Performance improvement of synchronous reluctance motors: A review

Abstract

Synchronous Reluctance motors can replace the more commonly used, induction, switched reluctance and permanent magnet motors. They have been shown to outperform similarly dimensioned induction motors in efficiency, torque and power density. They are simple and cheap to construct and require simple control. Such a motor would be ideal for wide spread use in Africa, which currently faces a power deficit, considering that motors account for about 43% of global electric power consumption. The use of synchronous reluctance motors in Electric Vehicles may contribute to the production of more efficient, heavier load and longer range vehicles. This would accelerate adoption of Electric Vehicles and it would help wean the world off fossil fuels. The synchronous reluctance motor has disadvantages of high torque ripple and poor power factor. A radical redesign of the rotor geometry and simultaneous optimisation of the rotor and the stator may significantly improve its performance.