A data acquisition platform for the development of a wind turbine condition monitoring system

Often condition monitoring (CM) system developers use simulation or test rig data due to a lack of actual wind turbine measurements however, this data may not necessarily reflect processes happening in the real turbine application. In order to determine different patterns of machinery deterioration, precise data of existing parameters at higher sampling frequencies up to 20 kHz is needed. Additional parameters, not currently commonly monitored, like turbine vibration or tower movement, are also desired. In this paper the design of a data acquisition (DAQ) platform to be mounted on a 660 kW Vestas V47 wind turbine is presented. The requirements and limitations of the data acquisition application are discussed. A detailed explanation of the data acquisition program developed in LabVIEW as well as the possibilities for remotely controlling this process are given. Finally, different methodologies for handling, storing and accessing large volumes of data are presented with the authors' optimal solution highlighted.