Pressure measurement device and method for determining wind force at wind energy installations

A method for determining wind force acting on a rotor blade having outer shell, using an evaluation unit, by a method comprising:

• measuring a first pressure at a first side of the outer shell facing a wind and a second pressure at a second side of the outer shell averted from the wind;
• comparing pressure at the first side of the outer shell facing the wind with the second pressure at the second side of the outer shell averted from the wind to obtain a comparison value;
• and
• determining a measured value for the wind force acting on the rotor blade from the comparison value.

A method for at least one of optimized operation and protection of a wind energy installation having a plurality of rotor blades, each having an outer shell, comprising:

• measuring, for each rotor blade, a first pressure at a first side of the outer shell facing a wind and a second pressure at a second side of the outer shell averted from the wind;
• comparing, for each rotor blade, pressure at the first side of the outer shell facing the wind with the second pressure at the second side of the outer shell averted from the wind to obtain a comparison value;
• determining, for each rotor blade, a measured value for the wind force acting on each individual rotor blade from the comparison value;
• and
• aligning each rotor blade about a longitudinal axis thereof as a function of the wind force determined for that rotor blade.