Enhanced Detection of Demagnetization in Direct-Drive Wind Turbine Generators Using eMIST and Machine Learning

The rapid growth of offshore wind energy needs robust condition monitoring to ensure the reliability and efficiency of direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs). Demagnetization, a critical fault in these generators, can severely impact performance and increase operational costs, especially in harsh marine environments. Traditional diagnostic techniques often struggle to detect subtle magnetic property changes under varying load conditions. This paper presents an innovative framework for demagnetization detection in PMSGs, leveraging the Electrical Multi-phase Imbalance Separation Technique (eMIST) combined with machine learning models. Using a dataset from offshore wind turbines, including simulated faulty conditions, the proposed methodology enhances anomaly detection by isolating imbalance signatures and correlating them with key operational parameters. Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) is employed to predict anomalies, offering high accuracy and confidence in fault classification. Results demonstrate the approach's ability to identify early-stage demagnetization, enabling predictive maintenance, reducing downtime, and improving the economic viability of offshore wind farms.