Modern day turbines used in wind farms for commercial production of electric power are complex structures that must withstand the significant stresses generated by blades turning at up to six times the speed of the wind.

The rotating blades couple to a gear box to step up the speed of the generator, which in turn provides electrical power. The more sophisticated models use variable speed turbines, making the most of the wind throughout the day or night. These turbines interface to solid-state power converters to tie into the grid.

Wireless monitoring systems continuously monitor critical equipment on single units or entire wind farms to reliably determine the "health" of the equipment. With operational needs demanding little to zero downtime, each turbine must operate at peak efficiency.

Using vibration sensors mounted on a turbine's main shaft bearings, drive train gearbox, and generator, these systems can provide the wind farm management (operators or maintenance engineers) with the critical data needed to schedule maintenance, thereby enabling optimum turbine operation and preventing potential machinery failure. Retrofit of existing turbines in service is also a key advantage for wireless sensor networking.