Wind generator drivetrain performance and comparison of PM flux switching machines

Abstract

This study is undertaken to highlight the competitive optimal performance of permanent magnet flux switching machines (PM–FSMs) in different wind generator drivetrains––low–speed (LS), medium–speed (MS) and high–speed (HS). The three–phase 12–stator slots/10–rotor teeth PM–FSM is selected for the study, for small–scale power applications. The design and optimisation is performed using a 2–D finite element analyses (FEA) tool. Thereafter, important features of the different wind generator drivetrains are evaluated and compared, especially in terms of cost of energy (CoE) versus performance. In the end, the study barely stops short of representing the MS as the best among the three drivetrains; however, it is clearly a preferred solution due to trade– offs in torque density and cost of generator.