Detection of Wind Turbine Failures through Cross-Information between Neighbouring Turbines

Abstract

In this paper, the time variation of signals from several SCADA systems of geographically closed turbines are analysed and compared. When operating correctly, they show a clear pattern of joint variation. However, the presence of a failure in one of the turbines causes the signals from the faulty turbine to decouple from the pattern. From this information, SCADA data is used to determine, firstly, how to derive reference signals describing this pattern and, secondly, to compare the evolution of different turbines with respect to this joint variation. This makes it possible to determine whether the behaviour of the assembly is correct, because they maintain the well-functioning patterns, or whether they are decoupled. The presented strategy is very effective and can provide important support for decision making in turbine maintenance and, in the near future, to improve the classification of signals for training supervised normality models. In addition to being a very effective system, it is a low computational cost strategy, which can add great value to the SCADA data systems present in wind farms.