Development of a small wind turbine for stand-alone system in rural environment. Reuse and recycling of electric motors.

Abstract

This paper studies the feasibility of using small electrical machines (e.g. automotive alternator, induction motors of domestic applications or electrical motors of some industrial application) as low cost generators for small wind turbine or small hydro power; its transformation in generators is not difficult. The objective is to provide a comparison among permanent magnet synchronous generator PMSG with different topologies (rotor configurations). The analysis was performed using FEMM-2D simulation software, which is based on finite element method. Small wind and hydro power systems are very attractive to support the energy demand for rural areas or developing countries where the electrical microgrid infrastructure is limited. Claw-pole automotive alternators can provide low cost alternative to permanent magnet synchronous generators for small wind and hydro turbines applications. The objective is the integration of hybrid energy conversion systems in microgrids and the development of small stand-alone systems in rural environment.