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 users 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:

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:

Motor voltage
PWM generator

Available Inputs:

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

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

22
0

21.5
0

500

1000
Motor RPM

1500

2000

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

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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 users

manual
Finalize all documentation and website

SDMAY 12-24

Any Questions??