Control and System Integration of a Small Vertical-Axis Wind Rotor Coupled a Generator Having Two Windings

Abstract

Increase in the efficiency of a small vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) elevates its potential that compares with a horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT). The efficiency does not only depend on the power coefficient of the wind rotor but also on the efficiency of the generator. A permanent magnet synchronous generator having two windings keeps high efficiency in both of low rotor speed regime and high rotor speed regime. To maximize the electricity output of the VAWT, this study directly coupled a generator having 1kW winding and 3kW winding with a straight wing vertical-axis wind rotor as a 4kW VAWT. Meanwhile, system integration and control systems of the wind power system were developed to make sure the operation and the safety of the VAWT. The average efficiency of the wind power system is 0.32 through field tests. The results demonstrated that the small VAWT has the same potential in comparison with two small HAWTs via using the electrical generator having two windings.