Patent ID: 8212373

Claim:
A wind plant comprising: a plurality of wind turbines, each of the plurality of wind turbines comprising: a variable speed control system, the control system having an initial rotational speed set point value, wherein the initial rotational speed set point value is a maximum rotational speed set point for the wind turbine; at least one sensor arranged and disposed to obtain at least two measured operational parameters; and wherein the control system is selectively configured to compare the at least two measured operation parameters to a mechanical load of the wind turbine, wherein if the mechanical load of the wind turbine is decreased as a result of the at least two measured operational parameters, then a speed control adjustment program is activated, wherein the speed adjustment control program determines an adjusted rotational speed set point greater than the initial rotational speed set point value in response to the at least two measured and compared operational parameters; and wherein the adjusted rotational speed set point increases the maximum rotational speed set point of the wind turbine.