A midsize wind turbine, typically defined as 100 kW to 1 MW, is a cost-effective method of power generation for areas with limited power needs, such as farms or factories. A hydraulic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) in the form of a hydrostatic transmission (HST) provides a competitive solution for a mid-sized wind turbine. It not only provides reliable operation but also enables energy management features such as energy regeneration using hydraulic accumulators. This paper summarizes the research progress for midsize hydrostatic wind turbine conducted in the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power at the University of Minnesota. A power regenerative hydrostatic wind turbine platform being built at the University of Minnesota will provide a powerful tool to investigate the related research topics for the HST wind turbines.
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