Feasibility of a Simple Small Wind Turbine with Variable-Speed Regulation Made of Commercial Components

Andrés Bravo Cuesta, Francisco Javier Gomez-Gil, Juan Vicente Martín Fraile, Jesús Ausín Rodríguez, Justo Ruiz Calvo and Jesús Peláez Vara
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Andrés Bravo Cuesta: Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Burgos, Avda. Cantabria s/n, Burgos 09006, Spain
Francisco Javier Gomez-Gil: Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Burgos, Avda. Cantabria s/n, Burgos 09006, Spain
Juan Vicente Martín Fraile: Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Burgos, Avda. Cantabria s/n, Burgos 09006, Spain
Jesús Ausín Rodríguez: Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Burgos, Avda. Cantabria s/n, Burgos 09006, Spain
Justo Ruiz Calvo: Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Burgos, Avda. Cantabria s/n, Burgos 09006, Spain
Jesús Peláez Vara: Department of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Burgos, Avda. Cantabria s/n, Burgos 09006, Spain

Energies, 2013, vol. 6, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: The aim of this study was to propose and evaluate a very small wind turbine (VSWT) that competes with commercial grid-connected VSWTs in terms of simplicity, robustness and price. Its main components are a squirrel-cage induction generator (SCIG) driven by a frequency converter. The system has a direct-drive shaft, and may be constructed with commercial equipment. Simulation of the wind turbine effect is done with a motor. A control program regulates the variable-speed of rotation through three operational modes: (i) to drive the turbine to its optimum operation point; (ii) to limit its maximum rotational speed; and (iii) to limit the maximum power it generates. Two tests were performed, in order to evaluate the dynamic response of this system under variable wind speeds. The tests demonstrate that the system operates at the optimum operational point of the turbine, and within the set limits of maximum rotational speed and maximum generated power. The drop in performance in relation to its nominal value is about 75%, when operating at 50% of the nominal power. In summary, this VSWT with its proposed control program is feasible and reliable for operating direct-shaft grid-connected VSWTs.

Keywords: very small wind turbine; asynchronous generator; frequency converter (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: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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