Design and implementation of a variable speed wind turbine emulator

Abstract

In order for studies to be undertaken on wind generator control and design, an easy method of testing the different designs needs to be implemented in a lab. A system which accurately emulates the instantaneous torque developed by the wind turbine has been developed and implemented in a laboratory. A turbine model was developed which includes various wind and turbine effects, such as tower shadow or wind shear, in order to emulate the operation of a turbine during transient and steady state conditions. The wind turbine emulator (WTE) allows for various turbines to be easily tested in the laboratory, under any wind conditions.