Cooling Techniques in Direct-Drive Generators for Wind Power Application

Petrica Taras, Reza Nilifard, Zi-Qiang Zhu () and Ziad Azar
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Petrica Taras: Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
Reza Nilifard: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S, P.O. Box 7330 Brande, Denmark
Zi-Qiang Zhu: Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
Ziad Azar: Sheffield Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Research Centre, Sheffield S3 7HQ, UK

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-29

Abstract: Direct-drive generators are an attractive candidate for wind power application since they do not need a gearbox, thus increasing operational reliability and reducing power losses. However, this is achieved at the cost of an increased generator size, larger inverter and decreased thermal performance. The associated cooling system is therefore crucial to keep the generator and inverter sizes down and to operate within the safe thermal limits. Various cooling techniques suitable for generators are therefore reviewed and analyzed in this paper. The performance and maintenance requirements are unavoidable compromises that need to be investigated together, especially for large generators. The location of the wind turbine is also important and dictates critical issues such as accessibility and maximum size. The key novelty in this paper is the assessment of the cooling methods based on generator size, reliability and maintenance requirements.

Keywords: cooling; direct drive; thermal analysis; wind power generation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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