Wind Tunnel Experiment: Temperature And Starting Torque Affect PMSG Generator When Connected To Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Blade

Abstract

Renewable energy sources are critical to reduce the use of fossil fuels that cause atmospheric Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Wind power can be used to generate electricity as a green energy source. Horizontal Axis Wind turbine (HAWTs) installed in large power plants are complex and costly. Small scale low wind speed turbines can be used in the office, home or farm as a new idea to implement wind energy applications. Vertical Axis Wind turbine (VAWTs) and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSGs) can be used on a small scale to resolve starting torque limitations using the skewing magnet technique. VAWT blades were combined with Savonius and Darrieus rotors. Skewing magnets at 0-20 degrees reduced starting torque by 34.66%, temperature in the coils 7-8%, and electrical power 18.18%. The VAWT system cut-in at a wind speed of 1.75 m/s when operated in a wind tunnel with 1-8 m/s wind speed. A VAWT system was successfully developed for a low wind speed turbine.

Keywords

• wind tunnel
• starting torque
• pmsg
• temperature
• vawts
• low speed wind