ItemArticle

Explainable artificial intelligence framework for wind turbine fault detection using random forest Extreme gradient boosting hybrid model

Title
Explainable artificial intelligence framework for wind turbine fault detection using random forest Extreme gradient boosting hybrid model
Creator
Rengasamy, Priyadharshini; R, Rajesh
Description
Though wind energy has great promise for clean energy generation in India, operational inefficiencies and underutilization still present major obstacles. Although installed wind capacity exceeds 51. 3 GW, actual power generation is still significantly lower than predicted mostly because of weak fault detection and maintenance techniques. Existing machine learning (ML) methods offer high accuracy but typically lack transparency in their forecasts, therefore making it difficult for engineers to correctly interpret and act on model outputs. This research aims to develop an understandable and high-performance anomaly detection model using real-time SCADA data from an Indian wind plant. This research aims to develop an understandable and high-performance anomaly detection model using real-time SCADA data from an Indian wind plant. A hybrid ensemble approach integrating Random Forest and XGBoost is proposed, combined with Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) to provide local interpretability of predictions. The model was trained and evaluated on actual SCADA data using SelectKBest for feature selection, SMOTE for handling class imbalance, and RandomizedSearchCV for hyperparameter optimization. The tuned hybrid model achieved outstanding performance, with an accuracy of 0.9995, F1-score of 0.9995, and minimal error rates (MAE and MSE = 0.00052). LIME-based interpretability highlighted key features driving predictions, with Nacelle Temperature and Gearbox Temperature consistently emerging as critical indicators of turbine braking events, underscoring the importance of thermal variables in fault diagnosis. The findings suggest that interpretable machine learning not only enhances root cause analysis but also supports proactive maintenance, particularly by emphasizing improvements to cooling systems to reduce thermal failures. By providing transparent and reliable insights, the proposed solution enables wind farm operators to make informed, timely decisions, thereby improving turbine reliability and energy yield. The framework is practical, explainable, and well-suited for deployment in smart wind farms, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) 2025 The Author(s)
Source
Results in Engineering;Volume;28;Issue;;Article No.;107446;
Date
01-01-2025
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Subject
Anomaly detection; Explainable AI(XAI); LIME (local interpretable model-agnostic explanations); Machine learning; Predictive maintenance; Random forest; SCADA data; SDG 12; SDG 7; SDG 9; SMOTE; Sustainable energy; Wind turbine generator
Coverage
Rengasamy P., Department of Statistics and Data Science, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Dharmaram Post, Karnataka, Bangalore, 560029, India; R R., Department of Statistics and Data Science, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Dharmaram Post, Karnataka, Bangalore, 560029, India
Rights
All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Relation
ISSN: 25901230;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Rengasamy, Priyadharshini; R, Rajesh, “Explainable artificial intelligence framework for wind turbine fault detection using random forest Extreme gradient boosting hybrid model,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22442.

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