Abstract
At Uppsala University, a research group is investigating a system for converting the power in freely flowing water using a vertical-axis turbine directly connected to a permanent magnet generator. An experimental setup comprising a turbine, a generator, and a control system has been constructed and will be deployed in the Dalälven river in the town of Söderfors in Sweden. The design, construction, simulations, and laboratory tests of the control system are presented in this paper. The control system includes a startup sequence for the turbine and load control. These functions have performed satisfactorily in laboratory tests. Simulations of the system show that the power output is not maximized at the same tip-speed ratio as that which maximizes the turbine power capture.
Highlights
Unregulated rivers, tides, and other ocean currents comprise a renewable energy resource that may contribute to mankind’s energy use
At Uppsala University, a research group is investigating a system for converting the power in freely flowing water using a verticalaxis turbine directly connected to a permanent magnet generator
At Uppsala University, a research group is investigating a system for converting the power in freely flowing water using a vertical axis turbine directly connected to a permanent magnet generator [1,2,3,4]
Summary
Unregulated rivers, tides, and other ocean currents comprise a renewable energy resource that may contribute to mankind’s energy use. At Uppsala University, a research group is investigating a system for converting the power in freely flowing (undammed) water using a vertical axis turbine directly connected to a permanent magnet generator [1,2,3,4]. The generator can be placed outside of the flow through the turbine, and a turbine with a vertical axis can utilize water currents from any direction in the horizontal plane. Challenges pertained to this concept involve the low rotational speed of the generator, and as in all other hydrokinetic energy projects, creating systems that can function well enough in the aquatic environment they are subjected to, withstanding forces, corrosion, biofouling, and floating debris. This paper describes the control system implemented at the test-site and some simulations of the system
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