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U.S. Department of Energy
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Some preliminary results from the NWTC direct-drive, variable-speed test bed

Conference ·
OSTI ID:425338

With the remarkable rise in interest in variable-speed operation of larger wind turbines, it has become important for the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) to have access to a variable-speed test bed that can be specially instrumented for research. Accordingly, a three-bladed, 10-meter, downwind, Grumman Windstream machine has been equipped with a set of composite blades and a direct-coupled, permanent-magnet, 20 kilowatt generator. This machine and its associated control system and data collection system are discussed. Several variations of a maximum power control algorithm have been installed on the control computer. To provide a baseline for comparison, several constant speed algorithms have also been installed. The present major effort is devoted to daytime, semi-autonomous data collection.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-83CH10093
OSTI ID:
425338
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP--440-21678; CONF-970135--6; ON: DE97000079
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English