General Electric Company
System and method for protecting wind turbines during wind gusts

Abstract:

A system and method for protecting a wind turbine from extreme wind gusts includes monitoring a wind speed and a wind direction at the wind turbine. The method also includes determining a wind gust threshold, wherein wind speeds and wind directions exceeding the wind gust threshold, respectively, are indicative of an extreme wind gust occurring at the wind turbine. In addition, the method includes comparing, via a controller, the monitored wind speed or a function thereof and the wind direction or function thereof to the wind gust threshold, respectively. Thus, the method includes implementing, via a controller, a corrective action when the monitored wind speed and the monitored wind direction exceed the wind gust threshold, respectively.