A vertical axis wind turbine system having a vertical mast with one or more turbine units supported thereon. The turbine units are of modular construction for assembly around the foot of the mast; are vertically moveable along the height of the mast by a winch system; and are selectively interlocking with the mast to fix the turbine units in parked positions. The turbine system and each turbine unit includes a network of portals and interior rooms for the passage of personnel through the system, including each turbine unit. The electrical generators, and other sub-components, in the turbine units are of modular construction that permits the selective removal and replacement of component segments, including the transport of component segments through the portals and interior rooms of the turbine system while the turbine units remain supported on the mast. The electrical generators are also selectively convertible between AC generators and DC generators.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine in partial and full load. In order to avoid disadvantages of switching between partial and full load controllers, the wind turbine control system is configured so that both the partial and full load controller provides control action during partial and full load. For that purpose, the partial and full load controllers are configured with variable gains, wherein gain scheduling is performed so that the gain of partial load controller is larger than the gain of the full load controller during partial load and vice verso so that the gain of the full load controller is larger than the gain of the partial load controller during full load.

A wind turbine is described which includes a support structure, a rotor which includes one or multiple rotor blades and which is situated on the support structure so that the rotor is freely rotatable about a rotation axis, and a generator which is connected to the rotor and which converts the wind energy into electrical energy when the rotor is rotating. The support structure includes a stationary ring on which the rotor is rotatably guided and on which the stator of the generator is situated.

A rotor blade of a wind turbine including at least one vortex generator is provided. The vortex generator is attached to the surface of the rotor blade and is located at least partially within the boundary layer of the airflow flowing across the rotor blade. The vortex generator is exposed to a stagnation pressure, which is caused by the fraction of the airflow passing over the vortex generator and of which the magnitude depends on the velocity of the fraction of the airflow passing over the vortex generator. The vortex generator is arranged and prepared to change its configuration depending on the magnitude of the stagnation pressure acting on the vortex generator. Furthermore, an aspect relates to a wind turbine for generating electricity with at least one such rotor blade.

A wind turbine system to provide electrical power in areas not connected to the electrical power grid. The wind turbine system includes a frame and a rotatable shaft supported by the frame. A ring and idler gear assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. An upper rotor assembly is coupled to the rotatable shaft. The upper rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in a first direction. A lower rotor assembly is coupled to the ring and idler gear assembly. The lower rotor assembly is configured to rotate in a second direction which is opposite of the first direction and thereby to rotate the rotatable shaft in the first direction via the ring and idler gear assembly.

A condition monitoring device for a wind turbine power generating apparatus provided with an auxiliary motor power supply system including a power-supply-side line connected to a power supply and a plurality of auxiliary-motor-side lines diverging from the power-supply-side line and connected to a plurality of auxiliary motors, respectively, comprises: a current measurement device for measuring a current flowing through the power-supply-side line; and a control device for controlling the plurality of auxiliary motors. The control device is configured to, when a generator of the wind turbine power generating apparatus is in a standby state where power generation is stopped at a low wind speed, execute a single sequential operation mode in which each of the plurality of auxiliary motors is singly and sequentially operated. The current measurement device is configured to measure a current flowing through the power-supply-side line during execution of the single sequential operation mode by the control device.

A condition monitoring device for a wind turbine power generating apparatus provided with an auxiliary motor power supply system including a power-supply-side line connected to a power supply and a plurality of auxiliary-motor-side lines diverging from the power-supply-side line and connected to a plurality of auxiliary motors, respectively, comprises: a current measurement device for measuring a current flowing through the power-supply-side line; and a control device for controlling the plurality of auxiliary motors. The control device is configured to, when a generator of the wind turbine power generating apparatus is in a standby state where power generation is stopped at a low wind speed, execute a single sequential operation mode in which each of the plurality of auxiliary motors is singly and sequentially operated. The current measurement device is configured to measure a current flowing through the power-supply-side line during execution of the single sequential operation mode by the control device.

Wind power generating equipment includes: a generator that is driven by a blade which rotates by receiving the wind; a power converter that converts an electric output of the generator such that the output is interconnected with an electric power system; a power converter controller that controls the power converter; and a wind turbine control board that transmits, to the power converter controller, an active power command value that is used as a command value of the electric output which is transmitted from the power converter. The power converter controller controls the output of the power converter in response to an active power command value, depending on a reduction amount of a system voltage when instantaneous reduction occurs in the system voltage interconnected with the wind power generating equipment. This permits stable operation of the wind power generating system when instantaneous voltage reduction occurs such as during a system abnormality.

A method (1000-1004) for operating a wind turbine (10, 11) including a drive train (64) including a generator (42) and a rotor shaft (44) mechanically connected with the generator (42) and having an axis (30) of rotation, and a rotor (18) having rotor blades (22-22c). The rotor (18) is mechanically connected with the rotor shaft (44) and rotatable about the axis (30) of rotation. The method (1000-1004) includes determining (1100) that the generator (42) is not operating in a power generating mode, and operating (1200) the rotor (18) to move around a predefined desired angular orientation (α.sub.des) with respect to the axis (30) of rotation in an alternating fashion.

A method (1000-1004) for operating a wind turbine (10, 11) including a drive train (64) including a generator (42) and a rotor shaft (44) mechanically connected with the generator (42) and having an axis (30) of rotation, and a rotor (18) having rotor blades (22-22c). The rotor (18) is mechanically connected with the rotor shaft (44) and rotatable about the axis (30) of rotation. The method (1000-1004) includes determining (1100) that the generator (42) is not operating in a power generating mode, and operating (1200) the rotor (18) to move around a predefined desired angular orientation (α.sub.des) with respect to the axis (30) of rotation in an alternating fashion.