Simulation Based Approach to Predict Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Faults using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Use of on-line fault detection techniques is integral to successful operation and maintenance of a wind turbine installation. The deployment of condition monitoring systems needs to be structured and sensitive to likely faults that may occur. In this work effects of blade faults have been simulated to understand sensitivity of blade faults on torque output. It is expected that this will help in developing a blade related condition monitoring strategy for a wind turbine system. It has been seen that instantaneous torque is a strong function of any blade imbalance and the torque output can be used successfully to identify initiation of blade imbalance related effects.