Control System for the Performance Analysis of Turbines at Laboratory Scale

The generation of sustainable energy through wind and hydrokinetic turbines, which convert the kinetic energy from fluid flows into mechanical energy, presents an attractive solution for diversifying the country energy matrix in response to climate change. Consequently, numerous studies have investi...

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Main Authors: Felipe Obando Vega, Ainhoa Rubio-Clemente, Edwin Chica
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/19/4950
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author Felipe Obando Vega
Ainhoa Rubio-Clemente
Edwin Chica
author_facet Felipe Obando Vega
Ainhoa Rubio-Clemente
Edwin Chica
author_sort Felipe Obando Vega
collection DOAJ
description The generation of sustainable energy through wind and hydrokinetic turbines, which convert the kinetic energy from fluid flows into mechanical energy, presents an attractive solution for diversifying the country energy matrix in response to climate change. Consequently, numerous studies have investigated the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic behaviors of various wind and hydrokinetic turbines using numerical simulations to understand their interaction with the surrounding fluid flows and enhance their performance. However, to validate these studies and aiming at improving the turbine design, experimental studies on a laboratory scale employing wind tunnels and hydraulic channels are essential. This work addresses the development and implementation of a reliable control system for experimentally evaluating the power coefficient (C<sub>p</sub>) versus the tip speed ratio (TSR) curve of wind and hydrokinetic turbines. The control system, based on a DC motor acting as a generator and aligned with a commercial torque sensor, enables a precise control over the experimental setup. By obtaining and comparing the experimental performance curves of C<sub>p</sub> versus TSR for both wind and hydrokinetic turbines with numerical results, the effectiveness and accuracy of the developed control system are demonstrated. A satisfactory fit between numerical and experimental results was achieved, underscoring the utility and reliability of the control system for assessing the turbine performance.
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spelling doaj-art-1bde4d9f1f104eb9990c257091ddac4d2025-08-20T02:16:50ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-10-011719495010.3390/en17194950Control System for the Performance Analysis of Turbines at Laboratory ScaleFelipe Obando Vega0Ainhoa Rubio-Clemente1Edwin Chica2Grupo de Energía Alternativa, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050010, ColombiaGrupo de Energía Alternativa, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050010, ColombiaGrupo de Energía Alternativa, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050010, ColombiaThe generation of sustainable energy through wind and hydrokinetic turbines, which convert the kinetic energy from fluid flows into mechanical energy, presents an attractive solution for diversifying the country energy matrix in response to climate change. Consequently, numerous studies have investigated the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic behaviors of various wind and hydrokinetic turbines using numerical simulations to understand their interaction with the surrounding fluid flows and enhance their performance. However, to validate these studies and aiming at improving the turbine design, experimental studies on a laboratory scale employing wind tunnels and hydraulic channels are essential. This work addresses the development and implementation of a reliable control system for experimentally evaluating the power coefficient (C<sub>p</sub>) versus the tip speed ratio (TSR) curve of wind and hydrokinetic turbines. The control system, based on a DC motor acting as a generator and aligned with a commercial torque sensor, enables a precise control over the experimental setup. By obtaining and comparing the experimental performance curves of C<sub>p</sub> versus TSR for both wind and hydrokinetic turbines with numerical results, the effectiveness and accuracy of the developed control system are demonstrated. A satisfactory fit between numerical and experimental results was achieved, underscoring the utility and reliability of the control system for assessing the turbine performance.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/19/4950turbine efficiencytorque measurementelectric generationtorque controlspeed controlpower curve
spellingShingle Felipe Obando Vega
Ainhoa Rubio-Clemente
Edwin Chica
Control System for the Performance Analysis of Turbines at Laboratory Scale
Energies
turbine efficiency
torque measurement
electric generation
torque control
speed control
power curve
title Control System for the Performance Analysis of Turbines at Laboratory Scale
title_full Control System for the Performance Analysis of Turbines at Laboratory Scale
title_fullStr Control System for the Performance Analysis of Turbines at Laboratory Scale
title_full_unstemmed Control System for the Performance Analysis of Turbines at Laboratory Scale
title_short Control System for the Performance Analysis of Turbines at Laboratory Scale
title_sort control system for the performance analysis of turbines at laboratory scale
topic turbine efficiency
torque measurement
electric generation
torque control
speed control
power curve
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/19/4950
work_keys_str_mv AT felipeobandovega controlsystemfortheperformanceanalysisofturbinesatlaboratoryscale
AT ainhoarubioclemente controlsystemfortheperformanceanalysisofturbinesatlaboratoryscale
AT edwinchica controlsystemfortheperformanceanalysisofturbinesatlaboratoryscale