System and method for controlling a wind turbine to protect the wind turbine from anomalous operations

A system for controlling a wind turbine, the system comprising:

• a sensor system comprising at least one sensor operably coupled to a component of the wind turbine so as to detect an anomalous operational event of the wind turbine;
• a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor system, the controller comprising at least one processor configured to perform a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations comprising:
• receiving data indicative of the anomalous operational event of the wind turbine,
• in response to receiving the data indicative of the anomalous operation of the wind turbine, initiating an enhanced braking mode for the wind turbine, the enhanced braking mode comprising, at least, a first enhanced braking mode, the first enhanced braking mode being characterized by operating a generator of the wind turbine at a torque setpoint that generates a maximum available torque for a given set of operating conditions and which is in excess of a nominal torque limit of the generator and operating the wind turbine in the first enhanced braking mode, the first enhanced braking mode comprising:
• determining, with a converter controller of the wind turbine, an actual operating parameter for each of a plurality of electrical system components;
• determining, with the converter controller, an actual operating limit for each of the electrical system components based on the determined actual operating parameters, the actual operating limit indicating an operating parameter value below which the electrical system components retain a nominal life expectancy, wherein operating the electrical system components below the actual operating limit precludes the tripping of the electrical system components;
• determining, with the converter controller, an enhanced torque limit for the generator relative to the actual operating limit for each of the electrical system components and at least one mechanical limit of a drivetrain of the wind turbine;
• and,
• establishing, with the converter controller, the torque setpoint relative to the enhanced torque limit.