Performance testing and design of small axial flux permanent magnet wind turbines for developing countries

Joost Sterenborg

Proposal number:01
Revision number:00
Proposal owner:Joost Sterenborg
Date:01/03/2011
Background:Describe the background situation that leads to this project proposal – why should we do this?When we have more detailed insight in the behavior and performance of the wind turbine, we can use this as a benchmark to see when we try to make design improvements. In order to compare and learn from turbine changes it is important to have not too many parameters changed at the same time. A wind tunnel can provide the possibility to re-simulate the same environmental conditions when you are measureing.Furthermore, the measurements can be used to build and validate a computer model. The computer model can be used to predict the change in turbine performance when making a design change.

 

We got the great opportunity to make use of the wind tunnel OJF from the areospace faculty at TU Delft.

Objective:The objective of this project is to identify the performance of a small axial flux wind turbine, based on the design by Hugh Piggott. Bottlenecks will be identified and listed. From these bottlenecks ideas for possible improvements will be created and applied in building a new wind turbine.
Description deliverable: Describe the product outcome of the project – what will be delivered, and in which format?Time series of the following channels of original and new design of turbine at windspeeds between 3-25 m/s:
Yaw angle – Rotational velocity – Vane position – Exerted Torque – Temperature – Wind speed – Airdensity, strain gauge in tower in fore-aft bending mode – Amperage and Voltage.Documented: the test setup, set of measurement conditions, new design, results and comparison of performance between designs.
Approach: Described the methodology to be used in the project – how are we going to achieve our targets?The first set of wind turbine tests will result in a powercurve for the potential aerodynamic performance for different types of loads on the turbine. From a second set of wind tunnel tests the real powercurve will result. In this test the complete generator system including the battery will be tested. From this test also the furling behaviour will be identified. These first wind tunnel tests will clarify the performance of the wind turbine and make bottlenecks visible. Next to the wind tunnel test also experience and feedback from the field is required, to make a plan for an improvement of the wind turbine. The new design will be tested in the wind tunnel again and compared to the current design.
Estimated capacity & competences needed:Master student with Aerospace background – 6 months full time
Daily supervisor that has wind tunnel test experience – Flexible availability
Contruction manufacturer to help incorporate measurement devices on turbine – Flexible availability
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