Generator design for existent windmills. From water pumping to electricity generation

摘要

The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of a direct-drive, permanent magnet synchronous generator to be used in the addition of electrical generation capability to water-pumping windmills. A characterization of the existing turbine structure is given in order to determine the generator's nominal mechanical input parameters. Electric machine topologies currently used in wind energy conversion are discussed and the machine structure is selected for this application. Finally, the initial design is presented and a brief discussion of the remaining work is given.