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)
SDMAY 12-24
Project Description
 Computer controlled motor is coupled with
generator from wind turbine
 Turbine power is used to drive inverter w/ AC load
 Measurements are taken using DAQ USB-6008,
and imported into LabVIEW
SDMAY 12-24
Problem Statement
 Existing system:



Load primarily uses batteries
System does not efficiently use wind energy
Weak motor
 Model for new system:



Wind turbine primarily powers load
Batteries are used as backup
PC provides user-friendly interface
SDMAY 12-24
 Functional Requirements







Turbine voltage is rectified and converted to provide
consistent 24V output
Inverter will provide AC voltage to 2 light bulbs
The turbine can generate a 300W continuous output
The anemometer and wind vane will transmit wind
profiles from locations on campus
The motor will simulate outdoor wind speed
The wind turbine will supply the battery bank when
the voltage is below 24V
The turbine will not exceed power ratings on load
SDMAY 12-24
 Non-Functional Requirements


The final project will include a user’s manual
The project will be documented through technical
manual and in-depth schematics
 Technology Requirements



LabVIEW interface must accurately calculate
variables and display them for the user to see
Wind data must be read and input into LabVIEW in
real-time
All sensor and control equipment must be
connected with LabVIEW
SDMAY 12-24
LabVIEW Interface
 Control wind speed simulation motor
 Read measurements from:

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Wireless real wind data (Serial Input)
RPM (Digital Input via NI USB-6008)
CT sensors (Analog Input via NI USB-6008)
Voltage Divider (Analog Input via NI USB-6008)
 Obtain plots that can be analyzed using Excel.

Wind(mph) vs. Power (W), etc.
SDMAY 12-24
LabVIEW Interface

Available Outputs:

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Motor voltage
PWM generator
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
 Existing motor could not provide
consistent highspeed output without overloading/overheating
 We are replacing this 370W induction motor with
new 1.5 HP (1.1 kW) induction motor
 This will require a new bracket to mount the
motor
Figure from Wikipedia “File:VFD System.png”
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
Load/Battery/Turbine Solution
 Rectify three-phase output of
generator
 Up/Down convert voltage level to 24 V
 Control energy storage
SDMAY 12-24
VFD
Motor
Coupling
Generator
Rectifier / Boost-Buck
RPM
Sensor
PWM Generator
Load
SDMAY 12-24
Measurement From 3-phase Generator
SDMAY 12-24
MATLAB Model for Rectifier/Buck-Boost Circuit
SDMAY 12-24
Schematic for PWM generator
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
Estimated Cost
$175 – 1.5 HP Motor
$40 – Coupling
$45 – Mounting brackets
$20 – Other electrical components
$280 – Total
$500 – Budget
SDMAY 12-24
Planned Tasks
 Order
new motor and couple to generator
 Develop power management circuitry



Finish simulation
Build circuit
Test circuit
 Run full system test
 Finalize LabVIEW interface and
write user’s
manual
 Finalize all documentation and website
SDMAY 12-24
Any Questions??