wind turbine self-exciting
At first glance, wind turbine self-exciting sounds like a good idea - self-exciting generators tend to be smaller than conventional types and tend to have a more controllable output. The principle behind self-excitation is that the generator uses some of its own output to power electro-magnetic coils, rather than simply relying on permanent magnets. They may be used in conjunction with permanents or may be used exclusively.
It sounds like a technology idealy suited to wind generation - wind trbine self-exciting would, you would think, allow you to build a turbine which is physically smaller for a given output, as well as keeping control of the charge coming into you electrical system.
However, wind turbine self-exciting is not popular. Most commercially available wind turbines use permanent magnets. When we're all trying out best to get the most energy out of alternative energy sources and renewable energy technologies, how come this is the case? Surely wind turbine self-excitation is the obvious answer? Well, no. Here's why:
Self-exciting generators tend to have to run at high rpm. Alternator / generator shafts connected directly to a wind turbine's rotor blade hub (as most are) don't turn nearly quickly enough. To get high enough rpm, you need to gear up the turn speed before it gets to your self-exciting generator. The flipside of this move is that through that gearing, the motor ends up presenting a much higher inertia at the rotor blades thus meaning you'd need very high winds to turn the thing. In reality, rather than getting a super-efficient little wind turbine, all your wind turbine self-exciting would achieve would be to render your wind generator virtually useless, it never being able to turn until the kinds of freak winds are acheived which would mean the blades would actually need to be aerodynamically stalled to prvent them being torn off, or your wind turbine tower being pulled over. OK, maybe there's a little exaggeration for effect here, but you get the picture.
Most wind turbines don't link directly into a mains electricity supply. Rather, they tend to be hooked into battery systems which are then used when needed. Most good commercially available wind turbines, such as Southwest Windpower's Air-X range, use sophisticated electronics to manage output and regulate voltage. This voltage regulator equipment then protects the batteries that the wind turbine is charging.
So, in brief, wind turbine self-exciting? Nice idea, but it's not practical nor needed any more!
wind turbine news
1 Aug 2010 at 7:10am
Turbine noise ruffling feathersCape Cod TimesElizabeth and Neil Andersen of Falmouth say noise from the town wind turbine near their Blacksmith Shop Road home has ruined their quality of life. ...and more »
31 Jul 2010 at 4:50am
Rural resident gets OK for home wind turbineKansas City StarThe Johnson County Commission unanimously approved a permit this week for construction of a residential wind turbine in a rural area between De Soto and ...and more »
31 Jul 2010 at 7:18am
Boston GlobeWind farm rate reduction negotiatedCape Cod TimesThe proposed Cape Wind project includes 130 wind turbines over a 25-square-mile section of Nantucket Sound. The wind farm site is located about five miles ...AG wrests price cut from Cape WindBoston GlobeMass. AG reaches deal with Cape Wind to cut costsBusinessWeekall 45 news articles »
30 Jul 2010 at 5:26am
Michigan backs wind turbine project with $3.5MBusinessWeekMichigan has given a Centers of Energy Excellence designation and $3.5 million in funding for a wind turbine component project in Eaton Rapids. ...Business briefsLansing State JournalWind Energy Collaboration Receives COEE DesignationNorth American Windpowerall 3 news articles »
31 Jul 2010 at 9:35pm
Canadian's spin on windmill design touted as green-energy breakthroughVancouver SunGlenn Lux has built a wind turbine on the east end of Eighth Street East in Saskatoon July 13, 2010. ...and more »
1 Aug 2010 at 12:54am
AS YOU WERE SAYING . . . ; At the whim of the windistockAnalyst.com (press release)At the other end of the spectrum is a publicly-owned wind turbine in Saco, Maine, which, according to Saco's Sun Chronicle, was built at a cost of $210000 ...Windmills Literally Blowing in the WindAmerican DailyWind power plan on track: KeirTimes and TranscriptGerman wind growth down, exports strongUPI.comall 13 ...
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