Method of retrofitting a wind turbine

Abstract

A method of retrofitting a wind turbine (10) having a wind turbine tower (12) and a first energy generating unit (14) includes rotating at least a portion of the wind turbine tower (12). The wind turbine tower (12) is secured to a foundation (16) and has a first position on the foundation (16). The method includes rotating at least a portion of the wind turbine tower (12) from the first position to a second position. In the second position, the portion experiences less stress when the wind turbine (10) is operated in the same prevailing wind. The wind turbine tower (12) may have at least two sections (12a, 12b, 12c) and wherein rotating includes rotating one section relative to another section. One section may be secured to a foundation (16). In that case, rotating may or may not include rotating the section secured to the foundation (16). Rotating the tower may occur after the first energy generating unit (14) is removed from the tower and may include rotating the wind turbine tower by an angle from 90°±15° relative to the first position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.