An apparatus and a method used to determine the speed and direction of the
wind experienced by a wind turbine are provided. The apparatus comprises
at least one sensor fixed to the rotor of the wind turbine, an angular
sensor to measure the angular position of the rotor of the wind turbine,
and a circuit which converts the relationship between the output of the
at least one sensor and the output of the angular sensor into the speed
and direction of the wind experienced by the wind turbine. According to
the invention, the sensing apparatus can measure the wind speed and
direction in three dimensions. In addition, mounting the sensors directly
to the rotor of the wind turbine results in a very simple and robust
installation. Mounting the sensors directly to the rotor also eliminates
the turbulence from the rotor and the nacelle of the wind turbine from
affecting the sensors.