Patent ID: 8093737

Claim:
A method for operating a wind turbine comprising: providing a wind turbine having 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; obtaining at least two measured operational parameters from one or more sensors; comparing the at least two measured operational parameters to a mechanical load of the turbine, wherein if the mechanical load of the turbine is decreased as a result of the at least two measured operational parameters, then a speed control adjustment method is activated, the speed control adjustment method comprising: determining 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 configuring the control system with the adjusted rotational speed set point wherein the adjusted rotational speed set point increases the maximum rotational speed set point of the wind turbine.