Wind energy plays a critical role in building a sustainable future. Around the world and in our country, the rapidly increasing number of wind power plants (WPP) produces clean electricity through massive wind turbines. These turbines are manufactured by leading industry brands such as GE Vernova, Siemens Gamesa, Vestas, Nordex, Goldwind, Enercon, and MingYang. Although these companies develop products that meet high engineering and durability standards, over time or due to environmental factors, critical electronic and mechanical components of turbines may experience failures.
In this article, we focus on the most common wind turbine failures, especially the repair processes of sensitive components such as electronic boards, inverters, and touch screens. Our goal is to help you understand the causes of these failures and ensure the uninterrupted operation of your wind energy systems through our professional repair services.
Leading Brands in the Wind Turbine Industry
The main manufacturers operating in the wind energy sector are global giants driving the worldwide energy transition. Each stands out with its own technological approach and market strategy:
- GE Vernova (formerly GE Renewable Energy): A global leader offering high-performance and reliable solutions with a wide portfolio of onshore and offshore wind turbines.
- Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy: Another major brand known for its innovative technologies and strong presence in both onshore and offshore wind projects.
- Nordex: A German manufacturer specializing in onshore wind turbines, offering highly efficient products backed by over 35 years of experience.
- Vestas Turbine: One of the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturers, the Danish company Vestas leads the industry with both onshore and offshore solutions.
- Goldwind: Based in China, Goldwind stands out for its Permanent Magnet Direct Drive (PMDD) turbine technology, known for high reliability.
- Enercon: The German company Enercon is renowned for its gearless direct-drive technology, offering high efficiency and low maintenance requirements.
- MingYang Smart Energy: The Chinese brand MingYang is a strong player in large-scale offshore wind turbines designed to withstand extreme marine conditions.
Each of these brands contributes significantly to the advancement of wind energy technology and supports global energy production with thousands of turbines worldwide. However, these complex systems can occasionally encounter technical issues.
Common Electronic and Mechanical Failures in Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are exposed to constantly changing wind conditions, high mechanical stress, and complex electronic systems, which can lead to various failures. These faults can reduce efficiency, halt energy production, and even create serious safety risks. The most common types of failures and affected components include:
1. Electronic Board Failures
The control systems of wind turbines — including the generator, inverter, and other subsystems — are managed through complex electronic boards. These boards function as the “brain” of the turbine, and when they fail, the entire system may stop operating.
- Causes: Power fluctuations, overheating, humidity, vibration, manufacturing defects, or component aging.
- Symptoms: Turbine not operating, incorrect measurements, signal transmission errors, or system lock-ups.
- Affected Boards: Main control boards, pitch control boards, inverter control boards, generator control boards.
Replacing faulty electronic boards is often costly. However, through our electronic board repair service, we restore these boards to their original functionality, helping you save costs and reduce environmental impact.
2. Inverter Failures
Inverters are used in wind turbines to make the generated electricity suitable for the grid or to store it in batteries. Especially in variable-speed turbines, power inverters — which convert the generator’s AC power to DC and then back to grid-compatible AC — are critical components. An inverter failure can completely stop the turbine from generating electricity.
- Causes: Overloading, overheating, power quality issues, IGBT failures, capacitor aging, control board malfunctions.
- Symptoms: Energy production stoppage, error codes, abnormal noises, smoke, or burning smell.
Inverters are among the most expensive components of wind turbines. Therefore, repairing a faulty inverter is often a far more economical solution than replacing it. Our expert team diagnoses and repairs all types of inverter issues to restore your turbine’s full performance.
3. Touch Screen and Operator Panel Failures
Modern wind turbines are equipped with touch-screen operator panels that allow operators to monitor the turbine status and make adjustments. These screens may fail due to environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), physical impact, or long-term use.
- Causes: Physical damage (cracks, breaks), loss of touch sensitivity, no display, or liquid contact.
- Symptoms: Screen not responding, distorted image, inability to control functions.
A malfunctioning touch screen makes monitoring and controlling the turbine difficult. Through our Touch Screen Repair service, we restore these panels to full working condition, ensuring smooth operator functionality.
4. Other Electrical and Mechanical Failures
In addition to the above, many other types of failures can occur in wind turbines:
- Generator Failures: Winding short circuits, bearing damage, brush and commutator issues.
- Sensor and Actuator Failures: Malfunctioning sensors that measure wind speed, direction, or temperature, and actuators controlling pitch/yaw systems.
- Cable and Connection Problems: Loose connections, cable wear, or corrosion.
- Software and Communication Errors: Inability of the turbine to communicate with the central control system or software freezes.
Our Professional Repair and Component Supply Services
Failures in wind turbines require expert intervention and specialized equipment. With our experience in the wind energy industry, we offer repair and component supply services for all wind turbine parts — regardless of brand.
- Brand-Independent Solutions: We provide repair and maintenance services for turbine components from all major brands, including GE Vernova, Siemens Gamesa, Vestas, Nordex, Goldwind, Enercon, and MingYang.
- Electronic Component Supply: We supply all types of electronic materials required for the repair or replacement of faulty components through our Electronic Component Supply service.
- Electronic Board Repair: We identify and repair faults in complex control boards using advanced diagnostic equipment. For details, visit our Electronic Board Repair page.
- Touch Screen Repair: We professionally fix touch screen failures in operator panels. Learn more about our Touch Screen Repair service.
- Comprehensive Repair Services: We offer general repair solutions for inverters, generators, sensors, and all other electrical and mechanical components.
Your Reliable Partner for Wind Energy Investments
The efficient and uninterrupted operation of your wind power plants is crucial for the return on your investment and achieving your sustainable energy goals. Fast, accurate, and professional intervention in turbine failures prevents high costs and long downtimes.
We provide comprehensive repair and component supply solutions for all electronic and mechanical faults in your wind turbines, securing your energy production. With our reliable, fast, and cost-effective solutions, we help you protect the value of your wind energy investments. Feel free to contact us for your needs!
