MINI-EEEC Grundgerät für Windenergie, computergesteuert (PC)

The Computer Controlled Wind Energy Basic Unit, with SCADA, "MINI-EEEC", has been designed by EDIBON to experimentally reproduce the operation of a wind turbine under different wind and electrical load conditions. By varying air speed, blade configuration, and load conditions, the unit allows users to obtain wind turbine characteristic curves, study the relationships between operating variables, and experimentally determine generated power and energy conversion efficiency.

The unit includes a transparent air tunnel in which a computer-controlled variable-speed axial fan generates the airflow required to drive the wind turbine. Adjusting the fan rotational speed allows wind conditions to be varied in a controlled manner, while an air speed sensor measures this variable so it can be related to wind turbine performance.

The wind turbine includes a rotor that can be configured with two, three, or six blades, allowing its operation to be compared under different configurations. The airflow drives the rotor, and the generator converts its kinetic energy into electrical energy. A rotational speed sensor measures wind turbine speed, making it possible to study its behavior as a function of wind speed, blade number, and applied load.

The generated electrical energy is analyzed using a DC load module that includes two LEDs, a rheostat, and a DC motor. A load selector provides four operating conditions: open circuit, direct connection to the LEDs, connection to the rheostat, or connection to the DC motor. These configurations allow users to study the effect of different loads on wind turbine operation and analyze its electrical response.

A voltage and current sensor measures the electrical quantities supplied by the generator, from which the generated electrical power is determined. The instrumentation allows users to relate air speed, rotational speed, voltage, current, and power, as well as study wind turbine characteristic curves at constant wind speed and constant rotational speed. It also enables comparisons of generated power according to blade number and experimental determination of efficiency.

Computer control allows users to adjust fan speed, simultaneously display measured variables, and record results during experiments. It also enables real-time graphical representation of measured quantities and relationships between variables, such as power versus air speed or power versus wind turbine rotational speed. Acquired data can be stored and compared across different experimental conditions. The unit also supports sensor calibration exercises and real-time modification of control parameters.

This Computer Controlled Unit is supplied with the EDIBON Computer Control System (SCADA), and includes: The unit itself + a Control Interface Box + a Data Acquisition Board + Computer Control, Data Acquisition and Data Management Software Packages, for controlling the process and all parameters involved in the process.