In the past, wind turbines were somewhat like a blind person trying to capture energy from the wind—relying on their "walking stick" and limited sensory input. However, with the rise of smart wind turbines, this has changed dramatically. As Wang Xiaoyu, vice president of short-term energy at Vision Energy (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., put it, "smart turbines can now 'see' the wind and make decisions in advance." This transformation is made possible by just one device: a laser radar, which allows turbines to sense wind conditions before they hit the blades.
This shift reflects a broader revolution in the wind and solar energy industries. According to Qin Haiyan, secretary-general of the Wind Energy Professional Committee at the Chinese Renewable Energy Society, wind turbines today are increasingly integrating Internet of Things (IoT), ICT, and intelligent data analysis technologies. These innovations are not just about improving performance—they're also about reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
At the 2017 Beijing International Wind Energy Conference, Wang Xiaoyu explained that traditional wind turbines were like "blind people" who could only rely on physical sensations to detect wind. They couldn't anticipate obstacles or adjust effectively. But with new smart technologies, such as machine vision and advanced radar systems, turbines can now "see" the wind ahead and respond accordingly.
The significance of giving wind turbines "eyes" is clear. By using lidar technology, companies can better predict wind direction, leading to more efficient power generation and reduced mechanical stress. Moreover, as lidar becomes more affordable and powerful, its application in commercial wind farms is becoming widespread.
Smart wind turbines and wind farms are no longer rare concepts. Major companies are now showcasing their intelligent solutions. From CSR Zhuzhou’s big data platforms to Vision Energy’s cost-effective maintenance models, and EnOS’ smart wind farm software, digital innovation is reshaping the industry. Even low-wind-speed models are benefiting from these advancements.
Gu Yanhui, deputy chief engineer at Beijing Tiancheng Tongchuang Electric Co., Ltd., emphasizes that smart energy solutions should go beyond just electricity value. Instead, they should integrate multiple energy needs at the user level, creating more holistic and sustainable systems.
Yuan Bo, product director at Vision Energy Smart Wind, notes that the push for digital and intelligent wind turbines is driven by the need to lower electricity costs. Through larger rotors, advanced towers, and laser radar, smart control systems can optimize operations, reduce maintenance costs, and speed up project timelines.
Looking ahead, artificial intelligence may play an even bigger role in wind energy. Whether through radar-equipped turbines or fully intelligent wind farms, the industry is moving toward greater automation and precision.
Jun Jun, vice president of Shanghai Electric Wind Power Group, believes that staying updated with breakthroughs in other fields is key to avoiding technical bottlenecks. The future of wind power lies in digital integration, where data-driven strategies will enable better prediction, management, and optimization across the entire energy system.
From a macro perspective, Wuhan Iron and Steel suggests that the energy internet must become more integrated, allowing for unified management of supply and demand through digital forecasting. At the micro level, full-scale digitization of the industry should begin with standardized data definitions and quality controls.
As industrialization and informatization continue to merge, Wu Gang highlights that wind power companies must evolve into "two-legged" enterprises. In the first stage, they should focus on digitizing core businesses. In the second phase, they should integrate services and digital systems. Finally, they should introduce AI and machine learning to achieve intelligent collaboration across the entire value chain.
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