EXPERIMENT1

WIND TURBINE
1.1 OBJECTIVES
After the experiment, the students are expected:
To understand the relationship between the generator's output voltage and
rotation speed
To determine the relationship between frequency and speed
To understand how a rectifier influences the generator voltage's signal
characteristic
To examine operation in the storage mode at various loads and wind speeds.
1.2 BASIC THEORY
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind, also
called wind energy, into mechanical energy, a process known as wind power. If
the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a
wind turbine or wind power plant. If the mechanical energy is used to drive
machinery, such as for grinding grain or pumping water, the device is called a
windmill or wind pump. Similarly, it may be referred to as a wind charger when
used for charging batteries.
The result of over a millennium of windmill development and modern
engineering, today's wind turbines are manufactured in a wide range of vertical
and horizontal axis types. The smallest turbines are used for applications such as
battery charging or auxiliary power on boats; while large grid-connected arrays
of turbines are becoming an increasingly important source of wind powerproduced commercial electricity.
Theoretical power captured by a wind turbine
Total wind power could be captured only if the wind velocity is reduced to
zero. In a realistic wind turbine this is impossible, as the captured air must also
leave the turbine. A relation between the input and output wind velocity must be
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considered. Using the concept of stream tube, the maximal achievable extraction
of wind power by a wind turbine is 59% of the total theoretical wind power.
Practical wind turbine power
Further inefficiencies, such as rotor blade friction and drag, gearbox losses,
generator and converter losses, reduce the power delivered by a wind turbine.
The basic relation that the turbine power is (approximately) proportional to the
third power of velocity remains.
Types
Wind turbines can rotate about either a horizontal or a vertical axis, the
former being both older and more common.
Horizontal axis
Components of a horizontal axis wind turbine (gearbox, rotor shaft and
brake assembly) being lifted into position A turbine blade convoy passing
through Eden field, UK
Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT) have the main rotor shaft and
electrical generator at the top of a tower, and must be pointed into the wind.
Small turbines are pointed by a simple wind vane, while large turbines generally
use a wind sensor coupled with a servo motor. Most have a gearbox, which turns
the slow rotation of the blades into a quicker rotation that is more suitable to
drive an electrical generator.
Since a tower produces turbulence behind it, the turbine is usually
positioned upwind of its supporting tower. Turbine blades are made stiff to
prevent the blades from being pushed into the tower by high winds. Additionally,
the blades are placed a considerable distance in front of the tower and are
sometimes tilted forward into the wind a small amount.
Downwind machines have been built, despite the problem of turbulence
(mast wake), because they don't need an additional mechanism for keeping them
in line with the wind, and because in high winds the blades can be allowed to
bend which reduces their swept area and thus their wind resistance. Since

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cyclical (that is repetitive) turbulence may lead to fatigue failures, most HAWTs
are of upwind design.
Turbines used in wind farms for commercial production of electric power
are usually three-bladed and pointed into the wind by computer-controlled
motors. These have high tip speeds of over 320 km/h (200 mph), high efficiency,
and low torque ripple, which contribute to good reliability. The blades are
usually colored white for daytime visibility by aircraft and range in length from
20 to 40 meters (66 to 130 ft) or more. The tubular steel towers range from 60 to
90 meters (200 to 300 ft) tall. The blades rotate at 10 to 22 revolutions per
minute. At 22 rotations per minute the tip speed exceeds 90 meter per second
(300 ft/s). A gear box is commonly used for stepping up the speed of the
generator, although designs may also use direct drive of an annular generator.
Some models operate at constant speed, but more energy can be collected by
variable-speed turbines which use a solid-state power converter to interface to
the transmission system. All turbines are equipped with protective features to
avoid damage at high wind speeds, by feathering the blades into the wind which
ceases their rotation, supplemented by brakes.
Vertical axis design
Vertical-axis wind turbines (or VAWTs) have the main rotor shaft arranged
vertically. Key advantages of this arrangement are that the turbine does not need
to be pointed into the wind to be effective. This is an advantage on sites where
the wind direction is highly variable, for example when integrated into buildings.
The key disadvantages include the low rotational speed with the consequential
higher torque and hence higher cost of the drive train, the inherently lower
power coefficient, the 360 degree rotation of the aerofoil within the wind flow
during each cycle and hence the highly dynamic loading on the blade, the
pulsating torque generated by some rotor designs on the drive train, and the
difficulty of modeling the wind flow accurately and hence the challenges of
analyzing and designing the rotor prior to fabricating a prototype.

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With a vertical axis, the generator and gearbox can be placed near the
ground, using a direct drive from the rotor assembly to the ground-based
gearbox, hence improving accessibility for maintenance.
When a turbine is mounted on a rooftop, the building generally redirects
wind over the roof and this cans double the wind speed at the turbine. If the
height of the rooftop mounted turbine tower is approximately 50% of the
building height, this is near the optimum for maximum wind energy and
minimum wind turbulence. It should be borne in mind that wind speeds within
the built environment are generally much lower than at exposed rural sites, noise
may be a concern and an existing structure may not adequately resist the
additional stress.
Another type of vertical axis is the Parallel turbine similar to the cross flow
fan or centrifugal fan it uses the ground effect. Vertical axis turbines of this type
have been tried for many years: a large unit producing up to 10 kW was built by
Israeli wind pioneer Bruce Brill in 1980s the device is mentioned in Dr. Moshe
Dan Hirsch's 1990 report, which decided the Israeli energy department
investments and support in the next 20 years.[citation needed] The Magenn Wind
Kite blimp uses this configuration as well, chosen because of the ease of
running.
Component of small wind turbine
Small wind turbine systems can be broken down into the following
functional units:
Rotor with rotor blade
Wind vane
Generator (permanently-excited synchronous generator)
Rectifier
Slip-rings for the transfer of energy
Charge regulator or controller
Rechargeable storage battery

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 Inverter for operating appliances using mains voltage

The following block circuit diagram features an overview of the operational
components of a small wind turbine.

Figure 1

Wind Turbine

Block circuit diagram features an overview of a small wind

turbine.

1-5

1.3 EQUIPMENT
1. Servo machine test (system) stand (300W)

1 each

2. Synchronous generator (12V) for small wind turbines

1 each

3. Charge controller for small wind turbines

1 each

4. Lamp board (12V)

1 each

5. Lamp board (230V)

1 each

6. Load unit

1 each

7. Stand-alone inverter (230V, 275VA)

1 each

8. Coupling sleeve (300W)

1 each

9. Coupling guard (300W)

1 each

10. Analog/digital multimeter, power and power-factor meter

1 each

11. Set of safety measuring leads (4mm)

1 each

12. Set of safety bridging plugs (4mm)

13. Safety plug connector (19/4mm) with tap

20 items
5 items

1.4 WIRING DIAGRAM

Figure 2. Determining the no-load characteristic of the generator ;

Frequency and voltage of the generator

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Figure 3. Voltage and frequency after rectification

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Figure 4. Operation of the inverter under various loads

1.5 PROCEDURE
1.5.1 Determining the no-load characteristic of the generator
1) Checking all equipment before start.
2) Assembling the circuit as shown in the setup and wiring diagram
below.
3) Turning on the power switch of the control unit and the analogdigital multimeter.
4) Setting the various torque or rotation speeds by turning the rotary
knob manually.
5) Selecting voltage button (U) in the measurement variable selector
switch of the analog-digital multimeter.
6) Measuring the output voltage UUW at speeds of 100 rpm to 1000 rpm.
Selecting the n-const modus on the servo machine test system.
7) Turning of the power switch after finish.
1.5.2 Frequency and voltage of the generator
1) Checking all equipment before start.
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2) Assembling the circuit as shown in the setup and wiring diagram

below.
3) Turning on the power switch of the control unit and the analogdigital multimeter.
4) Setting the various torque or rotation speeds by turning the rotary
knob manually.
5) Recording the signal characteristic of the output voltage UUW at
speeds of 400 rpm, 700 rpm and 1000 rpm by using the oscilloscope
(multimeter CO5127-1Z).
6) Turning of the power switch after finish.

1.5.3 Voltage and frequency after rectification

1) Checking all equipment before start.
2) Assembling the circuit as shown in the setup and wiring diagram
below.
3) Turning on the power switch of the control unit and the analogdigital multimeter.
4) Setting the various torque or rotation speeds by turning the rotary
knob manually.
5) Recording the signal characteristic of the output voltage UUW at
speeds of 400 rpm by using the oscilloscope (multimeter CO51271Z).
6) Turning of the power switch after finish.
1.5.4 Operation of the inverter under various loads
1) Checking all equipment before start.
2) Assembling the circuit as shown in the setup and wiring diagram
below.

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3) Turning on the power switch of the control unit and the analogdigital multimeter.
4) Setting the various torque or rotation speeds by turning the rotary
knob manually.
5) Recording the signal characteristic of the output voltage UUW at
speeds of 400 rpm, 700 rpm and 1000 rpm by using the oscilloscope
(multimeter CO5127-1Z).
6) Turning of the power switch after finish.

1.6 RESULTS
1.6.1 Determining the no-load characteristic of the generator
Table 1.1 Experiments result of the no-load characteristic of the generator
n
[rpm]
UUW
[V]

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1.8

3.5

5.3

7.1

8.8

10.6

12.7

14.2

15.8

17.3

1.6.2 Frequency and voltage of the generator

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Figure 5.

Signal characteristic of the output voltage U UW at speed 300 rpm

(volt/div = 10 volt ; time/div = 20 ms)

Figure 6.

Signal characteristic of the output voltage U UW at speed 700 rpm

(volt/div = 10 volt ; time/div = 20 ms)

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Figure 7.

Signal characteristic of the output voltage U UW at speed 1000 rpm

(volt/div = 10 volt ; time/div = 20 ms)

1.6.3 Frequency and voltage after rectification

Figure 8.

Wind Turbine

Signal characteristic of the output voltage U UW at speed 300 rpm

after rectification (volt/div = 10 volt ; time/div = 20 ms)

1-12

Figure 9.

Signal characteristic of the output voltage U UW at speed 700 rpm

after rectification (volt/div = 10 volt ; time/div = 20 ms)

Figure 10. Signal characteristic of the output voltage U UW at speed 1000 rpm
after rectification (volt/div = 10 volt ; time/div = 5 ms)

1.6.4 Operation of the inverter under various loads

Table 1.2 Inverters output voltage, current, and power at various loads

Wind Turbine

Lamp

Voltage
[V]

Current
[A]

Power
[W]

Incandescent

226.7

0.11

25.1

Energy-saving

227.4

0.03

4.2

LED

226.3

0.03

3.7

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Figure 1.8 Signal characteristic of the inverters output voltage and current
(load = incandescent lamp ; volt/div = 100 volt ; ampere/div = 300
mA ; time/div = 5 ms)

Figure 1.9 Signal characteristic of the inverters output voltage and current
(load = energy-saving lamp ; volt/div = 200 volt ; ampere/div =
300 mA ; time/div = 5 ms)

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Figure 1.10 Signal characteristic of the inverters output voltage and current
(load = LED lamp ; volt/div = 200 volt ; ampere/div = 300 mA ;
time/div = 5 ms)

1.7 ANALYSIS
1.6.1 Determining the no-load characteristic of the generator

Chart 1.1Relationship between various speed and output voltage of the

generator

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1.6.2 Frequency and voltage of the generator

1) The generators output at 400 rpm

Peak Voltage Vp 10 V/div 1 10 V

Effective Voltage Veff Vp

2 10

2 7.07 V

Periode T 20 ms/div 2.6 52 ms 52 10 -3 s

Frequency f

1
1
1000

19.23 Hz
-3
T 52 10 s
52

2) The generators output at 700 rpm

Peak Voltage Vp 10 V/div 1.8 18 V

Effective Voltage Veff Vp

2 18

2 12.73 V

Periode T 5 ms/div 5.4 27 ms 27 10 -3 s

Frequency f

1
1
1000

37.03 Hz
-3
T 27 10 s
27

3) The generators output at 1000 rpm

Peak Voltage Vp 10 V/div 2.45 24.5 V

Effective Voltage Veff Vp

2 24.5

2 17.32 V

Periode T 5 ms/div 4 20 ms 20 10 -3 s
Frequency f

1
1
1000

50.00 Hz
-3
T 20 10 s
20

The number of pole pairs on the generator

P

60 f 60 50

3
n
1000

1.6.3 Frequency and voltage after rectification

1) The generators output at 400 rpm
Voltage Vdc 10 V/div 0.9 9 V

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Periode T 10 ms/div 0.83 8.3 ms 8.3 10 -3 s

Frequency f

1
1
1000

120.48 Hz
-3
T 8.3 10 s
8.3

2) The generators output at 700 rpm

Voltage Vdc 10 V/div 1.7 17 V
Periode T 5 ms/div 0.9 4.5 ms 4.5 10-3 s
Frequency f

1
1
1000

222.22 Hz
-3
T 4.5 10 s
4. 5

3) The generators output at 1000 rpm

Voltage Vdc 10 V/div 2.4 24 V
Periode T 2 ms/div 1.65 3.3 ms 3.3 10 -3 s
Frequency f

1
1
1000

303.03 Hz
-3
T 3.3 10 s
3.3

1.6.4 Operation of the inverter under various loads

1) The inverters output of incandescent lamp

Peak Voltage Vp 100 V/div 3.2 320 V

Effective Voltage Veff Vp

2 18

2 226.27 V

Peak Current I p 300 mA/div 0.52 156 mA

Effective Current I eff I p

2 156

2 110.31 mA

Periode T 5 ms/div 4 20 ms 20 10 -3 s
Frequency f

1
1
1000

50.00 Hz
-3
T 20 10 s
20

2) The inverters output of energy-saving lamp

Peak Voltage Vp 200 V/div 1.61 322 V

Effective Voltage Veff Vp

Wind Turbine

2 322

2 227.69 V

1-17

Periode T 10 ms/div 2 20 ms 20 10 -3 s
Frequency f

1
1
1000

50.00 Hz
-3
T 20 10 s
20

3) The inverters output of LED lamp

Peak Voltage Vp 200 V/div 1.6 320 V

Effective Voltage Veff Vp

2 320

2 226.27 V

Periode T 10 ms/div 2 20 ms 20 10 -3 s
Frequency f

1
1
1000

50.00 Hz
-3
T 20 10 s
20

1.8 CONCLUSIONS
1) The generator voltage increases proportionally with the speed.
2) The frequency is directly proportional to the speed.
3) The generator has 3 pole pairs.
4) The generator voltage is rectified and has a positive value.
5) The rectified voltage contains the original generator voltage's positive and

negative components.

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