Study of Wind Turbine based Variable Reluctance Generator using Hybrid FEMM-MATLAB Modeling

Abstract

Based on exhaustive review of the state of the art of the electric generators fitted to Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS), this study is focused on an innovative machine that is a Variable Reluctance Generator (VRG). Indeed, its simple and rugged structure (low cost), its high torque at low speed (gearless), its fault-tolerance (lowest maintenance), allow it to be a potential candidate for a small wind power application at variable wind speed. For better accuracy, a finite element model of a studied doubly salient VRG is developed using open source software FEMM to identify the electromagnetic characteristics such as linkage flux, torque or inductance versus rotor position and stator excitation. The obtained data are then transferred into  look-up tables of MATLAB/Simulink to perform various simulations. Performance of the proposed wind power system is analyzed for several parameters and results are discussed.