EXPERIMENT NO.

2
CURRENT-VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTIC AND
POWER CURVE OF A WIND TURBINE

Objectives

1. Determine the current-voltage relationship of a wind turbine.

2. Define maximum power point (MPP) as it applies to wind turbines.

Theoretical Background

The Sun is the ultimate source of all energy. The Sun radiates a very large amount of energy
to the earth and out of this energy, 1-2% is converted into wind energy. This is why the wind
generator/turbine was invented, so that we could harness this wind energy and use it as a renewable
energy source. Since it comes from the wind, it will not be taking anything from the earth or drain
any of its natural resources like oil and fossil fuel.

Wind turbines are used to generate electricity from the kinetic power of the wind.
Historically, they were more frequently used as a mechanical device to turn machinery. There are
two main kinds of wind generators, those with a vertical axis, and those with a horizontal axis.
Wind turbines can be used to generate large amounts of electricity in wind farms both onshore and
offshore. The articles on this page are about wind turbines.

Wind turbines are used to generate electricity from the kinetic power of the wind. Historical
they were more frequently used as a mechanical device to turn machinery. There are two main
kinds of wind generators, those with a vertical axis, and those with a horizontal axis. Wind turbines
can be used to generate large amounts of electricity in wind farms both onshore and offshore.

One major concern for wind turbines is what happens when the wind gets too fast. Violent
winds could damage a wind turbine if it did not have a way to protect itself. Small wind turbines
built today protect themselves from overspeed conditions through a process called "furling." When
a wind turbine furls, it turns the blades out of the direction of the wind to slow or stop the rotation
of the rotor. Most small wind turbines furl either by turning the rotor to the side or by tilting the
rotor up and back.

In these experiment, we will study how exactly wind generators operate and its principles
of voltage, current and power production and their relationship to each other.
Apparatus

Lorenzo Kit
Wind Generator
Electric Fan
Protractor
Ruler
Analog D.C. milliammeter (100mA dc)
Electronic V.O.M.
Wire Connectors

Set-Up

Figure 2.1 Circuit Diagram of Wind Turbine

 Figure 2.2. Wiring diagram of Wind Turbine

Procedure

1. Setup and connect the circuit in the Lorenzo Kit as shown in Fig 2.1

2. Setup the Wind turbine by adjusting the Blades by facing them in the same direction so

that it would work properly.

3. Place the wind generator directly in front of the Wind Turbine at a fixed length.

4. Turn on the Wind generator and record the data (Voltage and Current) in Table 2.1 while

changing the variable resistance.

 Table 2.1 - Voltage-Current Characteristic of Wind Generator

R () U (V) I (mA) P (W)

0 0.032 120 3.840 m
0.1 0.041 120 4.920 m
0.33 0.067 120 8.040 m
1 0.141 120 16.920 m
3.3 0.395 110 43.450 m
10 0.917 80 73.360 m
33 1.466 50 73.300 m
100 2.055 20 41.100 m
330 2.390 5 11.950 m
2.791 0 0
Guide Questions

1. How does a wind turbine generate power?

________The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which is connected to a generator
which generates power. ____________________________

2. How does the variable load resistance affect the output voltage, current, and power of
the wind turbine?
________As the variable load resistance increases its value, the output voltage also
increases.________________________________________________________________

________Initially, from 0 to 1 , the circuit has a constant current of 120 mA. Then
the current starts to drop at 3.3 . At open circuit, where the variable resistance is
infinite, the current and power in the circuit are both 0. __________________________

________The power increases as the variable resistance increases its value, until it
reaches 10 . After 10 , the power generated started decreasing, until at open circuit, it
generates no power at all. __________________________________________________
INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

Using the concept from the previous experiment, we used wind turbines instead of solar
modules. We used the given circuit to study about the effects of the wind turbine to power up a
certain load. Using various values of resistances including an open and closed circuit, wherein
resistance is at infinite and zero, respectively. Since the wind turbine is powered through air
blowing through a standing fan, this makes the air flowing unstable. Such a thing is a problem in
the wind turbine itself. With continuous flow of wind, the blades shift to a different angle that
the one specified. With these factors, the voltages and currents are measured and power is
calculated.

From the table specified filled, the values of each conditions are analyzed. At 0 resistance,
or short circuit, the current is at a maximum value of 120 mA and the voltage measured at 0.032
V. The results shows that as the value of the variable resistance goes up, the voltage also
increases. The current is at its maximum (120 mA) until 1.0 . As the load further increases, the
current reading starts to drop until 0, where the circuit is open. The value of power in the circuit
is calculated by multiplying the voltage and current value at the variable resistance. Therefore,
the maximum power is produced at 10 .

In the current-voltage characteristic curve, it can be observed that the constant value of
120 mA before the voltage reaches 0.47 V. After that constant horizontal line, the graph falls
gradually until it reaches zero current. As for the power and voltage characteristic curve, an uphill
and downhill curve appears. It shows the varying values of power as the voltage produced by the
turbine increases. The power curve increases, until it reaches its maximum value, then it starts
to drop until it reaches 0.
CONCLUSION

. The current-voltage curve behaves like a downward motion showcasing an

inverse proportional relationship between the voltage and current after a
constant current output until a certain voltage mark.

The maximum voltage as shown in an open circuit is around 3 Volts.

At the Power Voltage Characteristic Curve, shows an upward motion until it

reaches the peak value. After the peak value, it starts to decrease until no power
is produced.

At open circuit, even though a high voltage is produced by a turbine, no current

flows through the circuit which means that no power is produced.

As the variable resistance value increases, the voltage produced by the turbine
also increases.

Current initially produces a constant amount, which is its peak value, and then
starts to drop at 3.3 .