Direct Driven Generators for Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Abstract: Wind power is a renewable energy source that is increasingly used all over the world. Most wind turbines have a horizontal axis of rotation but a few have a vertical axis of rotation. The concept presented in this thesis is a straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbine with a direct driven cable-wound permanent magnet synchronous generator. A comparison of the two different types of wind turbines, vertical axis wind turbines and horizontal axis wind turbines, have been performed considering several different aspects. However, the main focus in this thesis is on the generator.Several generators have been modelled with a combined field and circuit model, which has been solved by using the finite element method. A 12 kW generator has been designed, which has a high overall efficiency and a high overload capability. The generator has been constructed at the department and was tested in the laboratory before being mounted in a vertical axis wind turbine. Results from experiments correspond well with results from simulations. The generator has been tested for different loading conditions and the harmonic content of the voltage has been analysed. A 12 kW vertical axis wind turbine was completed and tests have been performed. The results are encouraging and further studies on the prototype will be performed in the future.The simulation method has been used to study electromagnetic losses in several generators. The comparison showed that the average losses should be considered when a variable speed generator for wind power is designed and it concluded that the design optimization process becomes a compromise between lowering the electromagnetic losses and having high overload capability.When constructing a wind turbine, it is important to consider vibrations in the structure. Torsional vibrations in the drive shaft connecting the turbine to the rotor of the generator have been studied. It is shown that a direct driven generator is to prefer over an induction generator with a gearbox when torsional vibrations are concerned.This thesis is based on eight papers all concerning vertical axis wind turbines with three of them focusing on the generator.