Observer Based Detection of Sensor Faults in Wind Turbines

Abstract

An observer based scheme is proposed to detect sensor faults in wind turbines. In the example used for the proposed scheme the wind turbine drive train is considered. A model of the drive train is used to design the observer, and in this model the wind speed is an important input, however, if an unknown input observer the fault detection scheme can be non dependent on the actual wind speed. The scheme is validated on data from a more advanced and detailed simulation model. The proposed scheme detects the sensor faults a few samples after the beginning of the faults.