Optimization of wind energy transfer using wind turbines

Date
2003-12
Authors
Moor, Gary Duncan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The effect of topography and terrain on wind is examined in order to ensure that the wind turbine positioning will encourage a greater availability of wind energy to it. Maximum power point tracking methods are presented whereby the loading on the wind turbine is controlled to ensure that the maximum available energy from the wind is captured. The wind turbine system is modelled and used in simulations to evaluate the three proposed maximum power point trackers, named anemometer control, calculation control and constant step control for the purpose of this thesis. An additional analog system is also created whereby the complete wind turbine system is able to be simulated. An inverter is used to replicate the generator and the loading is controlled using an active rectifier since this will be used on the practical system. The results from the simulations and analog system are presented whereby one of the trackers is shown to be inadequate and the other two trackers are shown to be close to ideal. The appeal of the calculation method is in the redundancy of an anemometer making it attractive to less expensive, small-scale systems.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die invloed van die topografie en die terrein op die dinamika van wind word ondersoek om sodoende te verseker dat die posisionering van wind turbienes 'n beter effektiwiteit van wind energie oordrag sal bewerkstellig. Maksimum drywingspunt volger metodes word bespreek sodat die lading op die wind turbiene beheer kan word om sodoende te verseker dat die maksimum wind energie oorgedra kan word. Die wind turbiene stelsel word gemodeleer en geimplimenteer om die drie voorgestelde maksimum drywingspount volgers te evalueer, naamlik windspoedbeheer, berekening-beheer en konstantestap-beheer vir die doeleindes van hierdie tesis. 'n Adissionele analoog stelsel is ontwerp waarmee die volledige wind turbiene stelsel gesimuleer kan word. 'n Omsetter word gebruik om die generator na te boots en die belading word beheer deur middel van 'n aktiewe gelykrigter soos gebruik 'n praktese stelsel. Resultate van die simulasies en die analog stelsel is verskaf om te bewys dat een van die volg-metodes onvoldoende volging bewerkstellig, en die ander twee nabyaan ideale volging bewerkstellig. Dit is getoon dat die berekening metode meer aantreklik is vir kleinskaal stelsels, aangesien 'n windspoedsensor onnodig is.
Description
Thesis (MScIng)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
Keywords
Wind turbines, Wind power, Dissertations -- Electrical engineering
Citation