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
Intended Use
 Laboratory Environment.
 Can be used for independent
or for class
purposes.
 Can be operated by anyone with basic knowledge
of circuitry.
SDMAY 12-24
Major Changes
 Last year’s system:



Batteries are voltage source
Wind turbine supplements power
Weak motor
 New system:



Wind turbine provides voltage source
Batteries can be used as backup
PC provides user-friendly interface
SDMAY 12-24
Last Year’s System
SDMAY 12-24
 Functional Requirements
 The
turbine circuitry will generate a 24V DC
output for any simulated wind speed
 The turbine circuitry can supply 24V to any load
variation up to 400 W
 System is easy to use for average undergraduate
student
 Motor RPM can be set and maintained accurately
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
All sensor and control equipment connected with
LabVIEW
SDMAY 12-24
Turbine Circuitry
 Internal circuitry needs
7 VDC to operate
 Battery must supply voltage to system
 By removing this circuitry and using the 3-phase
generator directly, the turbine can provide
voltage.
SDMAY 12-24
New System Model
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
Feedback Systems
 RPM Control



RPM is monitored
Slip is calculated
Voltage is adjusted to maintain low slip (1%)
 Output Voltage Control


Output voltage is monitored
PWM duty cycle is adjusted to maintain output
voltage (24V)
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
Motor Issue
 Previous motor could not provide
consistent highspeed output without overloading/overheating
 We replaced the 370W induction motor with an
Ironhorse 1.5 HP induction motor
 This required a new bracket to mount the motor
Figure from Wikipedia “File:VFD System.png”
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
New System Model
SDMAY 12-24
Rectifier and Buck-Boost
 Variable voltage/frequency
3-phase output from
generator.
 Rectifier converts to 1-phase DC output.
 Buck-boost converter outputs compatible voltage
levels to the inverter.
SDMAY 12-24
MATLAB Model for Rectifier/Buck-Boost Circuit
Schematics 
SDMAY 12-24
Pulse-Width Modulation
 Used to control switch in the buck-boost circuit.
 Circuitry controlled by LabVIEW
via NI-DAQ.
 Varying switching frequency and duty cycle
depending on the load.
 Feedback duty cycle control
SDMAY 12-24
SDMAY 12-24
Organization – Plexiglas Boxes
SDMAY 12-24
Testing
 Diode Rectifier

Clean DC signal sent to Buck-boost.
 Buck-boost converter

Signal outputs desired voltage level.
 PWM

Able to control the width of modulation.
 Full System

All circuits interact correctly.
SDMAY 12-24
Testing Process
SDMAY 12-24
Final System
SDMAY 12-24
Total Cost and Time Spent
$175 – 1.5 HP Motor
$70 – Coupling/Mounting
$50 – Hardware
$55 – Circuitry
$350 – Total
$500 – Budget
Research
Design
Implementation
Testing
Documentation
SDMAY 12-24
Any Questions??