Design and prototyping of wind turbine tester with variable velocity pattern

Abstract

The prototype of a wind turbine tester with variable velocity patterns is presented in this research. It was designed to adjust the various wind speeds ranging from 3 m/s. to 12 m/s. which is normally found in Thailand. Then, this research created a device to control a fan that acted as a wind source. The wind source was adjusted to a desired wind speed at the front of wind turbine. The wind speed signals used in this experiment include step, ramp, and harmonic signals. The PIO control theory was used to ensure that the wind at the front of the turbine would meet the designed pattern. Test results showed that the prototype could control the desired speed and pattern. The variations of wind speed and wind pattern are expected to help engineers for designing a better wind turbine.