Wind Turbine Sensors

“Wind Turbine Sensors” starts with a discussion on how wind turbines generate energy and the major parts of a wind turbine. It then moves to a deep dive on the mechanical components (turbine blades, hub assembly, gearbox. yaw drive, brakes) and the sensors that monitor these components. Then we discuss the generator and transformer and sensors for these electrical components. Finally, we discuss the sensors that measure the wind speed and sensors that optimize electrical power. Wind Turbine Sensors can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5350, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.

• How Wind Turbines Work
• In this module students will learn about wind turbine architecture and how wind energy is captured
• Electromechanical Components
• In this module students will learn about electromechanical components and sensors that monitor them
• Power Generation and Monitoring
• In this module students will learn about electrical power generation and sensors to monitor it
• Sensors Critical to Wind Turbine Efficiency
• In this module students will learn how to measure wind velocity near the blades and far upstream, as well as turbine pitch and angular speed.