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

• Main Authors: Jesús Peláez Vara, Justo Ruiz Calvo, Jesús Ausín Rodríguez, Juan Vicente Martín Fraile, Francisco Javier Gomez-Gil, Andrés Bravo Cuesta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2013-07-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: very small wind turbine; asynchronous generator; frequency converter
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/6/7/3373

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.