IBM has said that energy system supplier Alstom and energy technology research and development organization Ikerlan-IK4 are using its software to develop wind turbine control systems.

The new wind turbines leverage a sophisticated system of electronic sensors combined with IBM software to gather input regarding wind direction, speed, temperature and other factors to optimize performance and increase efficiency.

A central control system collects and analyzes data from each turbine to remotely control individual turbine subsystems, perform diagnostics and manage wind farm power generation.

Alstom and Ikerlan-IK4 are using IBM software to help develop and automate the ‘system of systems’ that controls the turbines and their interconnected communications systems, IBM said.

Alstom Wind vice president Alfonso Faubel said that leveraging IBM software helps Alstom apply an automated process to the design and development of its control systems.

Alstom and Ikerlan-IK4 are also using the Gears Software Product Line Lifecycle Framework from IBM business Partner, BigLever Software, to customize their designs to accommodate the varying climates and geographies where the wind turbines will operate.