Application of automotive alternators in small wind turbines

Abstract

Small wind turbines have been in existence for several years but it seems they are not used where they are needed the most-distant off grid communities in developing countries. Cost and maintenance have been attributed to be reasons for this. One of its expensive constituents is its generator. The automotive alternator is considered as an alternative for generators in small wind turbines. In this project work, an off-the-shelf recycled automotive alternator is experimentally parameterized and modeled with an assumed small wind turbine. The wind turbine’s characteristics have been designed to match the power requirements of the alternator. The dynamic response of the alternator to wind speed variations is modeled and the effect of turbine blades’ inertia on the generator speed and by extension on the wind turbine’s performance coefficient indicates the need for a speed control mechanism to attain turbine optimal power operation. The speed control serves the purpose of tracking the turbine’s maximum power characteristics. Other requirements for adaptation of the alternator are investigated and discussed in this thesis.