Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing flicker generated by a wind farm. Accordingly, the farm controller detects at least one parameter of the wind farm indicative of an output flicker resulting from a synchronized flicker of at least two turbines of the plurality of wind turbines. Upon detecting the parameter, the farm controller generates a command offset for at least one wind turbine of the at least two wind turbines. An operating parameter of the at least one wind turbine is changed based on the command offset so as to de-synchronize the synchronized flicker in the output signals of the at least two wind turbines.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine. Accordingly, a controller of the wind turbine detects a loss of traction of the slip coupling between a generator and a rotor of the drivetrain of the wind turbine. In response to detecting the loss of traction, the controller overrides a generator torque setpoint to alter a rotational speed of the generator. In response to the altered rotational speed of the generator, the traction of the slip coupling is increased. Increasing the traction of the slip coupling facilitates an application of generator torque to the drivetrain of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing flicker generated by a wind farm. Accordingly, the farm controller detects at least one parameter of the wind farm indicative of an output flicker resulting from a synchronized flicker of at least two turbines of the plurality of wind turbines. Upon detecting the parameter, the farm controller generates a command offset for at least one wind turbine of the at least two wind turbines. An operating parameter of the at least one wind turbine is changed based on the command offset so as to de-synchronize the synchronized flicker in the output signals of the at least two wind turbines.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine to protect the wind turbine from anomalous operations. Accordingly, in response to receiving data indicative of an anomalous operational event of the wind turbine, the controller initiates an enhanced braking mode for the wind turbine. The enhanced braking mode is characterized by operating the generator at a torque setpoint that generates maximum available torque for a given set of operating conditions. Additionally, the torque setpoint is in excess of a nominal torque limit for the generator.

Abstract: A system for cooling a tower of a wind turbine including at least one cooling fluid inlet arranged in a tower wall for receiving a cooling fluid into the tower, a filtration assembly arranged within the tower, and at least one cooling fluid outlet for directing the filtered cooling fluid within the tower. The filtration assembly including a plurality of flow guiding structures that define a plurality of flow paths for providing a plurality of flow direction changes and/or flow velocity changes to the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A system for cooling a tower of a wind turbine including at least one cooling fluid inlet arranged in a tower wall for receiving a cooling fluid into the tower, a filtration assembly arranged within the tower, and at least one cooling fluid outlet for directing the filtered cooling fluid within the tower. The filtration assembly including a plurality of flow guiding structures that define a plurality of flow paths for providing a plurality of flow direction changes and/or flow velocity changes to the cooling fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating reactive power production in a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbine system including a DFIG and a power converter including a line side converter and a rotor side converter are provided. A method can include obtaining a reactive power production requirement, obtaining one or more operating parameters for the DFIG and the line side converter, and determining a priority ratio based at least in part on the one or more operating parameters. The priority ratio can be a ratio of reactive power production between the DFIG and the line side converter. The method can further include controlling the DFIG and the line side converter based at least in part on the reactive power production requirement and the priority ratio such that the combined reactive power production from the DFIG and the line side converter meet the reactive power production requirement.

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: Systems and methods for protecting a generator are provided. An example method can include receiving a signal indicative of a voltage associated with a stator. The method can include receiving a signal indicative of a nominal voltage associated with the stator. The method can include receiving a signal indicative of a monitoring state associated with the generator. The method can include receiving a signal indicative of a deadband range. The method can include determining a voltage ratio based at least in part on the voltage associated with the stator and the nominal voltage. The method can include determining an adjusted operating limit using a multiplier determined based at least in part on the voltage ratio. The method can include generating a power command to control operation of the generator based at least in part on the adjusted operating limit.

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: Systems and methods for allocating reactive power production in a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbine system including a DFIG and a power converter including a line side converter and a rotor side converter are provided. A method can include obtaining a reactive power production requirement, obtaining one or more operating parameters for the DFIG and the line side converter, and determining a priority ratio based at least in part on the one or more operating parameters. The priority ratio can be a ratio of reactive power production between the DFIG and the line side converter. The method can further include controlling the DFIG and the line side converter based at least in part on the reactive power production requirement and the priority ratio such that the combined reactive power production from the DFIG and the line side converter meet the reactive power production requirement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a generator are provided. An example method can include receiving a signal indicative of a voltage associated with a stator. The method can include receiving a signal indicative of a nominal voltage associated with the stator. The method can include receiving a signal indicative of a monitoring state associated with the generator. The method can include receiving a signal indicative of a deadband range. The method can include determining a voltage ratio based at least in part on the voltage associated with the stator and the nominal voltage. The method can include determining an adjusted operating limit using a multiplier determined based at least in part on the voltage ratio. The method can include generating a power command to control operation of the generator based at least in part on the adjusted operating limit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of one or more auxiliary circuits in a wind turbine system are provided. For instance, a grid event associated with the wind turbine system can be detected. In response to the grid event, a control signal can be provided to an auxiliary circuit breaker of the wind turbine system. The auxiliary circuit breaker can be associated with one or more auxiliary circuits that are not directly in a power production path of the wind turbine system. The auxiliary circuit breaker can disconnect the one or more auxiliary circuits from the grid based at least in part on the control signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine system may generally include controlling a wind turbine to operate at a speed and torque setting within a permissible operating region defined between maximum and minimum operating curves, receiving a speed de-rate request and/or a torque de-rate request to de-rate the wind turbine based on a limiting constraint of the wind turbine system, determining an adjusted speed setting and/or an adjusted torque setting for the wind turbine based on the speed de-rate request and/or the torque de-rate request, determining whether an adjustment of the wind turbine operation to the adjusted speed setting and/or the adjusted torque setting would place the turbine outside the permissible operating region and, if the adjustment would place the operation outside the permissible operating region, adjusting the speed setting and/or the torque setting to a new speed and/or torque setting defined along the maximum or minimum operating curve.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for optimizing operation of a wind turbine. The method includes providing a voltage regulator between a power grid and the wind turbine. The voltage regulator is configured to control at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. Another step includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, at least one operating condition and at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. The method also includes comparing, via a controller, at least one of the operating condition or the voltage condition with a predetermined threshold to determine a margin-to-threshold ratio. Thus, a further step includes controlling the voltage regulator based on the comparison so as to maximize the margin-to-threshold ratio.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling operation of one or more auxiliary circuits in a wind turbine system are provided. For instance, a grid event associated with the wind turbine system can be detected. In response to the grid event, a control signal can be provided to an auxiliary circuit breaker of the wind turbine system. The auxiliary circuit breaker can be associated with one or more auxiliary circuits that are not directly in a power production path of the wind turbine system. The auxiliary circuit breaker can disconnect the one or more auxiliary circuits from the grid based at least in part on the control signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for optimizing operation of a wind turbine. The method includes providing a voltage regulator between a power grid and the wind turbine. The voltage regulator is configured to control at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. Another step includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, at least one operating condition and at least one voltage condition of the wind turbine. The method also includes comparing, via a controller, at least one of the operating condition or the voltage condition with a predetermined threshold to determine a margin-to-threshold ratio. Thus, a further step includes controlling the voltage regulator based on the comparison so as to maximize the margin-to-threshold ratio.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wind turbine system may generally include controlling a wind turbine to operate at a speed and torque setting within a permissible operating region defined between maximum and minimum operating curves, receiving a speed de-rate request and/or a torque de-rate request to de-rate the wind turbine based on a limiting constraint of the wind turbine system, determining an adjusted speed setting and/or an adjusted torque setting for the wind turbine based on the speed de-rate request and/or the torque de-rate request, determining whether an adjustment of the wind turbine operation to the adjusted speed setting and/or the adjusted torque setting would place the turbine outside the permissible operating region and, if the adjustment would place the operation outside the permissible operating region, adjusting the speed setting and/or the torque setting to a new speed and/or torque setting defined along the maximum or minimum operating curve.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments of a method of controlling a power rating of a wind turbine are described. One embodiment of the method comprises retrieving, by a computing device, one or more preset values from a memory, wherein the one or more preset values include at least an initial torque setpoint for a wind turbine; determining, by the computing device, an adjusted torque setpoint for the wind turbine based at least in part on one or more operating conditions received from one or more measurement devices associated with the wind turbine; and adjusting a real power output rating of the wind turbine based on the determined adjusted torque setpoint. In one aspect, the computing device can be a controller for the wind turbine.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments of a method of controlling a power rating of a wind turbine are described. One embodiment of the method comprises retrieving, by a computing device, one or more preset values from a memory, wherein the one or more preset values include at least an initial torque setpoint for a wind turbine; determining, by the computing device, an adjusted torque setpoint for the wind turbine based at least in part on one or more operating conditions received from one or more measurement devices associated with the wind turbine; and adjusting a real power output rating of the wind turbine based on the determined adjusted torque setpoint. In one aspect, the computing device can be a controller for the wind turbine.