Full Description

This part of IEC 61400-12 specifies a procedure for measuring the nacelle transfer function of a single electricity-producing, horizontal axis wind turbine, which is not considered to be a small wind turbine in accordance with IEC 61400-2. It is expected that this document be used when a valid nacelle transfer function is needed to execute a power performance measurement according to IEC 61400-12-2.

A wind speed measured on the nacelle or hub of a wind turbine is affected by the turbine rotor (i.e. speeded up or slowed down wind speed). In IEC 61400-12-1, an anemometer is located on a meteorological tower that is located between two and four rotor diameters upwind of the test turbine. This location allows direct measurement of the "free" wind with minimum interference from the test turbine's rotor. In the procedure of this document, the anemometer is located on or near the test turbine's nacelle. In this location, the anemometer is measuring a wind speed that is strongly affected by the test turbine's rotor and the nacelle. The procedure in this document includes methods for determining and applying appropriate corrections for this interference. However, note that these corrections inherently increase the measurement uncertainty compared to a properly configured test conducted in accordance with IEC 61400-12-1.

This document specifies how to characterise a wind turbine's nacelle transfer function. The nacelle transfer function is determined by collecting simultaneous measurements of nacelle-measured wind speed and free stream wind speed (as measured on a meteorological mast) for a period that is long enough to establish a statistically significant database over a range of wind speeds and under varying wind and atmospheric conditions. The procedure also provides guidance on determination of measurement uncertainty including assessment of uncertainty sources and recommendations for combining them.