Superconducting Generators for Offshore Wind Turbines

Abstract:

Wind turbines represent the second largest source of renewable power (though solar is gaining). Wind energy started with land-based turbines. In recent years offshore wind turbines are being deployed to capture the steady offshore winds and relieved siting constraints.

This lecture starts with a discussion of energy accounting for wind turbines by considering the levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The drivetrains of onshore and offshore are then motivated by considering the dominant factors in LCOE. The lecture then discusses the permanent magnet generators (PMGs) currently used to support offshore wind turbine drivetrains before transitioning to a discussion of why superconducting generators could be valuable in offshore wind turbines. The converters through which the generator power is processed to the grid are discussed, including a discussion of space vector modulation for multi-level converters. The lecture concludes with a discussion of how the generator is controlled through the converter.

Speaker(s): David Torrey,

Room: 250, Bldg: Light Engineering Building, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States, 11794-2350, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/334887