The design and operation of wind power plants are increasingly impacted by the profound transformation and digitalization of electric power systems (and increasingly so by energy systems). Initially the impacts were mostly about the electrical parts of the wind turbines/plants, under the grid code requirements. However, with the de-carbonization of power and energy systems, the impacts are becoming stronger and have expanded into mechanical parts of the plant and wind turbine. For example, the grid-forming operation of wind turbines will most likely have an impact on the drivetrains.

Today, the development and optimization of operations affect both mechanical and electrical parts of wind turbine and plants, including in the operation and control of power systems but most often in isolation. However, the electro-mechanical interactions and dependencies are becoming stronger and stronger, demanding truly holistic and multi-disciplinary approaches for both existing and new grid-forming wind turbines.

This special issue comprises new contributions in wind-energy-related areas of engineering, environmental science, economic analysis, and policy impacts. The primary readers includes those in academia, research institutions, and industrial sectors, as well as policymakers.

This special issue aims at discussing challenges and technical solutions for addressing them. It will publish original contributions on topics such as (but not limited to)

• the impact of advanced operations, e.g. grid forming, on mechanical parts of wind turbines;
• the impact of grid code requirements on electro-mechanical interactions in wind turbines;
• the integrated modelling and simulation of wind turbines and plants for assessing interactions between mechanical and electrical components;
• control solutions for minimizing the electro-mechanical interactions;
• condition monitoring and fault detection of electro-mechanical systems;
• new design and innovative technologies.

Review process: all papers of this special issue underwent the regular interactive peer-review process of Wind Energy Science handled by members of the editorial board as well as guest editors designated by the WES chief editors.