Effects of Operational and Environmental Conditions on Estimated Dynamic Characteristics of a Large In-service Wind Turbine

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The reliable and continuous operation of wind turbines is of utmost importance, making it necessary to thoroughly understand their dynamic behavior under various operational and environmental conditions. Methods To achieve this, a data acquisition system distributed throughout the tower height is designed. The system records data such as the acceleration, temperature, and relative humidity from the sensors, along with the rotor speed, wind speed, temperature, pitch angle, nacelle direction, and wind direction from the data acquisition system of the turbine. The acquired data is synchronized and processed by Autonomous and Continuous System Identification system based on the poly-reference Least Squares Complex Frequency method. The extensive dataset, gathered over a 7-month period, allows for the estimation of modal parameters of the wind turbine. The modal parameters are then correlated with the operational and environmental conditions that were recorded. The relationships between these conditions are thoroughly analyzed and explained. Additionally, the operational principles of the wind turbine are elucidated in detail. The correlations between the modal parameters and operational or environmental factors are presented and interpreted, shedding light on the complex interplay between wind turbine dynamics and external conditions. Conclusion It can be said that changes in operational and environmental conditions affect the modal parameters of the wind turbine differently across various structural modes. Without considering these effects, structural health monitoring systems may produce false alarms. Failure to consider these effects in the development of structural health monitoring systems may lead to incorrect damage alarms.