Abstract:
Wind energy turbines are relatively expensive capital goods, in terms of size and output design, which need to be protected against destructive forces, damage or other causes of a malfunction of a wind energy turbine, if the promised long service life of the wind energy turbine is to be obtained. At the same time, it is always desirable to operate wind energy turbines with the maximum possible output in order to achieve the highest possible energy yield. Both objectives, (i.e. a long service life and the highest possible energy yield) are in part diametrically opposed. In principle it would be possible to operate a wind energy turbine partly in an overload range to increase the energy yield; this would however simultaneously lead to a significant shortening of the service life. If, on the other hand, a wind energy turbine is operated in very low wind speed ranges, the turbine has better protection than others, but its energy yield is insufficient. The aim of the invention is to provide measures and options for protecting a wind energy turbine against damage or other causes of a malfunction of a wind energy turbine, whilst at the same time achieving the maximum possible energy yield. The invention also relates to a wind energy turbine comprising a SODAR system, which is mounted on the nacelle of the wind energy turbine and which captures data from the area in front of the rotor of the wind energy turbine.