Abstract: A utility grid is provided, the utility grid including a centralized controller; an intermittent renewable energy source for generating electrical power; at least one further power generation system; and a local controller for controlling the total power output of the intermittent renewable energy source and the at least one further power generation system, wherein the centralized controller is connected with the local controller and adapted to request a desired total power output from the local controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind energy system having a support (5), a rotor (6) that is rotatably supported on the support (5) about a rotor axis (7), said rotor having multiple rotor blades (9, 10) and being driven or drivable by means of wind energy (15), an electric generator (16) that is coupled to the rotor (6), said generator being drivable or driven by the rotor (6), a first converter (23) that is electrically coupled to the generator (16), said converter being coupled or capable of being coupled to an electric distribution network (27), at least one electric or partially electric auxiliary system (20), wherein the at least one auxiliary system (20) is or can be electrically coupled to the generator (16) while interconnecting a second converter (33).

Abstract: The invention relates to a wind energy system having a support (5), a rotor (6) that is rotatably supported on the support (5) about a rotor axis (7), said rotor having multiple rotor blades (9, 10) and being driven or drivable by means of wind energy (15), an electric generator (16) that is coupled to the rotor (6), said generator being drivable or driven by the rotor (6), a first converter (23) that is electrically coupled to the generator (16), said converter being coupled or capable of being coupled to an electric distribution network (27), at least one electric or partially electric auxiliary system (20), wherein the at least one auxiliary system (20) is or can be electrically coupled to the generator (16) while interconnecting a second converter (33).

Abstract: A rotor for a wind energy turbine includes a hub defining an inner space and at least one rotor blade defining an inner space and having a tip and a root attached to the hub. The inner spaces of the hub and the at least one rotor blade are in fluid communication. The rotor further includes air flow means for causing air to flow out of the hub and into the at least one rotor blade.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator includes at least one rotating member, at least one stationary member, and a clearance gap control system. The stationary member is positioned such that a clearance gap is defined between a portion of the rotating member and a portion of the stationary member. The clearance gap is configured to facilitate transmitting a controllable magnetic flux therethrough. The control system includes at least one clearance gap measurement assembly, at least one power converter, and at least one controller. The controller is coupled in electronic data communication with the assembly and the converter and is configured to modulate a dimension of the gap by modulating the flux.

Abstract: The invention relates to Method of operating a wind turbine, wherein rotor windings of an induction generator, which comprises stator coils coupled to a voltage grid, fed with rotor currents by a feed-in unit are driven by a rotor of the wind turbine; wherein the frequencies of the fed-in rotor currents are controlled depending on the rotor rotation frequency and the feed-in unit is electrically decoupled from the rotor windings in the case predetermined variations of the grid voltage amplitude and the rotor current feed-in is resumed after the decoupling caused by the variation of the grid voltage amplitude, when the currents generated in the rotor windings by the variation have declined to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator includes at least one rotating member, at least one stationary member, and a clearance gap control system. The stationary member is positioned such that a clearance gap is defined between a portion of the rotating member and a portion of the stationary member. The clearance gap is configured to facilitate transmitting a controllable magnetic flux therethrough. The control system includes at least one clearance gap measurement assembly, at least one power converter, and at least one controller. The controller is coupled in electronic data communication with the assembly and the converter and is configured to modulate a dimension of the gap by modulating the flux.

Abstract: A technique for correcting measurement error in data produced by a nacelle-based anemometer and for determining free stream wind speed for a wind turbine involves ascertaining parameters related to the wind turbine and the operation thereof, and using the parameters and data from the nacelle based anemometer as inputs to an algorithm to provide for determination of corrected wind speed data.

Abstract: A method of operating a wind turbine, wherein the wind turbine may include rotor windings of an induction generator, which includes stator coils coupled to a voltage grid, fed with rotor currents by a feed-in unit are driven by a rotor of the wind turbine; wherein the frequencies of the fed-in rotor currents are controlled depending on the rotor rotation frequency and the feed-in unit is electrically decoupled from the rotor windings in the case predetermined variations of the grid voltage amplitude and the rotor current feed-in is resumed after the decoupling caused by the variation of the grid voltage amplitude, when the currents generated in the motor windings by the variation have declined to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A wind turbine braking system including: a wind turbine including turbine blades and a control system; a generator coupled to the turbine blades; a generator converter coupled to the generator and connectable to a utility power grid; at least one dump resistor coupled to the generator and generator converter, and if the utility power grid losses power, the dump resistor applying an electrical load to the generator converter.

Abstract: A wind turbine braking system including: a wind turbine including turbine blades and a control system; a generator coupled to the turbine blades; a generator converter coupled to the generator and connectable to a utility power grid; at least one dump resistor coupled to the generator and generator converter, and if the utility power grid losses power, the dump resistor applying an electrical load to the generator converter.

Abstract: A system and method for power control in wind turbines are provided. The method includes switching a plurality of switching devices in a power conversion component of the wind turbine system in a normal switching mode to provide power flow through the power conversion component. The method further includes switching the plurality of switches devices in the power conversion component of the wind turbine system in a short circuit switching mode to prevent power flow through the power conversion component.

Abstract: A technique for correcting measurement error in data produced by a nacelle-based anemometer and for determining free stream wind speed for a wind turbine involves ascertaining parameters related to the wind turbine and the operation thereof, and using the parameters and data from the nacelle based anemometer as inputs to an algorithm to provide for determination of corrected wind speed data.

Abstract: A rotor for a wind energy turbine includes a hub defining an inner space and at least one rotor blade defining an inner space and having a tip and a root attached to the hub. The inner spaces of the hub and the at least one rotor blade are in fluid communication. The rotor further includes air flow means for causing air to flow out of the hub and into the at least one rotor blade.

Abstract: A system and method for power control in wind turbines are provided. The method includes switching a plurality of switching devices in a power conversion component of the wind turbine system in a normal switching mode to provide power flow through the power conversion component. The method further includes switching the plurality of switches devices in the power conversion component of the wind turbine system in a short circuit switching mode to prevent power flow through the power conversion component.

Abstract: A wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a blade pitch control system to vary a pitch of one or more blades and a turbine controller coupled with the blade pitch control system. A first power source is coupled with the turbine controller and with the blade pitch control system to provide power during a first mode of operation. Uninterruptible power supplies coupled to the turbine controller and with the blade pitch control system to provide power during a second mode of operation. The turbine controller detects a transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation and causes the blade pitch control system to vary the pitch of the one or more blades in response to the transition.

Abstract: Two independent adjusting systems are recommended for each rotor blade (6) for blade angle adjustments of the rotor blades (6) of the rotor of a wind power plant, assuring full redundancy of the blade angle adjustment. By suitable control of the individual adjustment paths of the two adjustments systems, additional advantageous effects can be gained, such as good lubricant distribution and/or even load distribution over time (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a blade pitch control system to vary a pitch of one or more blades and a turbine controller coupled with the blade pitch control system. A first power source is coupled with the turbine controller and with the blade pitch control system to provide power during a first mode of operation. Uninterruptible power supplies coupled to the turbine controller and with the blade pitch control system to provide power during a second mode of operation. The turbine controller detects a transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation and causes the blade pitch control system to vary the pitch of the one or more blades in response to the transition.