Voltage Regulation of a Wind Axial-Flux PM Generator with a Novel Mechanical Device

One of the main problems regarding electrical wind power generation is the coupling between the wind turbine and the electric generator. A proper output voltage regulation is necessary in order to allow both the generator and the turbine to operate at maximum efficiency. Since wind generators are located in islanded areas, an important requirement is that all the parts of the generation system should be maintenance-free: the presence of power electronics active components usually adopted for maximum efficiency operation strongly reduces the overall reliability of the system. In this paper, a wind generator with a mechanical device for voltage regulation is proposed; in this way there is no need for active semiconductor switches. A prototype has been built and simulations and experimental results are fully discussed.