Description
The Computer Controlled Wind Energy Unit, “EEEC”, contains an aerogenerator, in laboratory-scale, and is used to study the conversion of kinetic wind energy into electrical energy and to study the influence of some factors on this generation.
The unit consists of a stainless steel tunnel, an aerogenerator and an axial fan with variable speed (computer controlled). A rotor (or turbine) to place up to blades and a generator are the core elements of the aerogenerator.
The air speed is varied by changing the rotational speed of the axial fan. This fan generates the air flow required to set the rotor of the wind energy unit.
The generator converts the rotor’s kinetic energy into electrical energy.
The aerogenerator incidence angle and the angle of every blade can be modified. The blades can be removable and it is possible to set different blade configurations.
This unit includes a DC Load Regulator, an auxiliary battery charger, a battery and a DC Loads module. The DC Loads module contains DC lamps, rheostat, DC motor, load selector and switches to select the type of load.
The following parameters are measured: air temperature, air speed, speed of the rotor, voltage and current. There is a temperature sensor before the rotor of the aerogenerator. The air speed is measured with a sensor placed in the tunnel and also is determined the rotational speed of the aerogenerator (r.p.m.). A voltage and current sensor allows to measure the voltage and current to determine the power.
It is possible to know, in real time, the value of the DC voltage and the current given by aerogenerator, measured before and after the regulator.
Besides, the Computer Controlled Wind Energy Unit, “EEEC”, determines the thrust force on the wind turbine in direction of the wind and the mechanical torque of the wind turbine under operation.
This Computer Controlled Unit is supplied with the EDIBON Computer Control System (SCADA), and includes: The unit itself + a Control Interface Box + a Data Acquisition Board + Computer Control, Data Acquisition and Data Management Software Packages, for controlling the process and all parameters involved in the proces.
