Wind Turbine
Simulation
(Phase IV)
SDMAY 12-24
Advisor:
Dr. Venkataramana Ajjarapu
SDMAY 12-24
Group Members
 Brian Alexander (Computer Engineering)
 Lon
Bromolson (Electrical Engineering)
 Jarid Strike (Electrical Engineering)
 Chase Schaben (Electrical Engineering)
 Anthony Swope (Electrical Engineering)
SDMAY 12-24
Project Description
 Computer controlled motor is coupled with wind
turbine
 Wind turbine -> batteries -> inverter -> AC load
 Measurements are taken using DAQ USB-6008,
and imported into LabVIEW
SDMAY 12-24
Problem Statement
 Existing system:



Load primarily uses batteries.
Turbine charges batteries when needed.
System does not efficiently use wind energy
 Model for new system:



Wind turbine primarily powers load
Batteries are used as backup
PC provides user-friendly interface
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
Current System
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
 Functional Requirements






The turbine will generate a 24V DC output.
The turbine will generate a 400W peak output.
The motor will simulate outdoor wind speed.
The anemometer and wind vane will transmit wind
profiles from locations on campus
The turbine output current will be accurate for the
input wind speed
The turbine will divert power to the load or a dump
when excess power is produced
SDMAY 12-24
 Non-Functional Requirements


The project will comply with all state and federal
electrical regulations.
The project will be documented through technical
manual and in-depth schematics.
 Technology Requirements



LabVIEW interface must accurately calculate
multiple variables throughout the system and
display them for the user to see.
Wind profiles must be read and input into LabVIEW
in real-time.
All sensor equipment must be compatible with DAQ
module.
SDMAY 12-24
LabVIEW Interface
 Control wind speed simulation motor
 Read measurements while running motor
 Provide rich user interface for real-time operation
 Obtain plots that can be analyzed using Excel.

Power (W) vs Wind(mph), Power (W) vs time(s), etc
SDMAY 12-24
LabVIEW Interface

Available Outputs:


Motor voltage/frequency (controlled by DSP)
Available Inputs:

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Wind speed measured by anemometer
Motor RPM measured by Hall sensor
Turbine current measured by current transducer and
USB-6008
Inverter current measured by current transducer and
USB-6008
Battery voltage measured by USB-6008
SDMAY 12-24
2000
300
1800
1600
250
Motor RPM
Turbine Power
1400
200
150
1200
1000
800
600
100
400
50
200
0
0
0
500
1000
1500
0
2000
50
100
150
200
Supply Voltage
Motor RPM
12
26.5
26
25.5
System Voltage
Turbine Current
10
8
6
4
25
24.5
24
23.5
23
22.5
2
22
0
21.5
0
500
1000
Motor RPM
1500
2000
0
500
1000
Motor RPM
1500
2000
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
Motor Control Issues
 Previous design team used standard 3-phase
power supply rather than programmable DSP
variable-frequency drive
 Motor was overheating when 3-phase power
supply was used
Figure from Wikipedia “File:VFD System.png”
SDMAY 12-24
MATLAB PLECS
 MATLAB PLECS


Used to simulate the current circuit.
Show how possible solutions will affect the system
SDMAY 12-24
PLECS Schematic
SDMAY 12-24
Load/Battery/Turbine Solutions
 PLECS software
 Different


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Circuit Ideas
Boost Converter
Charge Controller
Logic Controller
SDMAY 12-24
Test Plan
 Run system for a long period (few days or few weeks)
while simulating actual wind speed conditions
 Measure power generation of wind turbine over time
 Measure battery voltage over time
SDMAY 12-24
Accomplished Tasks
 All signals coming from sensors are available to
access in LabVIEW, and a initial user-interface has
been developed.
 Power management circuit ideas have been
discussed, existing circuit has been modeled in
MATLAB.
 Measurements have been taken using 3-phase
power supply, but motor was overheating.
SDMAY 12-24
Planned Tasks
 Develop
control/measurement software in
LabVIEW
 Develop accurate motor control using DSP and
variable-frequency drive
 Develop power management circuitry


Perform analysis
Compare systems and optimize solution
 Draft new schematics
SDMAY 12-24
Any Questions??