Design and Development of a Wind Turbine Simulator Using a Separately Excited DC Motor

K. K. M. S. Kariyawasam, K. K. N. P. Karunarathna, R. M. A. Karunarathne, M. P. D. S. C. Kularathne, K. T. M. U. Hemapala

Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Katubedda, Sri Lanka..

DOI: 10.4236/sgre.2013.43031                

Abstract

Over the course of the past decade, power generation based on wind energy has become a significant component in modern power systems, which has caused substantial increase in the wind power based research. As it is complicated to use a real wind turbine for laboratory purposes, development of a replica of a real wind turbine that can be connected and used indoors is imperative. This paper presents the design and development of a wind turbine simulator that operates on the typical power-speed characteristics of a wind turbine. First, the mathematical model of the wind turbine simulator is developed and the corresponding CAD simulations are carried out. Proposed hardware implementations involve a DC motor-DC generator set, a variable load and a control system based on PI controllers. It is a simple, low power and low cost design that can be easily connected to an AC system through an inverter.

Keywords

Wind Turbines; Wind Turbine Simulator; PI Controller; Variable Load; Microgrid

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	H. M. Kojabadi, C. Liuchen and T. Boutot, “Development of a Novel Wind Turbine Simulator for Wind Energy Conversion Systems Using an Inverter-Controlled Induction Motor,” IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, Vol. 19, No. 3, 2004, pp. 547-552. doi:10.1109/TEC.2004.832070
[2]	F. Martinez, S. de Pablo and L. C. Herrero, “Fixed Pitch Wind Turbine Emulator Using a DC Motor and a Series Resistor,” Power Electronics and Applications (EPE’09), Barcelona , 8-10 September 2009
[3]	N. Bunlung, S. Sirisumrannukul and S. Chatratana, “Development of a Wind Turbine Simulator for Wind Generator Testing,” International Energy Journal, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2007, pp. 21-28.
[4]	D. S. L. Dolan and P. W. Lehn, “Real-Time Wind Turbine Emulator Suitable for Power Quality and Dynamic Control Studies,” International Conference on Power Systems Transients, Montreal, 19-23 June 2005.
[5]	G. L. Johnson, “Wind Energy Systems,” Prentice Hall, 1985.
[6]	M. Stiebler, “Wind Energy Systems for Electric Power Generation (Green Energy & Technology),” Springer, 2008.
[7]	F. D. Bianchi, H. De Battista and R. Mantz, “Wind Turbine Control Systems: Principles, Modeling and Gain Scheduling Design,” Springer, 2006.
[8]	J. G. Slootweg, S. W. H. de Haan, H. Polinder and W. L. Kling, “General Model for Representing Variable Speed Wind Turbines in Power System Dynamics Simulations,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2003, pp. 144-151.