GB201200491D0 — Method for operating a wind turbine generator

USPTO Abstract

Controlling a power output of a wind turbine generator comprising obtaining operating parameters of the generator, obtaining operating conditions for the generator and then calculating the amount of fatigue or damage caused to the wind turbine generator or components under the operating conditions. Preferably, the proportion of total life consumed for a component and the equivalent cost per unit time of running a component are calculated and comparing the cost per unit time of running a component with a value per unit time of electricity generated by the wind turbine. A method of operating a wind turbine is also claimed, based on fatigue or damage, where the rate of fatigue may be calculated using models of the wind turbine generator or its components and where the model may be based on a metamodel or by an Equivalent Operating Hours approach.