Use of

Magnetic Levitation
for Wind Turbines:
Better Efficiency
&
Power Generation

A Presentation By:
Debajyoti Bose
 Wind Energy Basics

• Wind is a form of solar energy

• It is a natural power source that can be economically used to generate
electricity
• The way in which wind is created is from the atmosphere of the sun
causing areas of uneven heating. In conjunction with the uneven heating
of the sun, rotation of the earth and the rockiness of the earth’s surface
winds are formed

• The terms wind energy or wind power describes the process by which
the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity
• Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical
power
 Energy Reality

• Since a decade the demand for electricity is increasing at alarming rate

and the demand for power is running ahead of supply
• The present day methods are not sufficient to keep pace with ever
increasing demand
• Energy crisis has forced to think & develop the power generation by
renewable sources (mainly wind power)

• It is estimated that renewable sources might contribute about 20%-50%

to energy consumption in the later part of the 21st century
• World Wind Energy Association estimates wind power capacity is
expected to have an anticipated net growth rate of more than 21% per
year
 Types of Wind Turbines

Mostly two categories:

Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs)
Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs)

The major difference is the orientation

of the rotors and generator, which are all
vertically arranged, and usually on a
shaft for support and stability
 The Maglev Wind Turbine

• The Maglev wind turbine was first unveiled

at the Wind Power Asia exhibition in Beijing
2007
• The unique operating principle behind this
design is through magnetic levitation

• Extremely efficient system for wind energy

• A single large Maglev turbine can output
more than conventional horizontal wind
turbines
 Recent Developments

• World's largest production site for maglev wind turbines, China.

• Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Technology has invested 400 million yuan in
building this facility, which will produce maglev wind turbines with
capacities ranging from 400 to 5,000 Watts

• In the US, Arizona-based MagLev Wind Turbine Technologies will be

manufacturing these turbines

• Equatorial region countries – less wind speed (Malaysia ,Singapore)

Small Maglev Wind Turbine generation of power
• Prerana Energy Corporation Private Limited in India is exploring
opportunities to set up "MAGLEV - The Super-Powered Magnetic Wind
turbine"
 Magnetic Levitation

• Method by which an object is suspended

with no support other than magnetic
fields
• Magnetic pressure is used to counteract
the effects of the gravitational and any
other accelerations

Successful Areas:
1. Particle Accelerators
2. Trains
3. Petaflop Computers
4. Bio-magnetism in MRI
 Superconductivity & Meissner
Effect
• Superconductivity is a phenomenon of
exactly zero electrical resistance and
expulsion of magnetic fields occurring in
certain materials when cooled below a
characteristic critical temperature
• A quantum mechanical phenomenon. It is
characterized by the Meissner effect

The Meissner effect is the expulsion of

a magnetic field from a superconductor during
its transition to the superconducting state
 Potential Material for Maglev
Wind Turbines

Part Material
Shaft Stainless Steel
Wind Turbine Cardboard
Permanent Magnet Ceramics Magnet
Fixed Base Wood

Selection of the Magnet:

The four different classes are Alnico, Ceramic, Samarium Cobalt and Neodymium
Iron Boron also known Nd- Fe-B. Nd-Fe-B
 Operating Principle: Traditional

• When air moves quickly, in the

form of wind, the kinetic energy
is captured by the turbine
blades.
• The blades start to rotate and
spin a shaft that leads from the
hub of the rotor to a generator
and produce electricity
• The energy that can be extracted
from the wind is directly
proportional to the cube of the
wind speed
 Operating Principle: MVAWT

• Operates on the repulsion characteristics of

permanent magnets

• By placing these two magnets on top of each

other with like polarities facing each other,
the magnetic repulsion will be strong enough
to keep both magnets at a distance away from
each other

• The force created as a result of this repulsion

can be used for suspension purposes and is
strong enough to balance the weight of an
object depending on the threshold of the
magnets
 Operating Principle: MVAWT

• Power will then be generated with an axial flux

generator, which incorporates the use of
permanent magnets and a set of coils. The
generated power is in form of DC, stored in
battery

• This can be used to directly supply the DC loads

and can also be converted to AC using inverter
to supply AC loads

• Maglev technology is the most efficient means

of transferring kinetic energy to generate
electricity
 Operating Principle: MVAWT

• The vertical axis wind turbine platform

floats on a magnetic cushion with the
aid of permanent magnet suspension
and a companion linear synchronous
motor

• This technology eliminates nearly all

friction and delivers maximum wind
energy to the downstream linear
generator
 Aspects: Maglev Wind Turbine

• The rotor that is designed harness enough air to rotate the stator at low
and high wind speeds while keeping the center of mass closer to the
base yielding stability due to the effect of magnetic levitation

• The efficiency of turbine is increased by replacing the bearings by

magnets, the magnetic levitation helps the turbine to spin at much
faster rate as it will eliminate the stress on the shaft of the turbine
Aspects (Continued)

• The major components are placed at

ground level

• The system will provide electricity at a

rate lower than coal and nuclear

• This technology has the capacity to

completely displace current
technology in use for wind farm
 A Brief Comparison
Maglev vertical Axis Wind Turbine
(MVAWT)
Can spin in light breezes (1 m/s)
No or less maintenance
Configured to capture winds from
any direction without any external
control
Major components at ground level
No massive tall tower construction
Cost/Kwh is less
Long life span
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine
(HAWT)
High wind speed (>3 m/s)
Need of replacement of bearings,
lubrications etc.
Requires yaw mechanism turn
turbine blades in direction of wind
At a height on tall towers
Requires tall tower
Cost/KWh is more
Less life span
 Advantages of Maglev Wind
Turbines
• A massive tower structure is not required, as VAWTs’ are mounted closer
to the ground
• These are located closer to the ground and hence easier to maintain
• They don’t require yaw mechanisms

• Requires no lubrication
• Capable of generating power from wind speeds as low as 1.5 m/s and
reported to operate in winds reaching 40 m/s
• Producing 20% more energy than a conventional turbine, at the same
time decreasing operational costs by 50% over the traditional wind
turbine
 Limitations of Maglev Wind
Turbines

• The capital cost of wind power is third

higher than conventional thermal power

• Further electrical problems like voltage

flicker and variable frequency affect the
implementation of wind farm.

• Because of their low height they cannot

capture the wind energy stored in higher
altitudes.
Application Area for Maglev Wind
Turbines
• Suitable for the application in urban areas to
provide green energy, effective utilization in
street/domestic lighting and domestic appliances
• With the inclusion of inverter the power
generated can be used for both AC as well as DC
loads

• Can be used in remote places where conventional

power supply is uneconomic
• Hybrid power generation
• Generated power by this method can be used ON
and OFF grid
 THANK YOU !!!
A Presentation By:
Debajyoti Bose (R120214007)

Department of Electrical, Power & Energy Engineering