Methods and apparatus for reducing peak power consumption of a grid connected power plant having a plurality of wind turbines. In response to determining that a power production value of the power plant is below a power threshold, one method includes: after a first time delay of a first group of one or more wind turbines, control the first group to operate in a power saving mode for a predefined first power saving period; and after a first time delay of a second group of one or more other wind turbines, control the second group to operate in the power saving mode for a predefined second power saving period. The first time delay of the first group is less than the first time delay of the second group and the power saving mode inhibits a power consuming activity for the wind turbines operating in the power saving mode.

Techniques for controlling the yaw of a wind turbine system by controlling a plurality of yaw drive actuators. Based on a requested motor speed reference as an input signal, and a mean motor speed reference as a feedback signal, the method determines a required motor torque reference as an output signal for the plurality of yaw drive actuators. The plurality of yaw drive actuators rotates a nacelle or a structure comprising a plurality of nacelles such that an even load distribution is provided for the plurality of yaw drive actuators.

A hydroelectric power generation system includes a water turbine, a generator connected to the water turbine, and a controller. The water turbine is arranged in a flow path through which a fluid flows. The controller performs a pressure control by controlling the generator to regulate a pressure of the fluid downstream of the water turbine. The pressure control includes a first control regulating the pressure in parallel with a regenerative operation of the generator, and a second control regulating the pressure in parallel with a power running operation of the generator.

The system and method of the present disclosure is configured to monitor changes associated with an air gap by: (1) receiving one or more sensor signals from one or more sensors that are indicative of changes associated with the air gap; and (2) comparing the changes associated with the air gap to certain thresholds to determine if the air gap is in need of attention. The system includes at least one proximity sensor arranged adjacent to the air gap, to monitor the air gap, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the sensor signal(s) indicative of the changes associated with the air gap. The controller also is configured to compare the changes associated with the air gap to one or more air gap thresholds, and to implement a control action based on this comparison.

Methods and apparatus for reducing peak power consumption of a grid connected power plant having a plurality of wind turbines. In response to determining that a power production value of the power plant is below a power threshold, one method includes: after a first time delay of a first group of one or more wind turbines, control the first group to operate in a power saving mode for a predefined first power saving period; and after a first time delay of a second group of one or more other wind turbines, control the second group to operate in the power saving mode for a predefined second power saving period. The first time delay of the first group is less than the first time delay of the second group and the power saving mode inhibits a power consuming activity for the wind turbines operating in the power saving mode.

A method for estimating a temperature of a motor of a pitch drive mechanism of a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes monitoring, via at least one sensor, an actual temperature and at least one additional operating condition of the motor during a normal operating period of the wind turbine. The method also includes storing, via a pitch controller, the monitored temperatures and the monitored additional operating conditions of the motor for the normal operating period. Further, the method includes determining a relationship between the monitored temperatures and the monitored additional operating conditions of the motor for the normal operating period. Thus, in the event that the sensor fails to operate, the method includes determining, via the pitch controller, an estimated temperature of the motor based on the relationship.

A multistage wind turbine or network of wind turbines with improved and optimized wind-directing, wind-shaping, and wind-power conversion features indicates that the shapes of these features directly affect the ability of the multistage wind turbine to use the power of moving air, such as wind, to spin a rotor and create torque on a rotor shaft to generate electricity. The wind-power-conversion mechanical efficiency described significantly improves upon previous designs by conversion of wind energy into electrical power at a superior price-to-performance ratio compared with existing alternative energy technologies.

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 wind turbine comprises a hub, a blade rotatably mounted to the hub, and a pitch system. The pitch system includes a support, a first drive configured to rotate the blade relative to the support, a second drive configured to rotate the support relative to the hub. The support is configured to be selectively fixed relative to the blade and the hub such that the first or second drive may be used to pitch the blade. A method of pitch corresponding to this operation is provided.

The present invention provides a system and method for converting wave energy into electric energy in an intelligent, practical, and efficient manner. The system utilizes a power input shaft coupled with a vertically reciprocating buoy to rotate a crank gear and a ratchet gear meshing therewith. An intelligent control system is included to monitor, control, and optimize the operations of the system. The length of the power input shaft is adjusted in response to water level fluctuations so that the rotational motion of the crank gear is intelligently controlled within a predetermined desirable region for maximum efficiency.