Structural flexibility: a solution for weight reduction of large direct-drive wind-turbine generators

Abstract

This paper looks into a new concept for reducing the structural weight of large direct-drive generators used in wind turbines. The concept uses magnetic bearings to position the rotor of the generator. The use of magnetic bearings allows structural flexibility in the generator. The weight of the rotor using the new concept is compared to the weight of a rotor designed with conventional methods. For a 5-MW generator, the result is that the structural weight of the rotor reduces by 45%.