Abstract: A wind turbine and associated control method includes a controller configured with a high speed shaft brake in the generator gear train. The controller receives an input signal corresponding to rotational speed of the high speed shaft, wherein upon the high speed shaft reaching a predefined rotational speed and under a braking condition that calls for the rotor to come to a complete standstill, the controller generates an activate signal to activate the brake. An interlock system is in communication with the low speed shaft sensor and the controller and is configured to override the activate signal when the rotational speed of the low speed shaft is above a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for optimizing auxiliary loads of a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines includes tracking, via a farm-level controller of the wind farm, operational usage for one or more auxiliary components of at least one of the wind turbines in the wind farm as the operational usage for the one or more auxiliary components induces a load on the auxiliary component(s). The method also includes determining, via the farm-level controller, a power consumption of the load induced on the one or more auxiliary components based on the operational usage. Further, the method includes receiving, via the farm-level controller, at least one additional parameter of the wind farm. Moreover, the method includes implementing, via the farm-level controller, a control command for one or more of the one or more auxiliary components based on the power consumption and the at least one additional parameter.

Abstract: A method for optimizing auxiliary loads of a wind farm having a plurality of wind turbines includes tracking, via a farm-level controller of the wind farm, operational usage for one or more auxiliary components of at least one of the wind turbines in the wind farm as the operational usage for the one or more auxiliary components induces a load on the auxiliary component(s). The method also includes determining, via the farm-level controller, a power consumption of the load induced on the one or more auxiliary components based on the operational usage. Further, the method includes receiving, via the farm-level controller, at least one additional parameter of the wind farm. Moreover, the method includes implementing, via the farm-level controller, a control command for one or more of the one or more auxiliary components based on the power consumption and the at least one additional parameter.

Abstract: A method for initializing startup of a wind turbine includes measuring a first wind condition at the wind turbine at a first moment in time. The method also includes measuring a second wind condition at the wind turbine at a subsequent, second moment in time. Further, the method includes estimating an acceleration parameter of the wind turbine as a function of the first wind condition and the second wind condition. Moreover, the method includes comparing the acceleration parameter to a predetermined threshold. As such, the method includes initializing a first startup process for the wind turbine when the acceleration parameter is at or below a predetermined threshold. Further, the method includes initializing a second startup process for the wind turbine when the acceleration parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold, the second startup process being faster than the first startup process.

Abstract: A wind turbine and associated control method includes a controller configured with a high speed shaft brake in the generator gear train. The controller receives an input signal corresponding to rotational speed of the high speed shaft, wherein upon the high speed shaft reaching a predefined rotational speed and under a braking condition that calls for the rotor to come to a complete standstill, the controller generates an activate signal to activate the brake. An interlock system is in communication with the low speed shaft sensor and the controller and is configured to override the activate signal when the rotational speed of the low speed shaft is above a threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for managing shadow flicker at a wind turbine site having at least one wind turbine includes determining, via a processor, a sun position of the wind turbine site. The method also includes receiving, via the processor, a spatial location of the at least one wind turbine with respect to at least one receptor. Further, the method includes determining, via the processor, whether shadow flicker is occurring at the at least one receptor based, at least in part, on the sun position and the spatial location of the at least one wind turbine. Moreover, the method includes implementing, via the processor, a corrective action for the at least one wind turbine when shadow flicker occurs at the at least one receptor to reduce the shadow flicker.

Abstract: A method for initializing startup of a wind turbine includes measuring, via one or more sensors, a first wind condition at the wind turbine at a first moment in time. The method also includes measuring, via the one or more sensors, a second wind condition at the wind turbine at a subsequent, second moment in time. Further, the method includes estimating, via the processor(s), an acceleration parameter of the wind turbine as a function of the first wind condition and the second wind condition. Moreover, the method includes comparing, via the processor(s), the acceleration parameter to a predetermined threshold. As such, the method includes initializing, via the processor(s), a first startup process for the wind turbine when the acceleration parameter is at or below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for managing shadow flicker at a wind turbine site having at least one wind turbine includes determining, via a processor, a sun position of the wind turbine site. The method also includes receiving, via the processor, a spatial location of the at least one wind turbine with respect to at least one receptor. Further, the method includes determining, via the processor, whether shadow flicker is occurring at the at least one receptor based, at least in part, on the sun position and the spatial location of the at least one wind turbine. Moreover, the method includes implementing, via the processor, a corrective action for the at least one wind turbine when shadow flicker occurs at the at least one receptor to reduce the shadow flicker.