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Presentation
Controlled Velocity Testing of an 8-kW Wind Turbine
WINDPOWER 2001
  • Scott M. Larwood, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  • Jim Sencenbaugh, WindLite Corporation
  • Brian Acker, WindLite Corporation
Document Type
Conference Presentation
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Organization
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
Location
Washington, D.C.
Conference Dates
June 4-7, 2001
Date of Presentation
6-4-2001
Disciplines
Abstract

This paper describes a case study of the controlled-velocity test of an 8-kW wind turbine. The turbine was developed in response to the U.S. Department of Energy's small wind turbine program. As background, the prototype development is discussed. The turbine mechanical and electrical components are described. The turbine was tested on a flatbed truck and driven down an airfield runway at constant relative wind speed. Horizontal furling was used to control over-speed. Various parameters were changed to determine their effects on furling. The testing showed that the machine had insufficient rotor offset for adequate furling. Also, a rotor resonance problem was discovered and remedied. Problems associated with taking the measurements made it difficult to determine if the truck test was a suitable method for code validation. However, qualitative observations gleaned from the testing justified the effort.

Citation Information
Scott M. Larwood, Jim Sencenbaugh and Brian Acker. "Controlled Velocity Testing of an 8-kW Wind Turbine" WINDPOWER 2001 (2001)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/scott-larwood/3/