Optimal design of a modular axial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous generator for gearless wind turbine applications

Air-cored axial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous generators (AFPMSGs) are potential candidates for gearless direct-coupled wind turbines (DCWTs) owing to providing high efficiency and power density. The design of a DCWT generator is so complicated since the generator cost, dimension, and weight affected by gear elimination. Therefore, it is essential to find an optimal AFPMSG design at rated conditions. In this paper, an accurate procedure for the optimal design of an air-cored AFPMSG applicable for DCWTs is proposed. The genetic algorithm (GA) is used for multi-objective design optimization to reach the optimal configuration as well as system dimension in order to decrease the weight, increase the power density and enhance the effectiveness of the generator. To validate the efficiency of the suggested optimization proceducer, a 30 kW AFPMSG has been considered as a case study. The results of optimization have been investigated by finite element analysis (FEA). A prototype generator is also fabricated, and the test results are offered and compared with the numerical study. The outcomes show that there exists an acceptable agreement between FEA and experimental outcomes with the error percentage about of 1.35%.     

Reduced models of doubly fed induction generator system for wind turbine simulations

This article compares three reduced models with a detailed model of a doubly fed induction generator system for wind turbine applications. The comparisons are based on simulations only. The main idea is to provide reduced generator models which are appropriate to simulate normal wind turbine operation in aeroelastic wind turbine models, e.g. for control system design or structural design of the wind turbine. The electrical behaviour such as grid influence will therefore not be considered. The work presented in this article shows that with an ideal, undisturbed grid the dynamics of the doubly fed induction generator system is very well represented by the dynamics due to the generator inertia and the generator control system, whereas the electromagnetic characteristics of the generator can be represented by the steady state relations. The parameters for the proposed models are derived from parameters typically available from the generator data sheet and from the controller settings. Thus the models are simple to apply in any case where the generator data sheet is available. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Integrating electrical and aerodynamic characteristics for DFIG wind energy extraction and control study

A doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbine depends on the control of the system at both generator and turbine levels, and the operation of the turbine is affected by the electrical characteristics of the generator and the aerodynamic characteristics of the turbine blades. This paper presents a DFIG energy extraction and control study by combining the two characteristics together in one integrative environment to examine various factors that are critical for an optimal DFIG system design. The generator characteristics are examined for different d‐q control conditions, and the extracted power characteristics of the turbine blades versus generator slip are presented. Then, the two characteristics are analyzed in a joint environment. An integrative study is conducted to examine a variety of parametric data simultaneously for DFIG maximum wind power extraction evaluation. A close‐loop transient simulation using SimPowerSystem is developed to validate the effectiveness of steady‐state results and to further investigate the wind energy extraction and speed control in a feedback control environment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization of Multibrid Permanent-Magnet Wind Generator Systems

This paper investigates the cost-effective ranges of gearbox ratios and power ratings of multibrid permanent-magnet (PM) wind generator systems by using a design optimization method. First, the analytical model of a multibrid wind turbine concept consisting of a single-stage gearbox and a three-phase radial-flux PM synchronous generator with a back-to-back power converter is presented. The design optimization is adopted with a genetic algorithm for minimizing generator system cost. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed electromagnetic design model, the optimization results of a 500-kW direct-drive PM generator and a 1.5-MW multibrid PM generator with various gear ratios are, respectively, compared with those from other methods. Then, the optimal design approach is further employed for a range from 750 kW up to 10 MW. The optimization results of PM generator systems including direct-drive and multibrid wind turbine configurations are obtained, and the suitable ranges of gear ratios for different power ratings are investigated. Finally, the detailed comparisons of the most cost-effective multibrid PM generator system and the optimized direct-drive PM generator system are also presented and discussed. The comparative results have shown that the multibrid wind turbine concept appears more cost-effective than the direct-drive concept.      

小型风力发电机组优化控制策略与实验研究

提出一种小型风力发电机组功率的优化控制策略.根据选定的300 W/24 V永磁发电机,使用Wilson叶片设计计算模型,应用MATLAB语言设计了300 W风机叶片;并针对现有风机控制系统中将控制器的设计与叶片、电机的匹配特性彼此孤立、分离的现象,设计出与风力发电机的电机、叶片相互匹配的控制器.在风洞试验中测试了样机在8、10 、12 、15 m/s等风速一定条件下,功率随系统电压的变化规律,当降低系统电压时,风机输出功率会一直下降,在此过程中并没有出现功率增加的现象,也就充分证明了工作在峰前区域的风力发电机,当风速大于额定风速时,控制系统可以通过减小接入系统的负载电阻值来控制其功率.这对研究小型风力发电系统的可控性、可靠性和耐久性有一定的指导意义和实用价值.     

Design optimization and site matching of direct-drive permanent magnet wind power generator systems

This paper investigates the possible site matching of the direct-drive wind turbine concepts based on the electromagnetic design optimization of permanent magnet (PM) generator systems. Firstly, the analytical models of a three-phase radial-flux PM generator with a back-to-back power converter are presented. The optimum design models of direct-drive PM wind generation system are developed with an improved genetic algorithm, and a 500-kW direct-drive PM generator for the minimal generator active material cost is compared to demonstrate the effectiveness of the design optimization. Forty-five PM generator systems, the combinations of five rated rotor speeds in the range of 10–30 rpm and nine power ratings from 100 kW to 10 MW, are optimally designed, respectively. The optimum results are compared graphically in terms of the generator design indexes. Next, according to the design principle of the maximum wind energy capture, the rotor diameter and the rated wind speed of a direct-drive wind turbine with the optimum PM generator are determined. The annual energy output (AEO) is also presented using the Weibull density function. Finally, the maximum AEO per cost (AEOPC) of the optimized wind generator systems is evaluated at eight potential sites with annual mean wind speeds in the range of 3–10 m/s, respectively. These results have shown the suitable designs for the optimum site matching of the investigated PM generator systems.     

An inverter design for a new permanent magnet synchronous generator

Design and simulation of a new inverter scheme are reported in the paper. The inverter is especially developed for an axial flux permanent synchronous generator (AFPMSG), which can be used for low power wind energy systems. The system includes a battery charge unit in addition to the inverter. Initially, the permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) model has been created for MATLAB/Simulink environment. Since frequency and amplitude of the waveforms generated by the PMSG strictly depend on the rotation speed, several tests have been performed under different wind speed regimes. Then, an appropriate inverter model has been designed and connected to the output of the PMSG in order to convert the generated voltage from AC to DC. Thereby, stabilizing voltage and frequency has been assured and the charge of the battery unit has been realized for efficient energy storage. The simulations show that the system designed has lower THD on the current signal according to the similar ones presented in recent literature. Furthermore, the THD value has been much improved (i.e. 0.72%) thanks to the design of an additional filter unit. The proposed system can be implemented to low power wind energy systems.     

小型Savonius风机的创新设计与仿真分析

Savonius风机是一种典型的垂直轴风力机。针对传统风机的发电机部分采用转子、定子一动一静的设计布局,提出了一种新型的发电机结构,从而提高风机发电效率。通过有限元分析软件ANSYS／CFX,对风力机模型进行流体分析,计算Savonius风力机的效率,验证本设计分析方法的正确性。     

Low power wind energy conversion system based on variable speed permanent magnet synchronous generators

This paper presents a low power wind energy conversion system (WECS) based on a permanent magnet synchronous generator and a high power factor (PF) rectifier. To achieve a high PF at the generator side, a power processing scheme based on a diode rectifier and a boost DC–DC converter working in discontinuous conduction mode is proposed. The proposed generator control structure is based on three cascaded control loops that regulate the generator current, the turbine speed and the amount of power that is extracted from the wind, respectively, following the turbine aerodynamics and the actual wind speed. The analysis and design of both the current and the speed loops have been carried out taking into consideration the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the WECS, as well as the turbine aerodynamics. The power loop is not a linear one, but a maximum power point tracking algorithm, based on the Perturb and Observe technique, from which is obtained the reference signal for the speed loop. Finally, to avoid the need of mechanical sensors, a linear Kalman Filter has been chosen to estimate the generator speed. Simulation and experimental results on a 2‐kW prototype are shown to validate the concept. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design of a wind turbine pitch angle controller for power system stabilisation

The design of a PID pitch angle controller for a fixed speed active-stall wind turbine, using the root locus method is described in this paper. The purpose of this controller is to enable an active-stall wind turbine to perform power system stabilisation. For the purpose of controller design, the transfer function of the wind turbine is derived from the wind turbine's step response. The performance of this controller is tested by simulation, where the wind turbine model with its pitch angle controller is connected to a power system model. The power system model employed here is a realistic model of the North European power system. A short circuit fault on a busbar close to the wind turbine generator is simulated, and the dynamic responses of the system with and without the power system stabilisation of the wind turbines are presented. Simulations show that in most operating points the pitch controller can effectively contribute to power system stabilisation.     

Wind turbine generator systems. The supply chain in China: Status and problems

Wind turbine generator systems (WTGS) manufacture is booming in China. The key to success of the wind turbine generator industry is to construct the supply chain. However few papers focus on the supply chain. In China, many enterprises have started to manufacture the wind turbine generator system and the components. The supply chain of the wind turbine generator system is not well established in China. Many key components of WTGS still need to be imported, such as the principal axis bearing and electrical control systems. We review the status of wind turbine generator system manufacturing and analyze the problems of the supply chain in China. We analyze the problems about the supply chain from a macroscopic view. The aims of this paper are to let more scholars and experts know the status of the WTGS supply chain and to do something for building a successful industry in China.     

An axial-flux permanent-magnet generator for a gearless wind energysystem

The paper discuses the development of an axial-flux permanent-magnet generator for a gearless wind energy system which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating wind and photovoltaic energy converters for the generation of electricity and to achieve optimum exploitation of the two energy sources. The merits of an axial-flux generator topology are discussed with reference to the particular requirements of an electrical generator for a direct-coupled wind turbine application. The design, construction and test results of a 5 kW, 200 rev/min permanent-magnet generator, to form a 10 kW pilot power plant with a 5 kW photovoltaic array, are presented     

Optimal blade pitch control with realistic preview wind measurements

In above‐rated wind speeds, the goal of a wind turbine blade pitch controller is to regulate rotor speed while minimizing structural loads and pitch actuation. This controller is typically feedback only, relying on a generator speed measurement, and sometimes strain gages and accelerometers. A preview measurement of the incoming wind speed (from a turbine‐mounted lidar, for example) allows the addition of feedforward control, which enables improved performance compared with feedback‐only control. The performance improvement depends both on the amount of preview time available in the wind speed measurement and the coherence between the wind measurement and the wind that is actually experienced by the turbine. We show how to design a collective‐pitch optimal controller that takes both of these factors into account. Simulation results show significant improvement compared with baseline controllers and are well correlated with linear model‐based results. Linear model‐based results show the benefit of preview measurements for various preview times and measurement coherences. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An investigation of variable power collective pitch control for load mitigation of floating offshore wind turbines

This paper investigates the loads on offshore floating wind turbines and a new control method that can be used to reduce these loads. In this variable power collective pitch control method, the rated generator speed, which is the set point that the collective pitch control attempts to drive the actual generator speed towards, is no longer a constant value but instead is a variable that depends on the platform pitch velocity. At a basic physical level, this controller achieves the following: as the rotor of a floating turbine pitches upwind, the controller adjusts so as to extract more energy from the wind by increasing the rated generator speed and thus damps the motion; as the rotor pitches downwind, less energy is extracted because the controller reduces the rated generator speed and again damps the motion. This method is applied to the NREL 5 MW wind turbine model, in above rated conditions where the platform motion is most problematic. The results indicate significant load reductions on key structural components, at the expense of minor increases in power and speed variability. The loads on the blades and tower are investigated more generally, and simple dynamic models are used to gain insight into the behavior of floating wind turbine systems. It is clear that for this particular design, aerodynamic methods for reducing platform motion and tower loads are likely inadequate to allow for a viable design, so new designs or possibly new control degrees of freedom are needed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

独立运行风电机组的最佳叶尖速比控制

介绍了采用爪极无刷自励发电机的５ｋＷ风电机组的性能特点。采用最佳叶尖速比控制和稳压控制相结合的控制方法，使风力机在额定风速以下及蓄电池没有充满时按最佳效率运行。当蓄电池接近充满时，控制风电系统稳压运行，保证蓄电池安全可靠充电。该风电机组及其控制已实际应用。     

An engineering condition indicator for condition monitoring of wind turbine bearings

Condition monitoring (CM) of wind turbine becomes significantly important part of wind farms in order to cut down operation and maintenance costs. The large amount of CM system vibration data collected from wind turbines are posing challenges to operators in signal processing. It is crucial to design sensitive and reliable condition indicator (CI) in wind turbine CM system. Bearing plays an important role in wind turbine because of its high impact on downtime and component replacement. CIs for wind turbine bearing monitoring are reviewed in the paper, and the advantages and disadvantages of these indicators are discussed in detail. A new engineering CI (ECI), which combined the energy and kurtosis representation of the vibration signal, is proposed to meet the requirement of easy applicability and early detection in wind turbine bearing monitoring. The quantitative threshold setting method of the ECI is provided for wind turbine CM practice. The bearing run‐to‐failure experiment data analysis demonstrates that ECI can evaluate the overall condition and is sensitive to incipient fault of bearing. The effectiveness in engineering of ECI is validated though a certain amount of real‐world wind turbine generator and gearbox bearing vibration data.     

基于风电机故障的电力系统运营风险评估及保险转移的研究

风电机故障导致的系统电力缺额会给系统运营带来经济损失,目前由系统运营部门承担。为实现风险转移,建立了风电场风电机故障概率出力模型,并考虑了风电场风电机故障下电力系统运营的风险,通过对风电机故障条件下电力系统的蒙特卡罗抽样仿真,计算了不同负荷条件下电力系统运营调度的经济风险,并制定相应的保险转移机制。为全面评估风电的经济价值和风电场的规划设计提供了参考,并为风电场风电机故障风险转移提供了一种可供选择的方法。     

Optimisation of design and operation of generators for offshore vertical axis wind turbines

A process for optimizing both the design and operation of the generator for a large offshore vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is developed. The objectives of the optimization process are to minimize additional costs and losses in the generator to allow for a fair evaluation of the impact of the VAWT environment on the powertrain. A spectrum of torque control strategies was tested based on the ratio, q, of the allowed electrical torque variation to the inherent mechanical torque variation. Equations relating q to the generator losses were established. The effect of q on the energy extracted by the rotor was also investigated and incorporated into the optimization process. This work shows that a variable q strategy with respect to wind speed can improve turbine performance across the range of operational wind speeds depending on the torque loading from the rotor blades. In turn, this also allows for the torque rating of the generator to be reduced from the peak torque rating that would otherwise be expected, creating an opportunity to downscale the generator size, reducing costs. The optimization of powertrain design and operation should be carried out at as high level as is possible, ideally using the fully factored cost of energy (COE) to guard against unexpected losses because of excessive focus in one COE factor (for example reducing upfront cost but in turn reducing availability).     

An investigation of variable power collective pitch control for load mitigation of floating offshore wind turbines

This paper investigates the loads on offshore floating wind turbines and a new control method that can be used to reduce these loads. In this variable power collective pitch control method, the rated generator speed, which is the set point that the collective pitch control attempts to drive the actual generator speed towards, is no longer a constant value but instead a variable that depends on the platform pitch velocity. At a basic physical level, this controller achieves the following: as the rotor of a floating turbine pitches upwind, the controller adjusts so as to extract more energy from the wind by increasing the rated generator speed and thus damps the motion; as the rotor pitches downwind, less energy is extracted because the controller reduces the rated generator speed and again damps the motion. This method is applied to the NREL 5 MW wind turbine model, in above‐rated conditions where the platform motion is most problematic. The results indicate significant load reductions on key structural components, at the expense of minor increases in power and speed variability. The loads on the blades and tower are investigated more generally, and simple dynamic models are used to gain insight into the behavior of floating wind turbine systems. It is clear that for this particular design, aerodynamic methods for reducing platform motion and tower loads are likely inadequate to allow for a viable design, and so new designs or possibly new control degrees of freedom are needed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

20kW风力与40／12kW柴油发电机组并联运行系统风轮玻璃钢叶片研制

简要论述了风力与柴油发电机组并联系系统中２０ｋＷ风力发电机浆叶的气动设计、结构和强度计算、桨根连接及材料选择，并介绍了它的制造工艺。