Design a controls and charging system for the wind turbine system. The goal is to find the wind optimal control algorithms for both generators to sustain their prolonged use in producing power. A load is used with the control system to absorb power. We will need to create dynamic brakes that can handle braking at wind speeds between 0 - 17 m/s and above limits without failure.
Each group member was asked to research a topic related to our project. Below are our findings.
A selection of batteries are capable of storing power generated by the small wind turbine, which include Absorbed Glass Matt (AGM) deep cycle, lithium polymer, AGM lead acid and valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA). AGM lead acid was selected as the best battery for our application because it is very efficient at preventing spills, has high vibration resistance, long life cycles and is relatively inexpensive to purchase.
There have been recent advances in sensorless controls being used for the turbine’s output. A rotor flux observer is used to induce an EMF signal allowing appropriate modulation.
How a small wind electric system works is by converting kinetic energy in wind into clean electricity. A rotor captures the kinetic energy of the wind and converts it into rotary motion to drive a generator
Blades are attached to a rotor shaft that spins a series of gears that increases the rotation which produces more electricity
Power curves of the wind requires learning how to controll the turbine's output in relation to it. This requires varying the resistance of the load using a power MOSFET or automated potentiometer.
Utiziling an electrical brake is easy to implement for a micro wind turbine by using system control to pulse modulate the speed by short ciruting the three current phases.
First Phase (Midterm Client Status Report: September - October)
- Research components for the electronic controller of the Wind Turbine
Man hours: 6 hrs/week
Second Phase (Client Proposal: November - December)
- Researched components for purchase with an overall estimated budget
- Initial Generator tests
- Man hour: 10 hrs/week
Third Phase (Client Status Report: January - March)
- Constructed printed circuit boards (PCB)
- New testbench and power curve generations
- Man hour: 12 hrs/week
Fourth Phase (Final Report: April - May)
- Component testing at wind tunnel
- Final testing and revisions to wind turbine design
- Man hour: 15 hrs/week