigue life consumed by the turbine or the one or more turbine components until an optimised control schedule is determined, the optimisation including: estimating future fatigue lifetime consumed by the turbine or turbine component over the duration of the varied control schedule based on the current remaining fatigue lifetime and the varied control schedule; and constraining the optimisation of the control schedule according to one or more input constraints; wherein the input constr

Abstract: Methods for calculating a maximum safe over-rated power demand for a wind turbine operating in non-standard conditions include the steps of determining a value indicative of a risk of exceeding an ultimate design load during operation in a standard operating condition, and establishing a maximum over-rated power demand corresponding to a maximum power that the turbine may produce under the non-standard operating condition without incurring an increased risk of exceeding the ultimate design load, with respect to operation in the standard condition. A method of over-rating a wind turbine, a wind turbine controller, a wind turbine and a wind power plant are also claimed.

Abstract: A method of generating a control schedule for a wind turbine is provided, the control schedule indicating how the turbine maximum power level varies over time, the method comprising: receiving input indicative of a target minimum wind turbine lifetime; determining a value indicative of the current remaining fatigue lifetime of the wind turbine or one or more turbine components, based on measured wind turbine site and/or operating data; and varying a parameter of an initial predefined control schedule that specifies how the turbine maximum power level varies over time.

Abstract: A method is provided of controlling a wind turbine that is operating according to a control signal causing the wind turbine to be over-rated above the wind turbine's rated power. The method comprises: obtaining one or more signals, or values of variables, that indicate the fatigue lifetime of one or more of the wind turbine's components from turbine sensors; applying a lifetime usage estimator algorithm to the signals or values to determine measures of the fatigue life consumed by each of the turbine components; calculating, for each of the turbine components, a rate of consumption of fatigue life based on the measures of the fatigue life consumed by each of the turbine components; and controlling the turbine to reduce the amount of power by which the wind turbine is over-rated based on the rate of consumption of fatigue life for at least one of the turbine components.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a wind turbine generator to provide power above a rated level. The wind turbine includes one or more electrical components that conduct current from the internal generator to supply the external grid. The control method calculates the maximum current that the electrical components can carry at the ambient temperature. The calculated current is combined with a measurement of the voltage and an estimate of reactive power in the system to give a maximum power at which the wind turbine can operate without the maximum allowable current being exceeded for the electrical components. The electrical components may be housed in the main electrical panel of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A wind turbine has a Lidar device to sense wind conditions upstream of the wind turbine. Wind speed signals from the wind turbine are processed to detect an extreme operating gust. The detection is performed by differentiating the axial wind velocity and filtering for a period of time. On detection of extreme operating gust the system controller takes necessary evasive action which may include shutting down the turbine or varying the blade pitch angle.

Abstract: Determination of Wind Turbine Configuration The present invention relates to a method and computer system for determining a configuration of a wind turbine of a given wind turbine type, the method comprising the steps of: storing in a database a plurality of combinations of physical and control parameters of the wind turbine that can be varied; determining a plurality of wind flow characteristics at a target location; applying a function which defines a relationship between a performance parameter, a fatigue life estimation, the combination of physical and control parameters and the plurality of wind flow characteristics, to at least some of the plurality of combinations in the database to determine values of the performance parameter and the fatigue life estimation for those combinations; and selecting one of the combinations of physical and control parameters as the configuration of the wind turbine for the target location on the basis of the performance parameter and fatigue life estimation values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and control system comprising at least one cable temperature sensor for measuring cable temperature values for at least one power collection cable (50, 55) connected to a wind turbine (20) and a controller (110) arranged to generate and output an overrating control signal to the wind turbine (20). The output overrating control signal sets an amount by which the power output of the wind turbine (20) is to be overrated. It is determined whether the measured cable temperature values exceed a temperature set point and modifying the overrating control signal to reduce the amount of overrating if the temperature set point is exceeded.

Abstract: A wind turbine power plant comprises a plurality of wind turbines, each having a rated output and under the control of a power plant controller. The power plant also has a rated output which may be over-rated in response to one or more of electricity pricing data, power plant age and operator demand. The power plant controller can send over-rating demand signals to individual turbines. The controllers at the turbines include a fatigue life usage estimator which estimates a measure of the fatigue life consumed by key components of the turbine. If this measure exceeds a target value for any component, over-rating is prevented at that turbine.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a wind turbine generator to provide power above a rated level based upon operational atonal constraints. The wind turbine includes an over-rating controller that calculates an over-rating power demand in response to the values of one or more operating parameters, and communicates this demand to the generator. An over- rating command value is calculated according to set points of the operating parameter(s), the calculation taking into account the extent to which the operating parameter differs from these set points. The over-rating command value may vary proportionately with the difference between the operating parameter and the associated set point. If multiple operating parameters are used then the over-rating power demand may correspond to the minimum over-rating command value. Furthermore, the power demand maybe communicated to wind turbine generators individually, or may be calculated for a wind turbine park.