System and method for preventing excessive loading on a wind turbine

A method for preventing excessive loading on a wind turbine, the method comprising:

• estimating, via a processor, a current wind parameter representative of a wind speed using at least one operating condition, the operating condition indicative of wind turbine operation;
• calculating a standard deviation of a plurality of a stored current wind turbine parameters via the processor;
• determining, via the processor, a loading condition representing a steady-state load from turbine operation and dynamically fluctuating loads due to environmental conditions the loading condition based on the sum of a standard deviation of the current wind parameter;
• determining a parameter setpoint, via the processor, based on the current wind parameter, the parameter setpoint reflective of a loading of the wind turbine before excessive loading occurs;
• varying the parameter setpoint with the current wind turbine parameter;
• and
• controlling the wind turbine, via a controller, based on a difference between the loading condition and the parameter setpoint to prevent excessive loading on the wind turbine.

A method for preventing excessive loading on a wind turbine, the method comprising:

• determining a current thrust parameter, via a processor, based on a plurality of operating conditions, the operating conditions indicative of wind turbine operation;
• storing the current thrust parameter in a memory store over a predetermined time period;
• calculating a standard deviation, via the processor, of a plurality of the stored current thrust parameters;
• applying one of a constant gain or variable gain to the standard deviation;
• determining a future thrust parameter via the processor;
• calculating, via the processor, a maximum thrust parameter representing a steady-state load from turbine operation and dynamically fluctuating loads due to environmental conditions as a function of the sum of the standard deviation and the future wind turbine parameter;
• and,
• implementing a control action, via a controller, based on a difference between the maximum thrust parameter and a parameter setpoint to prevent excessive loading on the wind turbine.