Control system for novel wind turbine design
The client, Wind Technologies required a control system for their innovative wind turbing generator design and called upon Sentec to provide the system via a consultancy project.
Wind Technologies was commercialising products for the wind turbine industry based around an innovative core brushless doubly fed generator design, which offers benefits of reduced capital outlay and maintenance as well as the ability to retrofit on existing nacelles.
“Wind Technologies used Sentec’s consultancy team to design bespoke power electronics for our innovative brushless wind turbine. The resulting electronics enable bi-directional power flow to and from the control winding, meeting the requirements for connection to the power grid, and the high speed response required for the control algorithms. We are delighted with the results and would have no hesitation in choosing Sentec for future projects.”
Dr Ehsan Abdi, CEO, Wind Technologies Ltd
However, the design requires a control system that is not achievable using existing motor drives, due to the complexity of the control algorithm. To allow the first test installation of a small scale turbine, Wind Technologies asked Sentec to develop a low cost and robust prototype approach, which could be easily transitioned and cost engineered into a production drive.
Sentec’s project included integrating an off-the-shelf motor drive with an IGBT module to enable bi-directional power flow between the grid and control winding. We worked with the client to integrate this drive into their existing system and to allow use of the drive with their test hardware.
The client now has a test installation in Cambridge, which is proving highly valuable for research and marketing purposes.
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