Abstract
Linear generator utilization in a wave energy converter (WEC) is an attractive alternative to a rotary generator. This paper presents the design of a permanent magnet linear machine (PMLM) for WEC applications in low wave power areas. In this paper, the wave height and vertical speed of Malaysian water is used for the simulation and design. Two design variants are introduced which are tubular PMLM with no spacer (TPMLM-NS) and tubular PMLM with spacer (TPMLM-S). Finite element analysis (FEA) has been conducted to investigate the performance and to refine the main dimensions of the design in terms of split ratio, pitch ratio and tooth width. The FEA results are then validated using an analytical method which is established according to the design’s magnetic field distribution. Based on main dimension refinement, it can be deduced that both the split ratio and the pitch ratio have a significant influence on the airgap flux density and back EMF of the design. The obtained FEA results also reveal that the TPMLM-NS variant is capable of producing 240 V back EMF, 1 kW output power with satisfactory efficiency. Consequently, this indicates the capability of the design to convert wave energy with good performance. Additionally, good agreement between the analytical predictions and FEA results was obtained with a low percentage of error, thus providing concrete assurance of the accuracy of the design.
Highlights
Electricity generation from renewable energy (RE) resources is one of the alternatives to attain energy sustainability and security as the demand for electricity grows
The obtained finite element analysis (FEA) results reveal that the tubular permanent magnet linear machine (TPMLM)-NS variant is capable of producing 240 V back
The analytical in terms the shape can be observed, especially forat which displays an exact match between the analytical prediction and TPMLM with spacer (TPMLM-S), the waveforms show agreement ina prediction waveform has a slightly rounded tip while the waveform resulting from imitates match between the analytical prediction and FEA
Summary
Electricity generation from renewable energy (RE) resources is one of the alternatives to attain energy sustainability and security as the demand for electricity grows. To study the design of a linear generator to be used in a direct drive WEC system at low wave power areas such as Malaysia. It is noted that linear generator performance is related to the application parameters such as the operating speed and translation limit of the design It is very significant for this research to be conducted in proposing linear generator designs for WEC systems that consider the wave characteristics in low wave power areas. This paper presents the details on a proposed linear generator which is designed by considering the wave characteristics of wave energy in low wave power areas, Malaysia, to be used in direct drive point absorber WEC technology. The analysis in this paper consists of a finite element analysis (FEA) which is validated using analytical methods based on Maxwell’s equations and Fourier series analysis of the proposed design
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