Comparative Analysis of Two Wind Turbines with Planetary Speed Increaser in Steady-State

Abstract

Planetary transmissions used as speed amplifiers in wind/hydro conversion systems typically rely on the conventional concept of mechanism with one input and one output. This concept is found in the most of the high power wind turbines; however, the need to implement in the built environment smaller wind turbines with speed amplifiers led to new turbine concepts such as counter-rotating rotors and classical generator. The paper presents a comparative analysis of two wind turbines with one rotor and respectively two counter-rotating rotors, which contain identical electrical generators and the same type of mechanical amplifier used as a 1 DOF mechanism and differential one respectively. With the assumption of maintaining the same electrical generator running point for both wind turbines, the steady-state behaviour of the considered turbines is identified and a comparative kinematic and static performance analysis is performed, aiming at highlighting the impact on efficiency and on constructive design and development of the two turbines.