A power control method and apparatus for a wind power generator. The power control method comprises: predicting, according to historical wind resource data, wind resource data within a predetermined future time period (S10); estimating, according to the remaining design lifetime of a wind power generator, the maximum design lifetime allowed to be consumed within the predetermined future time period (S20); determining, according to the predicted wind resource data and the estimated maximum design lifetime, optimal output powers of the wind power generator in respective wind velocity ranges within the predetermined future time period (S30); and controlling operation of the wind power generator according to the determined optimal output powers of the wind power generator in the respective wind velocity ranges within the predetermined future time period (S40).

A method for adjusting a power parameter of a wind turbine is disclosed. The method includes determining a load parameter indicative of a mechanical load of the wind turbine; estimating a turbulence of a wind speed based on the determined load parameter; and adjusting the power parameter relating to a power of the wind turbine based on the estimated turbulence. A system for adjusting a power parameter of a wind turbine is also described.

The invention relates to a method for determining power set points of a power plant comprising a plurality of power generating units with at least one wind turbine generator. The determination of the power set points are based on a prioritization of the power generating units, where the power generating units are prioritized with respect to individual power levels or fatigue levels obtained for the power generating units. The prioritization is adjusted so that the adjusted prioritization depends both on the power and fatigue levels.

The invention relates to a method for determining power set points of a power plant comprising a plurality of power generating units with at least one wind turbine generator. The determination of the power set points are based on a prioritization of the power generating units, where the power generating units are prioritized with respect to individual power levels or fatigue levels obtained for the power generating units. The prioritization is adjusted so that the adjusted prioritization depends both on the power and fatigue levels.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a data processing and control augmentation system capable of identifying overloading of one or more wind turbine assemblies and providing information to a wind farm controller to reduce a power output of each overloaded turbine. The augmentation system thus reduces the power output of each overloaded turbine and, in turn, reduces loads applied to the wind turbine assembly, such as for a period of time until conditions favorably change. A described analysis of the present disclosure is able to utilize several incoming data streams from sensors so arranged to measure wind effects on blades to calculate and compare cyclic loads to threshold limits to o keep the loads within design limits. The control strategy reduces premature failure of components within the wind turbine assembly, and can be applied across an entire wind farm, even with only a subset of wind turbine assemblies being retrofitted.

A method of operating a wind turbine and a method of determining fatigue in a wind turbine component are provided. The method of operating a wind turbine comprises determining a reference accumulated fatigue, determining an operational time, obtaining a partial load indicator, determining a real accumulated fatigue, comparing the real accumulated fatigue and the reference accumulated fatigue and controlling the operation of the wind turbine. The method of determining fatigue in a wind turbine component comprises determining an operational time, obtaining wind speed, obtaining turbulence intensity, determining a time for each combination of wind speed and turbulence intensity and determining a real accumulated fatigue. In a further aspect, this is also provided a wind turbine controller configured to perform any of the methods herein disclosed.

A wind turbine, power plant and associated method of controlling a wind turbine is provided. Data is obtained that identifies, based on forecast data, one or more future periods of time during which it would be desirable to over-rate the wind turbine, and measures of the fatigue life consumed by one or more turbine components are determined. The total fatigue life consumed by the one or more turbine components is limited prior to the one or more periods of time by controlling the power output of the wind turbine, in advance of the one or more periods of time, based upon the measure of the fatigue life consumed by the one or more turbine components.

A method of generating a control schedule for a wind turbine is provided, the control schedule indicating how the turbine maximum power level varies over time, the method comprising: receiving input indicative of a target minimum wind turbine lifetime; determining a value indicative of the current remaining fatigue lifetime of the wind turbine or one or more turbine components, based on measured wind turbine site and/or operating data; and varying a parameter of an initial predefined control schedule that specifies how the turbine maximum power level varies over time. The parameter is varied by: (i) adjusting the parameter of the initial predefined control schedule; (ii) estimating the future fatigue lifetime consumed by the wind turbine or the one or more turbine components, over the duration of the varied control schedule, based upon the varied control schedule; and (iii) repeating steps (i) and (ii) until the estimated future fatigue lifetime consumed by the wind turbine or each of the one or more turbine components is sufficient to allow the target minimum wind turbine life to be reached.

The invention relates to a method for estimating a clearance (7) between a tower (2) and foundations (6) of a wind turbine (1), comprising the following steps: S1: acquiring N maximum accelerations of the tower (2) of the wind turbine (1); S2: associating a predefined interval of accelerations with each maximum acceleration; S3: determining the number of occurrences of each interval of accelerations over the N time intervals; S4: deducing therefrom a mode for the N time intervals; S5: repeating steps S1 to S4 multiple times so as to obtain multiple modes; S6: comparing the modes obtained in this manner and deducing therefrom a change in the clearance (7).

A power control method and apparatus for a wind power generator. The power control method comprises: predicting, according to historical wind resource data, wind resource data within a predetermined future time period (S10); estimating, according to the remaining design lifetime of a wind power generator, the maximum design lifetime allowed to be consumed within the predetermined future time period (S20); determining, according to the predicted wind resource data and the estimated maximum design lifetime, optimal output powers of the wind power generator in respective wind velocity ranges within the predetermined future time period (S30); and controlling operation of the wind power generator according to the determined optimal output powers of the wind power generator in the respective wind velocity ranges within the predetermined future time period (S40).