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Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2017) | Viewed by 86684

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Prof. Dr. Kwok Tong Chau

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Guest Editor

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Interests: electric vehicle technologies; renewable energy systems; machines and drives; power electronics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Renewable energy (RE) has been globally identified to be the key to combat air pollution and global warming. Over the years, there have been significant advancements in RE harvesting, especially in the area of electric machines and drives.

This Special Issue, entitled “Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting”, invites articles that address state-of-the-art technologies and new developments of electric machines and drives for RE harvesting, including, but not limited to, power generation and energy storage. Articles which deal with the latest hot topics in RE machines and drives are particularly encouraged, such as permanent-magnet (PM) brushless machines, stator-PM machines, magnetless machines, magnetic-geared machines, vernier machines, transverse-flux machines and high-temperature superconducting (HTS) machines, as well as their drive systems for direct torque control, efficiency optimization and maximum power point tracking. In addition, articles which discuss direct-drive machines for micro-hydro, wind and wave power generation, as well as special machines for flywheel energy storage would be of particular interest. The discussion on the relationship between electric machines for different RE harvesting systems such as hydro versus tidal or solar-thermal versus geothermal is most welcome.

Prof. Dr. K.T. Chau
Guest Editor

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Keywords

renewable energy harvesting
PM brushless machine
magnetless machine
special machine
direct-drive machine
micro-hydro generator
wind generator
wave energy converter
power generation control
flywheel energy storage

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

8853 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Reserve Generation from a Francis Turbine for System Frequency Control

by Dean R. Giosio, Alan D. Henderson, Jessica M. Walker and Paul A. Brandner

Energies 2017, 10(4), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10040496 - 7 Apr 2017

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4329

Abstract

The increase in contributions from non base load renewables, such as wind and solar, can have adverse effects on the stability of an electrical grid. In this study, the possibility of rapidly loading a Francis turbine from a tail water depression (TWD) mode for providing additional system frequency control is investigated. Based on the analysis of full-scale TWD test results and key findings from the transient testing of a micro-hydro scale turbine unit, a detailed description of the TWD transition process is given. The formulation of an improved turbine model for use in one-dimensional hydro-electric plant models is presented with simulation results compared to full-scale data. The analytical model, which calculates output power according to the conservation of angular momentum and identified sources of loss, is used in parallel with full-scale and model scale test observations to elucidate the events and mechanisms occurring during this proposed transition. The output response, in terms of active power, was found to be highly dependent on guide vane opening rate in both full-scale and model tests. For an approximate doubling in opening rate, the duration of the reverse power flow was reduced by 38% and 21%, for full-scale and model units, while the low pressure transient increased by 16% and 8%, respectively. The analytical model was shown to capture the general response characteristic in all cases tested; however, output power response was over predicted due to two identified model assumptions made, while, for the more rapid opening, the penstock pressure was under predicted by approximately 15%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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7983 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reluctance Machine for a Hollow Cylinder Flywheel

by Magnus Hedlund, Tobias Kamf, Juan De Santiago, Johan Abrahamsson and Hans Bernhoff

Energies 2017, 10(3), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10030316 - 7 Mar 2017

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 8071

Abstract

A hollow cylinder flywheel rotor with a novel outer rotor switched reluctance machine (SRM) mounted on the interior rim is presented, with measurements, numerical analysis and analytical models. Practical experiences from the construction process are also discussed. The flywheel rotor does not have [...] Read more.

Wh / kg

at ultimate tensile strength (UTS) according to simulations. The novel SRM is an axial flux machine, chosen due to its robustness and tolerance for high strain. The computed maximum tip speed of the motor at UTS is 1050

m / s

. A small-scale proof-of-concept electric machine prototype has been constructed, and the machine inductance has been estimated from measurements of voltage and current and compared against results from analytical models and finite element analysis (FEA). The prototype measurements were used to simulate operation during maximal speed for a comparison towards other high-speed electric machines, in terms of tip speed and power. The mechanical design of the flywheel was performed with an analytical formulation assuming planar stress in concentric shells of orthotropic (unidirectionally circumferentially wound) carbon composites. The analytical approach was verified with 3D FEA in terms of stress and strain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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4486 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Study on a Single-Screw Expander for a Small-Scale Pressure Recovery System

by Guoqiang Li, Yuting Wu, Yeqiang Zhang, Ruiping Zhi, Jingfu Wang and Chongfang Ma

Energies 2017, 10(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10010006 - 22 Dec 2016

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6484

Abstract

A single-screw expander with 195 mm diameter is developed to recover pressure energy in letdown stations. An experiment system is established using compressed air as a working fluid instead of natural gas. Experiments are conducted via measurements for important parameters, such as inlet and outlet temperature and pressure, volume flow rate and power output. The influence of inlet pressure and rotational speed on the performance are also analyzed. Results indicate that the single-screw expander achieved good output characteristics, in which 2800 rpm is considered the best working speed. The maximum volumetric efficiency, isentropic efficiency, overall efficiency, and the lowest air-consumption are 51.1 kW, 83.5%, 66.4%, 62.2%, and 44.1 kg/(kW·h), respectively. If a single-screw expander is adopted in a pressure energy recovery system applied in a certain domestic natural gas letdown station, the isentropic efficiency of the single-screw expander and overall efficiency of the system are found to be 66.4% and 62.2%, respectively. Then the system performances are predicted, in which the lowest methane consumption is 27.3 kg/(kW·h). The installed capacity is estimated as 204.7 kW, and the annual power generation is 43.3 MWh. In the next stage, a pressure energy recovery demonstration project that recycles natural gas will be established within China, with the single-screw expander serving as the power machine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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6944 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling of a Field-Modulated Permanent-Magnet Machine

by Xianglin Li, K. T. Chau and Yubin Wang

Energies 2016, 9(12), 1078; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9121078 - 19 Dec 2016

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5008

Abstract

In this work, an effective field-modulated permanent-magnet (FMPM) machine was investigated, in which the spoke-magnet outer rotor and open-slot stator were employed. The objective of this paper is to provide the mathematical modeling analysis that was performed for the purpose of control research on this type of FMPM machine. The simulation results by means of finite element analysis (FEA) are given to verify the theoretical analysis and the validity of mathematical model. A prototype machine was also fabricated for experimentation. Both the analytical model and the FEA results are validated by experimental tests on the prototype machine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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2226 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fault-Ride through Strategy for Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Generators in Variable-Speed Wind Turbines

by Mohamed Abdelrahem and Ralph Kennel

Energies 2016, 9(12), 1066; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9121066 - 15 Dec 2016

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 6706

Abstract

Currently, the electric power production by wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) has increased significantly. Consequently, wind turbine (WT) generators are requested to fulfill the grid code (GC) requirements stated by network operators. In case of grid faults/voltage dips, a mismatch between the generated active power from the wind generator and the active power delivered to the grid is produced. The conventional approach is using a braking chopper (BC) in the DC-link to dissipate this active power. This paper proposes a fault-ride through (FRT) strategy for variable-speed WECSs based on permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs). The proposed strategy exploits the rotor inertia of the WECS (inertia of the WT and PMSG) to store the surplus active power during the grid faults/voltage dips. Thus, no additional hardware components are requested. Furthermore, a direct model predictive control (DMPC) scheme for the PMSG is proposed in order to enhance the dynamic behavior of the WECS. The behavior of the proposed FRT strategy is verified and compared with the conventional BC approach for all the operation conditions by simulation results. Finally, the simulation results confirm the feasibility of the proposed FRT strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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4786 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simple Design Approach for Low Torque Ripple and High Output Torque Synchronous Reluctance Motors

by Mohamed Nabil Fathy Ibrahim, Peter Sergeant and Essam Rashad

Energies 2016, 9(11), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9110942 - 11 Nov 2016

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 6793

Abstract

The rotor design of Synchronous Reluctance Motors (SynRMs) has a large effect on their efficiency, torque density and torque ripple. In order to achieve a good compromise between these three goals, an optimized rotor geometry is necessary. A finite element method (FEM) is a good tool for the optimization. However, the computation time is an obstacle as there are many geometrical parameters to be optimized. The flux-barrier widths and angles are the two most crucial parameters for the SynRM output torque and torque ripple. This paper proposes an easy-to-use set of parametrized equations to select appropriate values for these two rotor parameters. With these equations, the reader can design a SynRM of distributed windings with a low torque ripple and with a better average torque. The methodology is valid for a wide range of SynRMs. To check the validity of the proposed equations, the sensitivity analysis for the variation of these two parameters on the SynRM torque and torque ripple is carried out. In addition, the analysis in this paper gives insight into the behavior of the machine as a function of these two parameters. Furthermore, the torque and torque ripple of SynRMs having a rotor with three, four and five flux-barriers are compared with three literature approaches. The comparison shows that the proposed equations are effective in choosing the flux-barrier angles and widths for low torque ripple and better average torque. Experimental results have been obtained to confirm the FEM results and to validate the methodology for choosing the rotor parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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2640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Minimization of Cogging Force in Fractional-Slot Permanent Magnet Linear Motors with Double-Layer Concentrated Windings

by Qian Wang, Bo Zhao, Jibin Zou and Yong Li

Energies 2016, 9(11), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9110918 - 5 Nov 2016

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6915

Abstract

Permanent magnet linear motors (PMLMs) with double-layer concentrated windings generally show significant cogging forces due to the introduction of auxiliary teeth for eliminating the end-effect induced phase unbalance, even when the fractional-slot technology is applied. This paper presents a novel approach to reduce the cogging force by adjusting the armature core dimensions in fractional-slot PMLMs with double-layer concentrated windings, together with magnet skewing. It is shown that the proposed technique is capable of reducing the cogging force of the motor in an effective way, with the peak value minimized to less than 0.4% of the rated thrust force in the case study. Such a technique can also be applicable to other linear motors with appropriate changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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9751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Flux Focusing Magnetically Geared Machine with Reduced Eddy Current Loss

by Jin Liu, Wenxiang Zhao, Jinghua Ji, Guohai Liu and Tao Tao

Energies 2016, 9(11), 904; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9110904 - 2 Nov 2016

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5278

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel flux focusing magnetically geared (MG) machine for wind power generation, considering the permanent magnets (PMs) eddy current loss and the balance between the pull-out torque of MG machine and the back-electromotive force (EMF)of the PM brushless machine. The PM eddy current loss in the two rotors of the conventional surface-mounted MG machine is calculated and analyzed by using finite-element method. By adopting serial-spoke structure in the inner rotor, a novel rotor structure for a MG machine is proposed to reduce the PM eddy current loss. Moreover, in order to balance the pull-out torque and the back-EMF, several serial-spoke structures and the main design parameters are investigated. Then, a quantitative comparison between the proposed topology and the conventional surface-mounted MG machine is performed. The analysis results indicate that the PM eddy current loss of the proposed MG machine can be significantly reduced and its pull-out torque and back-EMF can be balanced well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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20173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Phase Current Reconstruction Approach for Three-Phase Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive

by Hao Yan, Yongxiang Xu and Jibin Zou

Energies 2016, 9(10), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9100853 - 21 Oct 2016

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 9363

Abstract

Three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) are widely used in renewable energy applications such as wind power generation, tidal energy and electric vehicles owing to their merits such as high efficiency, high precision and high reliability. To reduce the cost and volume of the drive system, techniques of reconstructing three-phase current using a single current sensor have been reported for three-phase alternating current (AC) control system using the power converts. In existing studies, the reconstruction precision is largely influenced by reconstructing dead zones on the Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) plane, which requires other algorithms to compensate either by modifying PWM modulation or by phase-shifting of the PWM signal. In this paper, a novel extended phase current reconstruction approach for PMSM drive is proposed. Six novel installation positions are obtained by analyzing the sampling results of the current paths between each two power switches. By arranging the single current sensor at these positions, the single current sensor is sampled during zero voltage vectors (ZVV) without modifying the PWM signals. This proposed method can reconstruct the three-phase currents without any complex algorithms and is available in the sector boundary region and low modulation region. Finally, this method is validated by experiments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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5214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical Calculation of D- and Q-axis Inductance for Interior Permanent Magnet Motors Based on Winding Function Theory

by Peixin Liang, Yulong Pei, Feng Chai and Kui Zhao

Energies 2016, 9(8), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9080580 - 25 Jul 2016

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 17792

Abstract

Interior permanent magnet (IPM) motors are widely used in electric vehicles (EVs), benefiting from the excellent advantages of a more rational use of energy. For further improvement of energy utilization, this paper presents an analytical method of d- and q-axis inductance calculation for IPM motors with V-shaped rotor in no-load condition. A lumped parameter magnetic circuit model (LPMCM) is adopted to investigate the saturation and nonlinearity of the bridge. Taking into account the influence of magnetic field distribution on inductance, the winding function theory (WFT) is employed to accurately calculate the armature reaction airgap magnetic field and d- and q-axis inductances. The validity of the analytical technique is verified by the finite element method (FEM). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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8555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Control of a Dual-Stator Flux-Modulated Motor for Electric Vehicles

by Xinhua Guo, Shaozhe Wu, Weinong Fu, Yulong Liu, Yunchong Wang and Peihuang Zeng

Energies 2016, 9(7), 517; https://doi.org/10.3390/en9070517 - 2 Jul 2016

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6565

Abstract

This paper presents the control strategies for a novel dual-stator flux-modulated (DSFM) motor for application in electric vehicles (EVs). The DSFM motor can be applied to EVs because of its simple winding structure, high reliability, and its use of two stators and rotating modulation steels in the air gap. Moreover, it outperforms conventional brushless doubly-fed machines in terms of control performance. Two stator-current-oriented vector controls with different excitation in the primary winding, direct and alternating current excitation, are designed, simulated, and evaluated on a custom-made DSFM prototype allowing the decoupled control of torque. The stable speed response and available current characteristics strongly validate the feasibility of the two control methods. Furthermore, the proposed control methods can be employed in other applications of flux-modulated motors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electric Machines and Drives for Renewable Energy Harvesting)

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