Wind turbine emulator mimics the behaviour of wind turbine for hardware level simulations. This system has a DC motor coupled with the Induction generator/Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator, speed of which is controlled as per the speed reference calculated by solving the mathematical model of wind turbine. An induction generator is coupled to the DC motor and bidirectional inverter is connected to the terminals of the generator. Researcher can execute the mathematical models of their newly developed or modified wind turbine and can simulate the speed/power of profile of turbine on hardware environment directly for different wind speeds & pitch angle.

Why Emulator?
Exploiting wind energy and actively developing wind power generation have a great significance to solve the global energy and environmental crisis. Research and experiments on wind power generation system are difficult to carryout due to the limitation of severe conditions of wind farm and high cost. The wind turbine emulator system can substitute the actual wind turbine by calculating the output torque with the wind turbine torque model and rapidly producing a torque corresponding to the current wind condition. It not only has the same mechanical characteristic with the actual wind turbine, but also provides controllable equivalent wind energy. So, it can be used in the design, estimation and test application of the Wind Power Generation System which greatly improves the efficiency and validity of research development.

Technical Characteristics ≫

• Ability to track torque-speed and power-speed characteristics of a wind turbine at different wind speeds and pitch angle
• Plotting Cp-λ curve to show the turbine characteristics at a particular pitch angle
• Real time tracking of λ could be utilized to track the optimal λ of a turbine
• Maximum power point tracking opportunity based on the generated voltage and current feedback
• Ability to control DC link voltage using bidirectional converter in stand-alone mode
• Research on Microgrid possible as the DC link can accommodate other renewable sources such as PV
• Power flow and quality supplied to the grid can be controlled and analysed
• Further exploration of control techniques for smart grid implementation possible
• Continuous sensing of grid side voltage and currents provide opportunity to implement advanced control algorithms to control the behaviour as per grid conditions
• Implementing different maximum power point algorithm in Wind Turbine Emulator system
• Maintaining minimum reactive power at inverter output to achieve unity power factor and maximise the usable power generation
• Using different differential equations to emulate different Wind Turbine models
• Implementing Anti-islanding protection using fault detection at different loads

Technical Advantages ≫

• Modular and Scalable design
• Provision to add more energy sources
• System is rigorously tested and can work continuously without switching off
• Require very less space for installation
• Reliable Quality: Basically, no after sales service is required
• System comes with an illustrated experiment manual detailing every wiring connection to be made
• Specifications can be customized as per requirement
• Detailed demonstration and training of system is done during commissioning of the system

Research Options ≫

• Emulation of modified or totally new developed wind turbine under different loading conditions, wind speed etc.
• Testing and development of better power electronics and control for Wind Energy Generation system
• Analysis and characterization of wind energy systems
• Analysis of Micro-grid and smart grid integration with wind energy systems
• Power quality analysis
• Control techniques for regulated AC power from variable frequency AC power

Specifications ≫

Components	Sub-Components	Specifications
Prime Mover	DC Motor
	Number	1
	Output Power Rating	5 Hp
	Gear Box
	3-Phase Autotransformer- 0-240 V AC
	1-Phase Autotransformer- 0-120V AC
	Bridge Rectifiers
	DC Drive
	Control	Fixed Field, Variable Armature Voltage
	Rating	300V, 10A
Generation Unit	Self-Excited Induction Generator
	Type	3 Phase Squirrel Cage
	Power Rating	1.5kW, 240V AC
	No of poles	8
	AC Excitation Capacitor
	Tacho Generator
	DC-DC Converter for Motor speed control
	DC-DC Converter for Generation power control
	Bidirectional Converter
	Battery Bank
	Rating	12V, 26 Ah, 8 nos
	Inverter
	Type	3 Phase
	Rating	1000VA
	Filter
	Type	3 phase L-C Filter
	Transformer
	Type	Delta-Star
	Rating	1000VA
Control and Measurement	Control Card
	Processing Unit	FPGA
	ADC Inputs	Available
	PWM Outputs	Available
	LAN Connection for Real Time Data Exchange	Available
	User Interface and Software
	Proprietary Software
	Sensing Board
	DC Voltage Sensor
	DC Current Sensor
	Speed meter
	DC Voltmeters
	DC Ammeters
	AC Voltmeters
	AC Ammeters
Accessories	Manual