Wind Turbine Failures Review and Trends

Challenges on prognostics and health management for wind turbine components

“…Additionally, failures associated with the gearbox, rotor blades, yaw system, and generator represent a higher expenditure, in that specified order [23]. Santelo et al [24] divided the failure periods into two main categories: premature failure period and full time working period. They concluded that the pitch system, converter, generator, and yaw system are the most critical components in the infant mortality period (up to 6 years from the beginning).…”

“…Every component within a WT has its unique set of failure modes, and the associated downtime contributions are carefully documented and analyzed. The main failure modes of these components are presented in Table 1 [22,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32].…”

“…Generator-related failures, encompassing wearing, electrical issues, and overheating, can affect power generation [30,31]. Yaw system failures, such as gear abrasions and brake issues, may compromise the WT's ability to align with the wind [24,32]. Blade failures, including crack fatigue and corrosion, pose structural risks and aerodynamic imbalances [32].…”

Integer and Fractional-Order Sliding Mode Control Schemes in Wind Energy Conversion Systems: Comprehensive Review, Comparison, and Technical Insight

“…Electronic devices are the backbone for the control and flexible operation of grid-connected WECS in transient and steady-state operation [27,28]. Before introducing AC-DC-AC converters in the 2000s, soft starters were initially used in the 1980s for the grid connection of SCIGs [29]. In contrast, chopper circuits combined with diode bridges were utilized to control WRIGs using rotor resistance [30].…”

“…In contrast, the PMSG-WECS employs full-scale power converters and thus provides a complete decoupling from grid faults, which is much better [38,39]. Several typologies of grid-connected direct-driven PMSG-WECS are presented in [29,[40][41][42][43], which include diode rectifiers [44], two-level back-to-back converters [45], Z-sources, multilevel converters, matrix converters, and nine switch ac-ac converter typologies. Multipole wound rotor synchronous generators are commonly used in low or variable speed areas due to their simple pitch control, low cost, high mechanical stress absorption, and torque ripple compensation capability [33].…”