A wind turbine (10) is disclosed having a hub (14) with electrical power therein and at least one blade (20) attached to the hub. The blade (20) has a blade root (21), a blade tip (26) and a down-wire (30) for the conduction of lightning current to the ground. The wind turbine (10) further has a blade electrical system (99) that takes electrical power from the hub (14) and transmits electrical power into the blade (20) to at least one area located between the blade root (21) and the blade tip (26). The blade electrical system (99) if formed by a power-transfer unit (100) having a power-driver unit (110), a power-conditioner unit (130) and a dielectric (120) separating the power-driver unit (110) and the power-conditioner unit (130). The power-driver unit (110) receives electrical power from the hub (14) and transmit the electrical power through the dielectric (120) to the power-conditioner unit (130). An electrical-power bus (200) is electrically attached to the power-conditioner unit (130) and extends into the blade (20). At least one powered unit (300) is provided which is electrically connected to, and electrically powered by, the electrical-power bus (200).

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 based on a difference between data indicative of a rotor operating parameter and data indicative of a generator operating parameter. The controller then determines an angle of slip corresponding to the loss of traction as a function of the difference. Based, at least partially on the angle of slip, a degradation value for the slip coupling is determined. A control action is implemented based on the degradation value.

A method of installing a wind turbine (10) at an offshore location. The wind turbine (10) includes a tower (18) and an energy generating unit (16). The tower (18) is configured to be secured to a transition piece (12, 42). Prior to shipping, the method includes electrically coupling electrical devices and/or systems (52) by cables (54) to energy generating unit (16) or wind turbine tower (18) or a test dummy therefor. The electrical devices and/or systems (52) are configured to be attached to transition piece (12, 42) once the tower (18) is installed. The method includes testing and commissioning the electrical devices and/or systems (52) while electrically coupled to the cables (54). Prior to shipping and after testing and commissioning, the method includes storing the electrical devices and/or systems (52) and attached cables (54) inside the tower (18). The cables (54) are long enough to permit the electrical devices and/or systems (52) to be attached to the transition piece (12, 42) without disconnecting the electrical devices and/or systems (52) from the cables (54).

A pitch energy module comprising one or more ultracapacitors storing electrical energy for a wind turbine emergency pitch energy event. The pitch energy module replaces at least one battery within a battery housing of a wind turbine and interfaces with the existing battery wiring harness to communicate with a control system of the wind turbine. The pitch energy module is installed without further modification to the battery housing or the battery wiring harness.

A new method for installing one or more electric cables (60) in a wind turbine tower section (100) is provided. The method comprises providing the wind turbine tower section (100) in a substantially horizontal orientation and installing a zip line (20) inside the wind turbine tower section (100), between a first end (120) and a second end (130) of the wind turbine tower section (100). The method further comprises coupling a second end of the electric cables (60) to the zip line (20) at a location near the first end of the wind turbine tower section (100), drawing the second end of the electric cables (60) through the wind turbine tower section (100) along the zip line (20), decoupling the second end of the electric cables (60) from the zip line (20), and removing the zip line (20) from the wind turbine tower section (100). The method further comprises anchoring a first end of the electric cables (60) to the wind turbine tower section (100), at a location adjacent the first end of the wind turbine tower section (100), and anchoring the second end of the electric cables (60) to the wind turbine tower section (100), at a location adjacent the second end of the wind turbine tower section (100).

The present disclosure relates to towers for wind turbines comprising a top section supporting a nacelle about a yaw axis, wherein the nacelle comprises an electric power component and a power cable for electrically connecting the electric power component to an electrical connection point in a lower section of the tower. The power cable extends downwards from the nacelle to a first height along a substantially central area of the tower, and at a first height the power cable comprises a power cable loop. The power cable loop includes an upwards curve, and a downwards curve. The power cable loop comprises a movable cable part, and a fixed cable part, and the fixed cable part comprises at least a portion of the downwards curve. The present disclosure further relates to wind turbines and to methods for arranging cables in wind turbine towers.

A wind turbine blade assembly comprising: a first wind turbine blade portion having a first attachment portion and a first metallic plate, a second wind turbine blade portion having a second attachment portion and a second metallic plate, and at least one tension member for coupling to the first and second attachment portions to join the first wind turbine blade portion to the second wind turbine blade portion, wherein the first and second metallic plates are configured to abut in compression due to tension in the tension member when the first wind turbine blade portion is joined to the second wind turbine blade portion with the at least one tension member. Also, a method of joining blade portions to construct a blade.

A wind turbine nacelle configured for mounting on a wind turbine tower and for supporting a rotor-supporting assembly, the nacelle comprising a main unit, and at least one auxiliary unit. The auxiliary unit accommodates at least one operative component, e.g. a converter, a transformer, an electrolysis cell, or a battery. An operative component having a similar function is accommodated in another auxiliary unit which thereby facilitate shared operation, and easy and fast maintenance or replacement of the operative component.

A new method for installing one or more electric cables (60) in a wind turbine tower section (100) is provided. The method comprises providing the wind turbine tower section (100) in a substantially horizontal orientation and installing a zip line (20) inside the wind turbine tower section (100), between a first end (120) and a second end (130) of the wind turbine tower section (100). The method further comprises coupling a second end of the electric cables (60) to the zip line (20) at a location near the first end of the wind turbine tower section (100), drawing the second end of the electric cables (60) through the wind turbine tower section (100) along the zip line (20), decoupling the second end of the electric cables (60) from the zip line (20), and removing the zip line (20) from the wind turbine tower section (100). The method further comprises anchoring a first end of the electric cables (60) to the wind turbine tower section (100), at a location adjacent the first end of the wind turbine tower section (100), and anchoring the second end of the electric cables (60) to the wind turbine tower section (100), at a location adjacent the second end of the wind turbine tower section (100).

A pitch energy module comprising one or more ultracapacitors storing electrical energy for a wind turbine emergency pitch energy event. The pitch energy module replaces at least one battery within a battery housing of a wind turbine and interfaces with the existing battery wiring harness to communicate with a control system of the wind turbine. The pitch energy module is installed without further modification to the battery housing or the battery wiring harness.