Abstract: A wind turbine has a nacelle mounted atop a tower, with a support system configured around a base portion of the tower. The support system includes a plurality of support fins spaced radially around the base portion. Each of the support fins has a continuous header member secured to the tower and a continuous face member extending radially outward and downward from the header member towards ground. The support fins include a web extending between the header member and face member. The support fins extend from the tower with a length and at an acute extension angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tower so as to provide vertical and lateral support around the circumference of the tower.

Abstract: A tower assembly for use with a modular tower is provided. The tower assembly includes a plurality of assembly panels each including a pair of opposing circumferential edges, and, a plurality of connectors for use in coupling adjacent assembly panels of the plurality of assembly panels to one another, each connector of the plurality of connectors including an outer flange, an inner flange, and a spacer extending therebetween, the outer flange is spaced a distance from the inner flange such that a first slot and a second slot are defined between the outer and inner flanges, each of the first and the second slots is sized to receive one of the assembly panel circumferential edges therein to enable the adjacent assembly panels to be coupled to one another.

Abstract: An assembly system for use in assembling a lattice tower section is provided. The system comprises a platform, a first mounting assembly coupled to the platform, and, a second mounting assembly coupled to the platform, the first and second mounting assemblies are configured to secure opposite ends of a plurality of leg members used in assembling the lattice tower section such that each of the plurality of leg members is suspended a distance from the platform, at least one of the first and second mounting assemblies is configured to selectively rotate a leg member of the plurality of leg members suspended therefrom.

Abstract: A fiberoptic multi-parameter sensing system for monitoring turbomachinery system shaft static and dynamic torques, vibration modes and associated operation status includes a multi-furcated fiber bundle based optical splitter configured to transmit light to a surface of at least one turbomachinery system shaft through a plurality of optical fiber bundles disposed at a plurality of locations in proximity to the surface of the at least one shaft, in which the plurality of locations together are arranged in a substantially axial direction between the ends of the at least one shaft.

Abstract: A composite section including a concentric arrangement of inner and outer laminates having an interstice therebetween is provided. Both the inner and outer laminates include a matrix material and a fabric layer. A plurality of tubes having an inner cavity, are situated in the interstice of the inner and outer laminates. A reinforcing material is disposed in the interstice and along the length of the concentric arrangement unoccupied by the plurality of tubes to create a composite section. A plurality of tension members are threaded though the plurality of tubes to provide post tensioning to each of the composite sections. The components are easily transported and assembled to form composite sections to provide cost effective on-site tower formation. Also provided is an apparatus to form the inner and outer laminates and a method of formation of the composite section.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a wind turbine is described. The wind turbine includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades and an upwind wind condition measurement device. The method includes measuring a wind condition upwind from the rotor using the upwind wind condition measurement device and providing the measured wind condition to a processor. The method also includes determining a control algorithm parameter, based at least partially on the measured wind condition, that controls at least one of a wind turbine response bandwidth, a wind turbine response speed, and a wind turbine control error range. The method also includes determining a wind turbine operating command based at least partially on the control algorithm parameter and applying the wind turbine operating command to operation of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A fiberoptic system for clearance detection between rotating and stationary turbomachinery components is presented. The system comprises an optical fiber probe comprising a plurality of optical fibers, at least one of the optical fibers comprising a transmission fiber and at least one of the optical fibers comprising a signal fiber; a light source for providing light through the transmission fiber towards a target; filters for receiving light from the signal fibers, at least two of the filters for filtering different wavelengths; and at least one photodetector for receiving filtered light from the filters.

Abstract: A lattice tower for use with a wind turbine. The lattice tower includes at least one support extending from a supporting surface. At least one cross-support member is coupled to the support to form the lattice tower. A reinforcement assembly is coupled to the support to transfer at least a portion of a bending load and a torsional load induced to the support to the reinforcement assembly to facilitate reducing a local distortion of the support.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite tower, includes at least partially filling a form with a curable resin; at least partially curing the resin in the form; raising the form partly over the at least partially cured resin; and at least partially filling the raised form with more curable resin applied against the cured resin.

Abstract: A method for using excess energy generated by a renewable power generation system including at least one renewable power generator to treat organic waste material to generate crude oil. The method includes providing a renewable power generation management system operatively coupled to the renewable power generation system. The renewable power generation management system receives operational data from a pump load operatively coupled to the renewable power generator, and/or operational data from an electrical grid operatively coupled to the renewable power generator. Based at least in part on anticipated energy requirements, excess energy is supplied to the pump load to facilitate treating the organic waste material to generate crude oil.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic polymer-based contact sensor measures ambient pressure based on the resistivity changes across the sensor under different ambient pressures. The pressure sensor may applied to airfoil structures such as wind turbine blades without impacting the blade structure and fluid dynamic characteristics. The sensor may also be applied to fluid measurements. The pressure measurements are used to measure blade performance with high fidelity. The pressure measurements are transmitted to processing to determine blade characteristics and environment including flow separation, stagnation point, angle of attack, lift and drag and wind speed. Further processing of the pressure distribution may identify wind shear, up-flow and yaw error.

Abstract: A method for installing an offshore wind turbine system includes driving a cylindrical annular monopile or a substructure into the soil. The monopile includes a flanged portion configured to support a wind turbine tower or a superstructure. The flanged portion extends radially from a peripheral surface of the monopile. The method further includes mounting a wind turbine tower directly on to the monopile, wherein the wind turbine is supported by the flanged portion of the monopile.

Abstract: A control system for a wind turbine having a tower, a generator, and at least one rotor blade. The control system includes a sensor configured to measure an angle of inclination of the tower with respect to a surface, at least one pitch assembly configured to adjust a pitch angle of the rotor blade, and a controller configured to control at least one of the pitch assembly and the generator based on the measured angle of inclination.

Abstract: A wind anemometer comprises a light source for transmitting pulsed light signals, a receiver for receiving backscattered signals from airborne particles for each pulse of the transmitted pulsed light signals, a detector for detecting the received backscattered signals, and a processor to determine location of the airborne particles with respect to the anemometer based on the detected backscattered signals. The processor estimates wind velocity using changes in location of the airborne particles over at least one time interval.

Abstract: A method for using excess energy generated by a renewable power generation system including at least one renewable power generator to treat organic waste material to generate crude oil. The method includes providing a renewable power generation management system operatively coupled to the renewable power generation system. The renewable power generation management system receives operational data from a pump load operatively coupled to the renewable power generator, and/or operational data from an electrical grid operatively coupled to the renewable power generator. Based at least in part on anticipated energy requirements, excess energy is supplied to the pump load to facilitate treating the organic waste material to generate crude oil.

Abstract: A control system for a wind turbine having a tower, a generator, and at least one rotor blade. The control system includes a sensor configured to measure an angle of inclination of the tower with respect to a surface, at least one pitch assembly configured to adjust a pitch angle of the rotor blade, and a controller configured to control at least one of the pitch assembly and the generator based on the measured angle of inclination.

Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a wind turbine is described. The wind turbine includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades and an upwind wind condition measurement device. The method includes measuring a wind condition upwind from the rotor using the upwind wind condition measurement device and providing the measured wind condition to a processor. The method also includes determining a control algorithm parameter, based at least partially on the measured wind condition, that controls at least one of a wind turbine response bandwidth, a wind turbine response speed, and a wind turbine control error range. The method also includes determining a wind turbine operating command based at least partially on the control algorithm parameter and applying the wind turbine operating command to operation of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A modular surface foundation for wind turbine space frame towers, an apparatus to form panels of housing members of modular surface foundation, and method of forming the modular surface foundation for wind turbine space frame towers is provided. The modular surface foundation comprises a plurality of footing members, and a housing member disposed on each of the footing members, the housing members extending from the footing members and attaching to one or more structural members forming a portion of a wind turbine tower, wherein the housing member provides support and increased height for the space frame tower and includes an interior space.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite tower, includes at least partially filling a form with a curable resin; at least partially curing the resin in the form; raising the form partly over the at least partially cured resin; and at least partially filling the raised form with more curable resin applied against the cured resin.

Abstract: A fiberoptic system for clearance detection between rotating and stationary turbomachinery components is presented. The system comprises an optical fiber probe comprising a plurality of optical fibers, at least one of the optical fibers comprising a transmission fiber and at least one of the optical fibers comprising a signal fiber; a light source for providing light through the transmission fiber towards a target; filters for receiving light from the signal fibers, at least two of the filters for filtering different wavelengths; and at least one photodetector for receiving filtered light from the filters.