241176 SYSTEM, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A WIND TURBINE USING DArA QUALITY INDICATORS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The subject matter described herein relates generally to monitoring wind turbines and, more particularly, to processing operating information for one or more wind turbines based on an indication of data quality, [0002J Wind turbines utilize wind energy to generate or produce electrical power, Multiple wind turbines may be installed at a site to form a wind farm. '1'0 facilitate effective operation of a wind turbine, at least some known monitoring s.ystcms collect datil, such as operating parameters, from onc or more v'lind turbines and present the data to an operator. optionally performing one or more calculations on the data prior to presentation. [0003] However, not al1 data from a wind turbine is of cqual quality or reliability. For example, an operating parameter may be overridden by a human operator or may be based on a past signal from a sensor that has since become inoperable. Further, where operating information is calculated from multiple operating parameters, inaccuracy in one or more of those operating parameters may produce inaccuracy in the calculated operating information. Regardless, the calculated operating information may be valuable to an operator and should not be automatically discarded. Accordingly, a need exists for a svstem that processes operating information for a wind turbine based on the reliability of the data On which the operating information is based. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0004] In one aspect, a system for monitoring a wind turbine is provided. The system includes a controller that is operatively coupled to the wind turbine. The controller is configured to generate an operating parameter having a parameter value received from a source and a data quality value. The data CJuality valuc indicatcs at Icast onc of the source of the parameter value and a reliability of thc paramcter value. Thc system also includes a scrver 241 176 computing dcvice that is coupled in signal communication with the controllct and configurcd to acquire the opcrating paramcter from the controllcr. Thc servcr computing dcvicc is also configurcd to proccss the opcrating parameter based at least in part on thc data quality value. [0005] In another aspect, a devicc for monitoring a wind turbine is provided. Thc dcviec includes a communication interfacc configured to receive a plurality of operating parameters for at Icast one wind turbinc. Each operating paramcter of the plurality of opcrating parameters includcs a parameter valuc and a data quality valuc. The data quality valuc indicatcs at Icast one of a sourcc of the parameter value and a reliability of the paramcter valuc. Thc dcvice also includcs a proccssor coupled to the communication interface and programmed to proccss at least onc operating parametcr of the plurality of opcrating parameters based at least in part on the corresponding data quality value. [0006J In yct anothcr aspcct, a mcthod for monitoring a wind turbinc is providcd. The method includes creating, by a controller operatively coupled to the wind turbinc, an operating parameter having a parameter value based on a signal received by' the controller from a source. A data quality value is assigned to the operating parameter by a computing device. The data quality value indicates at least one of the source of the parametcr valuc and a reliability of the paramctcr value. The operating parametcr is processed based at least in part on the data quality value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [OOOTI Fig. j is a perspective view of an exemplary wind turbine. [OOOS] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary systcm for monitoring the wind turbine shown in Fig. 1. [0009] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wind turbine controllcr for use with thc system shown in Fig. 2. [OO]()] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary scrver computing device for use with the system shown in Fig. 2. 2 241176 [OOlI] Fig. S is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary user computing device ror usc with the system shown in Fig. 2. [O0l2] Fig. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for monitoring a wind turbine. [OOJ 3] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of an excmplary method for assigning a data quality value to an operati ng parameter. [OOJ4] Fig. S is an exemplary user interface for graphically representing operating parameters based on data quality values. [OOIS] Fig. 9 illustrates exemplary single-parameter information panels for usc in the user interface of Fig. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OFTHE INVENTION [0016] The embodiments described herein facilitate monitoring one or more wind turbines based on the reliability and/or quality of the operating datil on which the operating information is based. The operating data arc provided in the form of operating parameters, which include a parameter value and a data quality value. Operating parameters may include other attributes, such as a timestamp, a parameter type (e.g., wind speed, temperature, wind turbine power output, or site power output), and/or an identifier of a wind turbine or a wind turbine controller corresponding to the operating parameter. [OOJ 7] In SOme embodiments, a wind turbine controller creates an operating parameter (c.g' l based on a signal from a sensor) and transmits the operating parameter to a server computing device, which transmits the operating parameter to a user computing device. The wind turbine controller, the server computing device, and/or the user computing device may assign a data quality value to the operating parameter. [OOlS] A data quality value generally indicates the reliability of an operating parameter. For example, a temperature value provided by a sensor one minute prior may be considered a more reliable indication of current temperature than a temperature value from one hour prior. Similarly, a tcmperature value entered by a humall operator may be cOllsidercd less 3 241 J 76 reliable than a temperature value provided by a sensor. A data quality value may bc determincd based on a source of the data, an age of the data, and/or whether the data falls within a range of reasonable values, for example, though any attribute indicating a reliability of the data is contemplatcd. For example, available data quality values may includc normal, estimated. forced, operator entcred, component operator entered, alternate data source, stale, unreasonable, alarm. unsynchronized, communication failure, delayed, or questionable. [O(J] 9] A data quality value of normal may be used to indicate that a paramcter value is within an expected range and was provided by an expected source and in an expected manner. For example, an operating parameter based on a signal from a sensor that appears to be operating correctly may have a data quality of normal. A data quality value of normal reflects a high level of reliability. [0020] A data quality value of estimated may be assigned to an operating parameter or value that is calculated using one or more other operating parametcrs as input. For example, if one input to the calculation has a non-normal data quality, the calculated value may have a data quality of estimated. A data quality value of estimated indicatcs a moderatc level of reliability. [0021] A data quality value of forced may be assigned to an operating parameter that is manually entered by a human operator. For example, the manually entered value may override a value that would normally be provided by a sensor signal. The forced data quality may be further subdivided into data quality values of operator entered and component operator entered. A data quality value of operator entered may indicate that a parameter value was entered or overridden by a human operator at a user computing dcvice. For cxample, a user may modify a paramctcr valuc at the user computing device used to display the operating information. A data quality value of component operator entered may indicate that a paramcter valuc was entered or overridden al a wind turbine controller. A data quality value of forccd indicates a moderatc or low level of reliability. f(J022] A data quality valuc of alternate data source may indicate that a valuc is provided by a non-standard source. For example, wherc a parameter value is typically provided by a sensor. the parameter value may be associated with a data quality of alternate data source if 4 241176 the paramcter value is instead provided by simulation software. A data quality value or alternate data source indicates a low level of reliability. [0023] A data quality valuc of stale may indicate that a parameter value is based on data that has not heen updated as reccntly as expected. For example, ir a sensor fails to provide a signal: or a wind turbine controller fails to provide an operating paramclcL a rceCll1 operating parameter may be used, but with a data quality of stale. A data quality value or stale indicates a moderate level or reliability. [0024] A data quality value of unreasonable may indicate that a parameter value is outside a range of reasonable values. The reasonable value range may be defined at a wind turbine controller, a server computing device, or a user computing device. For example, a reasonable value range for power output may be defined as 0 to 2,000 kilowatts (kW). A parameter value below 0 kW or above 2,000 kW would be assigned a data quality value of unreasonable. A data quality value of unrcasonable indicates a low level of reliability. [002S] A data quality value of alarm may indicate that a parameter valuc exceeds an alarm threshold value. For example, an alarm threshold value for power output may be defined as J.SOO kW. A data quality value of alarm may indicate a high or moderate level of reliabil it v. [0026] A data quality value of unsynchronized may indicate that one device reported a time value that is different from the time value reported by another device. For example, a wind turbine controller may providc an operating parameter with a time valuc that is substantially different from a current time value reported by a server computing device. A data quality value of unsynchronized indicates a moderate level of reliability. [0027] A clata quality value of communication failure may indicate a failure in communication \vith a device from which a signal or an operating parameter is expected. For example, a wincl turbine controller creates an operating parameter with a data quality value of communication failure if a sensor fails to provide a signal. Similarly, a server computing device ma)1 assign a data quality value of communication failure to an operating parameter if a wincl 5 241176 turbine controller fails to provide an operating parameter. communication failure indicates a low level of reliability. A data quality value of [0028] A data quality value of delayed may indicate that a parameter value is older than expected. For example, a wind turbine controller. a server computing device, and/or a user computing device may be configured 10 receive a signal or an operating parameter according to a specified period. If a signal or operating parameter is not received after the period elapses, the most recent signal or operating parameter may be used with a clala quality value or delayed. A data quality value of delayed indicates a moderate level of reliability. [0029] A data quality value of questionable may be assigned if a source and/or reliability of the data is not known. For example, if an operating parameter includes an unrecognized data quality value, a data quality value of questionable may be assigned to the operating parameter. A data quality value of questionable may indicate a moderate or low level of reliability. [003U] The data quality values described above are exemplary only. Any data quality values and associated levels of reliability suitable for use with the embodiments described herein may be defined. Data quality values may be categorized by level of reliability, and an operating parameter may be processed based on a level of reliability associated with the data quality value of the operating parameter. [0031] Embodiments provided herein describe creating a graphical representation of an operating parameter. Graphical representations may include, without limitation, graphically rendered text, an icon, an image, and/or a chart or a portion thereof. Further, some embodiments facilitate graphically distinguishing such graphical representations from each other. Graphical distinction may be achieved by applying a fill pattern (e.g., hatching), a line pattern, a line weight, a color (e.g., a background color or a forcground color), a typeface, a font weight, an animation (e.g., blinking), and/or any other suitable means for distinguishing graphical clements from one another. 10032] An exemplary technical effect of the methods, system, and apparatus described herein includes at least one of: (a) creating an operating parameter having a parameter 241176 value based on a signal received by the controller from a source; (b) assigning a data quality value to the operating parameter, the data quality value indicating at least one 01 the source of the parameter value and a reliability of the parameter value; and (c) processing the operating parameter based at least in part on the data quality value, [0033] Fig,] is a perspective view of an exemplary wind turbine 100, Wind turbine] 00 includes a nacelle] 02 that houses a generator (not shown in Fig, 1), Nacelle 102 is mounted on a tower] 04 (only a portion of tower J04 is shown in Fig, ]), Tower 104 may have any suitable height that facilitates operation of wind turbine JOO as described herein, In an exemplary embodiment, wind turbine 100 also includes a rotor 106 that includes three rotor blades lOS coupled to a rotating hub 110, Alternatively, wind turbine 100 may include any number of rotor blades ]OS that enable operation of wind turbine 100 as described herein, In an exemplary embodiment, wind turbine] 00 includes a gearbox (not shown) that is rotatingly coupled to rotor] 06 and to the generator, [0034] 1n some embodiments, wind turbine JOO includes one or more sensors ]20 (shown in Figs, 2 and 3), Sensors] 20 sense or detect wind turbine operating conditions, For example, sensor(s) 120 may includc a wind speed and/or a direction sensor (e,g" an anemometer), an ambient air temperature sensor, an air density sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a power output sensor, a blade pitch sensor, a turbine speed sensor, a gear ratio sensor, and/or any sensor suitable lor usc with wind turbine JOO, Each sensor] 20 is located according to its function, For example, an anemometer may be positioned on an outside surface 01 n,lcelle 102, such that the anemometer is exposed to air surrounding wind turbine 100, Each sensor 120 generates and transmits one or more signals corresponding 10 a detected operating condition, For example, an anemometer transmits a signal indicating a wind speed and/or a wind direction, Moreover, each sensor 120 may transmit a signal continuously, periodically, or only once, for example, though other signal timings are also contemplated, Furthermore, each sensor 120 may transmit a signal either in an analog form or in a digital lorm, [0035] Fig, 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary system 200 for monitoring one or more wind turbines] 00, System 200 includes a network 205, For example, network 205 may include, without limitation, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide 7 241176 arca network (WAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a mesh network, and/or a virtual private network (VPN), [0036] A user computing devicc 210, a server computing device 215, and one or more wind turbine controllers 220 arc configured to be communicatively coupled to each other via nClwork 205. In somc embodiments, wind turbine controller 220 is configured to create an operating parameter having a parameter value and a data quality value. Server computing device 215 is configured to acquire the operating parameter from the wind turbine controlter and to transmit the operating parameter (e.g., to user computing device 210). User computing device 210 is configurcd to receive the operating parameter from server computing device 215 and to display a graphical representation of the operating parameter based at least in part on the data quality value. Such emboeliments are described in more detail below. [0037] User computing device 2JO, server computing device 215. and wind turbine controller 220 communicate with each other and/or network 205 using a wired network connection (e.g., Ethernet or an optical fibcr), a wireless communication means. such as radio frequency (RF), an Institute of Electrical anel Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard (e.g., 802.11 (g) or 802.11 (n)), the Worldwide Interopcrability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) standard, a cellular phone technology (e.g., the Global Standard for Mobile communication (GSM)), a satellite communication link, ill1e1/or any other suitable communication means. WIMAX is a registered trademark of WiMax Forum, of Beaverton, Oregon. IEEE is a registered trademark of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., of New York, New York. 10038] In some embodiments, one or more wind turbines 100 and one or more server computing devices 2 I5 arc located in a wind iiII'm, also relerred to as a "site." Wind turbines 100 and server computing device 2] 5 arc communicatively coupled to " wind farm network (not shown in Fig. 2), and the wind farm network is communicatively coupled to network 205. In addition, or alternatively, one or more server computing devices 215 may be communicatively coupled to network 205 from a location other than a wind farm. In one embodiment, one or more server computing devices 215 is communicatively coupled to network 205 from a centralized monitoring and/or control facility. Server computing device 215 communicates with another server computing device 215 and/or one or more wind turbine 8 24] 176 controllers 220 at one or more wind farms. Such an embodiment facilitates monitoring multiple wind farms from a remote location. [0039] Each of user computing device 2]0, server computing device 2]5, and wind turbine controller 220 includes a processor, as shown in Figs. 3-5. A processor may include a proccssing unit, such as, without limitation, an integrated circuit (lC). an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and/or any other programmable circuit. A processor may inClude multiple processing units (e.g., in a multi-core configuration). Each of user computing device 210, server computing device 215, and wind turbine controller 220 is configurable to perform the operations described herein by programming the corresponding processor. For example, a processor may be programmed by encoding an operation as one or more executable instructions and providing the executable instructions to the processor in a memory area (also shown in Figs. 3-5) coupled to the processor. A memory area may include, without limitation, one or more random access memory (RAM) devices, one or more storage devices, and/or one or more computer readable media. [0040] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wind turbine controller 220 for use with system 200. Wind turbine controller 220 includes a processor 305 for executing instructions. For example, instructions may be stored in a memory area 3] 0, which is coupled to processor 305, to program processor 305. [0041 J Wind turbine controller 220 also includes a communication interface 3]5. Communication interfacc 315 is configured to be communicatively coupled to one or more remote devices, such as user computing device 210 and/or server computing device 215. For example, communication interface 315 may be communicatively coupled 10 a remote device via network 205. [0042] In sOl11e embodil11cnts. wind turbine controllel' 220 includes one or 11101'C sensor interfaces 320. Scnsor interface 320 is configuredlo be coml11unicatively couplcdto onc or 1110re sensors 120 of wind turbine 100. Sensor interface 320 may be configul'ed to receive one or 1110re signals frol11 each sensor 120. 9 241176 I0043J In one embodiment. wind turbine controller 220 receives onc or more signals from sensor 120 via sensor interface 320 and processes the signal(s) by processor 305 to create one or morc operating condition values. In some embodimcnts. processor 3115 is programmed (e.g., with executable instructions in memory area 310) to sample a signal produced by sensor 120. For example, processor 305 may receive a continuous signal from sensor 120 and, in response. produce an operating condition value based on the continuous signal periodically (e.g., once every five seconds). In some embodiments, processor 305 normaliz.es a signal received from sensor 120. For example, an output sensor may produce an analog signal with a parameter (e.g., vOltage) that is directly proportional to a measured output wattage. Processor 305 may be programmed to convert the analog signal 10 an output wattage value. 101144] In an exemplary embodiment, wind turbine controller 2211 is configured to generate one or more operating parameters having a parameter value and a data quality value. The data quality value indicates a source and/or a reliability of the parameter value. For examplc, the data quality value may be normal, estimated, forced, operator entered, component operator entered. alternate data source, stale, unreasonable, alarm. unsynchronized. communication failure, delayed, or questionable. Wind turbine controller 220 may be configured to provide operating parameters to a remote device, such as server computing device 2] 5 Or user computing device 2JO, via communication interface 315. ln one embodimcnt, wind turbine controller 220 is configured to receive a signal from a sensor 120 and to create an operating parameter having a parameter value based on the received signal and having a data quality value of normal. [0045] In some embodiments, wind turbine controller 220 also includes a control interface 325, which is configured to be communicatively coupled to one or more control devices 330 of wind turbine 100. Control devices 330 arc configured to control an operation of wind turbinc 100 and may include, without limitation, a brake. a relay, a motor. and/or a servomechanism. In one embodiment. wind turbine control imerface 325 is configured to operate control device 330 including a brake to prevent hub 110 (shown in Fig. I) from rotating. In addition, or in the alternative, wind turbine control interface 325 may operate a control device 3.\0 including a blade pitch servomechanism to adjust one or more rotor blades IliS (shown in Fig. I) to a desired and/or predetermined pitch. The brake and the blade pitch servomechanism JO 241176 may be operated by the same control device 330 or a first control device 330 and a second control device 330. In one embodimellL wind turbine control interface 325 is configured to control an operation of wind turbine 100 via control device 330 based on a parametcr v'tluc and a data quality value of an operating parameter. For example, wind turbine control interface 325 may be configured to control an operation of wind turbine 100 based on operating parameters having a data quality value of normal and/or alarm, [0046] Wind turbine controller 220 may interact with a remote device. such as user computing device 210 or server computing device 215 (shown in Figs, 2, 4, and 5), In some embodiments, server computing device 215 is communicatively coupled to a plurality of wind turbines 100 via network 205, and one or more user computing devices 210 are communicatively coupled to server computing device 215, [004Tj Various connections are available between sensor interface 320 and sensor 120 and between wind turbine control interface 325 and wind turbine control device 330, Such connections include, without limitation, an electrical conductor. a low-level serial data connection. such as Recommended Standard (RS) 232 or RS-485, a high-level serial data connection, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 (a/k/a FlREWIRE), a parallel data connection, such as IEEE 1284 or IEEE 488, a short-range wireless communication channel such as BLUETOOTH, a private (e.g., accessible only inside or proximate to wind turbinc 1(0) network connection, whether wired or wireless. and/or any other connection type suitable for carrying communication and/or data signals. BLUETOOTI-I is a registcred trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc., of Bellevuc. Washington, [0048] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary server computing device 215 for use with systcm 200. Server computing devicc 2]5 includes a processor 4051'01' executing instructions. Instructions may be stored in a memory area 410, for example. Instructions may be provided for executing server applications including, without limitation, a rcal-time wind turbine monitoring system and/or ()PC (formerly Object Linking and Embedding for Process Control) server software. 11 241 176 [00491 Processor 405 is operatively coupled to a communication interface 415 such that server computing device 215 is capable of communicating with a remote device, such as one or more user computing devices 210, wind turbine controllers 220, and/or other server computing devices 2] 5. Processor 405 may also be operatively coupled to a storage device 4211. Storage device 420 is any computer-operated harchvarc suitable for storing and.or retrieving data. In some embodiments, storage device 420 is integrated in server computing device 215. For example, server computing device 215 may include one or more hard disk drives as storage device 420. In other embodiments, storage device 420 is external to server computing device 2]5 and may be accessed by a plurality of server computing devices 2]5. For example, storage device 420 may include multiple storage units, such as hard disks or solid state disks, in a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) configuration. Storage device 4211 may include a storage area network (SAN)