A Novel Integrated Wind Turbine Control System
with Rectifier By-passable Boost Chopper, Battery Charger, Inverter and Dump Load Controller
Technology description
Electricity generation using wind energy has been well recognized as environmentally friendly, socially beneficial, and economically competitive for many applications. Renewable energy sources such as wind power offer a feasible solution to distributed power generation for isolated communities where utility grids are not available. In such cases, stand-alone wind energy systems can be considered an effective way to provide continuous power to electrical loads.
This invention provides a novel structure of a wind turbine-battery management dump-load stand-alone renewable energy system and an optimal control of the same. The system may include both the power conversion and control units. In one embodiment, the power conversion unit features a wind turbine-driven three-phase induction generator, a diode rectifier, a battery charger, a boost converter, a battery bank and an inverter. A dump-load is also used to dissipate excess power that is not required for either the battery charging or the load.
The integrated control unit may use a micro-controller, which allows operation of the wind power system and the battery storage system to be merged into a single package under a master controller. This invention enables the use of renewable energy resources, while at the same time facilitating an efficient management of energy dispatch. This integrated control system offers isolated communities the potential to fully supply their electrical power needs.
Advantages
The novel features of the new wind turbine control system are:
- Allows the use of high voltage generators compatible with the system output AC voltage, even with the low voltage batteries as energy storage devices. High voltage generators are more efficient than traditional low voltage generators and wind-battery systems.
- Has a by-pass diode to provide a ‘short-cut’ of power flow at sufficient wind speeds, eliminating losses caused by the battery charger, battery and boost chopper in a conventional system.
- Substantially increases the operation range of wind speed due to the design of the high voltage generator and low voltage battery, and thus can capture wind energy and low wind speeds.
- Integrates the battery and battery charger as the energy storage facility, inverter as the power conversion apparatus, and damp load controller as a safety device for wind turbines and high wind speed and light load conditions.
Stage of development
A prototype is developed and laboratory testing is complete.
Intellectual property
US Patent 7,476,987 – Stand-Alone Wind Turbine System, Apparatus, and Method Suitable for Operating the Same
This technology is available for licensing.
Contact information
Office of Research Services, Industry-Government Services
University of New Brunswick
Phone: (506) 453-4674
partner@unb.ca
