Feasibility Study of a Superconducting DC Direct-Drive Wind Generator

Superconducting (SC) direct-drive wind generators are proposed as a possible approach for offshore wind energy application. A lot of studies showed their benefits and superior performances. Small demonstrators up to several hundreds of kilowatts have been built and laboratory tested. More demonstrators will come in the future, and the success of these projects is very important for the large-scale prototypes to be realized. For most studies, the SC direct-drive generators are a synchronous generator concept. As the offshore wind farms are located far away from the land mainly due to the overall economic benefit, direct current transmission has been put forward. Hence, employing SC dc wind generators would be a good option. This enables a highly efficient and compact generator and, in addition, a new and also very efficient generator connection scheme at dc. For this reason, this paper investigates the feasibility of the large-scale SC dc direct-drive wind generator, in terms of torque, weight, and efficiency. In addition, the tape cost and commutation are discussed.

[1]  Kum-Kang Huh,et al.  Comparison of interior and surface PM machines equipped with fractional-slot concentrated windings for hybrid traction applications , 2011, 2011 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition.

[2]  J.A. Ferreira,et al.  Promising Direct-Drive Generator System for Large Wind Turbines , 2008, 2008 Wind Power to the Grid - EPE Wind Energy Chapter 1st Seminar.

[3]  Ronghai Qu,et al.  Influences of Generator Parameters on Fault Current and Torque in a Large-Scale Superconducting Wind Generator , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[4]  Zhe Chen,et al.  Design Optimization and Comparison of Direct-drive Permanent Magnet Wind Generator Systems , 2007 .

[5]  P. J. Masson,et al.  Optimization of a 10 MW Direct Drive HTS Generator for Minimum Levelized Cost of Energy , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[6]  Zhe Chen,et al.  Design optimization and comparison of large direct-drive permanent magnet wind generator systems , 2007, 2007 International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems (ICEMS).

[7]  H. Polinder,et al.  Comparison of direct-drive and geared generator concepts for wind turbines , 2005, IEEE International Conference on Electric Machines and Drives, 2005..

[8]  Ayman M. El-Refaie,et al.  Fractional-Slot Concentrated-Windings Synchronous Permanent Magnet Machines: Opportunities and Challenges , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.

[9]  A.C. Smith,et al.  Design Concepts for High-Voltage Variable-Capacitance DC Generators , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[10]  Bogi Bech Jensen,et al.  Design Study of Fully Superconducting Wind Turbine Generators , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[11]  C. Lorin,et al.  Development of a 3D Sizing Model for All-Superconducting Machines for Turbo-Electric Aircraft Propulsion , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[12]  Gianmario Pellegrino,et al.  Performance Comparison Between Surface-Mounted and Interior PM Motor Drives for Electric Vehicle Application , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.

[13]  P. Pillay,et al.  PM wind generator topologies , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[14]  M. Niemela,et al.  Performance analysis of fractional slot wound PM-motors for low speed applications , 2004, Conference Record of the 2004 IEEE Industry Applications Conference, 2004. 39th IAS Annual Meeting..

[15]  Henk Polinder,et al.  Review of Generator Systems for Direct-Drive Wind Turbines , 2008 .

[16]  Deok-je Bang,et al.  Promising Direct-Drive Generator System for Large Wind Turbines , 2008 .

[17]  Lie Xu,et al.  HVDC transmission for large offshore wind farms , 2002 .

[18]  Thomas M. Jahns,et al.  Pulsating torque minimization techniques for permanent magnet AC motor drives-a review , 1996, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron..

[19]  Rouhollah Shafaie,et al.  Design of a 10-MW-Class Wind Turbine HTS Synchronous Generator With Optimized Field Winding , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[20]  Marco Liserre,et al.  Overview of Multi-MW Wind Turbines and Wind Parks , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.

[21]  W.L. Kling,et al.  HVDC Connection of Offshore Wind Farms to the Transmission System , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion.

[22]  B. J. Chalmers,et al.  DC motors with high-critical-temperature superconducting field winding and slotless armature , 1994 .

[23]  Ronghai Qu,et al.  Review of Superconducting Generator Topologies for Direct-Drive Wind Turbines , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[24]  Ronghai Qu,et al.  Comparative Analysis on Superconducting Direct-Drive Wind Generators With Iron Teeth and Air-Gap Winding , 2014, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[25]  Ronghai Qu,et al.  Comparison Study of Superconducting Wind Generators With HTS and LTS Field Windings , 2015, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[26]  Yuejin Tang,et al.  Design of a Superconducting Synchronous Generator With LTS Field Windings for 12 MW Offshore Direct-Drive Wind Turbines , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.