Abstract: An energy audit tool for a wind turbine power system includes a data collector module configured for temporary connection to an existing turbine controller of the existing wind turbine power system. The data collector module is configured to collect operating data of the existing wind turbine power system. The energy audit tool also includes a model simulator module configured for analyzing the collected operating data, generating a model of the existing wind turbine power system based on the collected operating data, and determining an energy loss of the existing wind turbine power system from the model of the existing wind turbine power system.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rotor blade panel of a wind turbine includes placing one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins into a mold of the rotor blade panel. The method also includes printing and depositing, via a computer numeric control (CNC) device, a plurality of rib members that form at least one three-dimensional (3-D) reinforcement grid structure onto an inner surface of the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins. Further, the grid structure bonds to the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins as the grid structure is deposited. Moreover, the method includes printing at least one additional feature into the grid structure.

Abstract: A method operates a mobile readout system having at least one stationary consumption meter and a mobile readout receiver for reading out the consumption meter as the readout receiver moves past the consumption meter. A two-way communication takes place between the consumption meter and the readout receiver by using the consumption meter to transmit status information stored in the consumption meter, using the readout receiver to receive the status information, using the readout receiver to request additional information from the consumption meter by using a request command, and transmitting encrypted additional information from the consumption meter to the readout receiver. A readout receiver having a receiver for acquiring data from a plurality of spatially distributed consumption meters by using radio transmission according to the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a blade tip and a blade root. Further, the rotor blade assembly includes a flexible extension having a first end and a second end. More specifically, the first end is mounted to a surface of the rotor blade and the second end is free. As such, during operation of the wind turbine, the flexible extension passively adjusts with a changing angle of attack of the rotor blade, thereby reducing variations in blade loading.

Abstract: An energy audit tool for a wind turbine power system includes a data collector module configured for temporary connection to an existing turbine controller of the existing wind turbine power system. The data collector module is configured to collect operating data of the existing wind turbine power system. The energy audit tool also includes a model simulator module configured for analyzing the collected operating data, generating a model of the existing wind turbine power system based on the collected operating data, and determining an energy loss of the existing wind turbine power system from the model of the existing wind turbine power system.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly of a wind turbine includes an aerodynamic body having an inboard region and an outboard region. The inboard and outboard regions define a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The inboard region includes a blade root, whereas the outboard region includes a blade tip. The outboard region also has a twist variation of less than plus or minus about 0.5 degrees (°) in order to reduce a rate of reduction in at least one of a chord length or a thickness of the rotor blade in the outboard region.

Abstract: A method operates a mobile readout system having at least one stationary consumption meter and a mobile readout receiver for reading out the consumption meter as the readout receiver moves past the consumption meter. A two-way communication takes place between the consumption meter and the readout receiver by using the consumption meter to transmit status information stored in the consumption meter, using the readout receiver to receive the status information, using the readout receiver to request additional information from the consumption meter by using a request command, and transmitting encrypted additional information from the consumption meter to the readout receiver. A readout receiver having a receiver for acquiring data from a plurality of spatially distributed consumption meters by using radio transmission according to the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for controlling a wind turbine using an adjusted aerodynamic performance map. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring at least one of an actual wind parameter or operating data of the wind turbine using one or more sensors. Further, the method includes determining an adjustment factor for the aerodynamic performance map based, at least in part, on either or both of the measured actual wind parameter or the wind turbine operating data. Moreover, the method includes applying the adjustment factor to a first aerodynamic performance map to obtain an adjusted aerodynamic performance map. Thus, the method also includes controlling the wind turbine based on the adjusted aerodynamic performance map.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge, each extending between a blade tip and a root. The rotor blade additionally defining a span and a chord. The blade assembly further includes a plurality of micro boundary layer energizers positioned on a surface of the pressure side of the rotor blade. The plurality of micro boundary layer energizers extending one of above or below a neutral plane of the rotor blade. The micro boundary layer energizers are shaped and positioned chordwise to delay separation of a boundary layer at a low angle of attack. A wind turbine including the blade assembly is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rotor blade panel of a wind turbine includes placing one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins into a mold of the rotor blade panel. The method also includes printing and depositing, via a computer numeric control (CNC) device, a plurality of rib members that form at least one three-dimensional (3-D) reinforcement grid structure onto an inner surface of the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins. Further, the grid structure bonds to the one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins as the grid structure is deposited. Moreover, the method includes printing at least one additional feature into the grid structure.

Abstract: A method for providing visual identification of a flow field across one or more wind turbines includes releasing at least one tracer material from at least one predetermined location of the wind turbine. The method also includes synchronizing the releasing of the tracer material with at least one of one or more operating parameters or one or more wind parameters of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes monitoring, via one or more sensors, a resultant flow pattern of the tracer material from one or more uptower locations.

Abstract: A method for mitigating noise during high wind speed conditions of a wind turbine includes providing a backward twist to the outboard region of the rotor blade having an angle of less than 6°. The method may also include reducing a tip chord taper within at least a portion of the outboard region of the rotor blade. Further, the method may include increasing a local tip chord length of the rotor blade. In addition, the method may include increasing a torsional stiffness of the outboard region of the rotor blade. As such, a combination of one or more of the blade properties described above are configured to reduce noise associated with high wind speed conditions.

Abstract: A rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge each extending in a generally span-wise direction between an inboard region and an outboard region. The inboard region includes a blade root that is typically characterized by a rounded trailing edge. Further, the rotor blade assembly further includes at least one airflow separation element mounted to either or both of the pressure or suction sides of the rotor blade within the inboard region and adjacent to the rounded trailing edge. In addition, an edge of the at least one airflow separation element is configured to provide a fixed airflow separation location in the inboard region during standard operation. The rotor blade assembly also includes at least one airflow modifying element configured with the trailing edge of the rotor blade.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining pressure and suction sides, and leading and trailing edges extending in a generally span-wise direction between an inboard region and an outboard region. The inboard region includes a blade root having a rounded trailing edge. Further, the rotor blade assembly further includes at least one airflow separation element mounted to either or both of the pressure or suction sides of the rotor blade within the inboard region and adjacent to the rounded trailing edge. In addition, the at least one airflow separation element corresponds to a contour of the pressure side or the suction side of the rotor blade. As such, the at least one airflow separation element is configured to provide a fixed airflow separation location in the inboard region during standard operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for controlling a wind turbine using an adjusted aerodynamic performance map. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring at least one of an actual wind parameter or operating data of the wind turbine using one or more sensors. Further, the method includes determining an adjustment factor for the aerodynamic performance map based, at least in part, on either or both of the measured actual wind parameter or the wind turbine operating data. Moreover, the method includes applying the adjustment factor to a first aerodynamic performance map to obtain an adjusted aerodynamic performance map. Thus, the method also includes controlling the wind turbine based on the adjusted aerodynamic performance map.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a tip extension assembly for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The tip extension assembly includes a tip extension having a body with a pressure side surface and a suction side surface. Further, the tip extension is slidable onto a tip of the rotor blade so as to overlap the rotor blade adjacent the tip. In addition, the tip extension defines an extended trailing edge of the rotor blade. Moreover, an edge of the tip extension defines a step profile at a transition region between the tip extension and a trailing edge of the rotor blade. The tip extension assembly also includes at least one chord extension configured for attachment adjacent to the edge of the tip extension so as to minimize the step profile and associated noise caused thereby.

Abstract: Universal vortex generators for wind turbine rotor blades and methods of manufacturing same are disclosed. The vortex generator includes a base portion configured for attachment to at least one of a suction side surface or a pressure side surface of the rotor blade and at least one airflow modifying element extending from the base portion. In addition, the airflow modifying element includes one or more discontinuities configured therein so as to increase flexibility of the vortex generator.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending between a blade tip and a blade root. Further, the rotor blade assembly includes a flexible extension having a first end and a second end. More specifically, the first end is mounted to a surface of the rotor blade and the second end is free. As such, during operation of the wind turbine, the flexible extension passively adjusts with a changing angle of attack of the rotor blade, thereby reducing variations in blade loading.

Abstract: A method for installing an add-on component onto a tip of a wind turbine blade, the associated blade, and the component, are provided. The add-on component has a span-wise end and a separated trailing edge, and is slidable onto the blade tip. Strips of a double-sided adhesive tape are attached onto either or both pressure and suction side surfaces of the blade adjacent the blade tip, or onto interior surfaces of the add-on component, the tape strips having a release liner on an opposite exposed side thereof. An extension tail is configured with the release liner that extends beyond the span-wise end of the add-on component when the add-on component is placed and held at a desired position on the blade. The add-on component is slid onto and maintained in position on the blade tip and, starting from the tape strip furthest from the separated trailing edge, extension tails of the respective tape strips are sequentially peeled through the separated trailing edge and away from the add-on component.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge, each extending between a blade tip and a root. The rotor blade additionally defining a span and a chord. The blade assembly further includes a plurality of micro boundary layer energizers positioned on a surface of the pressure side of the rotor blade. The plurality of micro boundary layer energizers extending one of above or below a neutral plane of the rotor blade. The micro boundary layer energizers are shaped and positioned chordwise to delay separation of a boundary layer at a low angle of attack. A wind turbine including the blade assembly is additionally disclosed.