SAWT training document

Part one
Differences among VAWTs
 Advantages of VAWT

● Safer
● Noise-free

● Lower tower

● Bird-friendly

● Easy maintenance

● Longer operation life

● Higher wind utilization ratio

● Smaller foundation foot print

 Drag-type VAWTs

Advantages : Easy to start; low RPM

Disadvantages: Low efficiency; difficulty in over-speed
regulation; poor capability to withstand heavy
wind, thus hard to be commercialized.
 Combined drag-and-lift type VAWTs

X For such turbines, the inside mill drive the outside mill, but the inside mill
causes turbulence which negatively influences the outside mill. Therefore,
combined drag-and-lift type VAWTs have a relatively low efficiency.
X Advantages : Simple structure; low cost.
X Disadvantages: Low efficiency; difficulty in over-speed regulation; narrow
working wind speed range; poor capability to withstand heavy
wind.
 Lift-type VAWTs

Features: Multi-blades; various shapes and performance

 Blades are held at
both ends

X Since the blades are held at both ends, the structure can best maintain the inside-
and-outside air pressure difference during rotation. Thus such turbines perform
best aerodynamically. However, the long main shaft experiences bigger bending
moment, which is not ideal for mechanical structure and can lead to vibration.
X Advantages : Good aerodynamic performance
X Disadvantages: Longer main shaft; heavier
 Shortened shaft; blades
are held in the middle

X Because of a shortened shaft, the bending moment on the shaft is relatively

small. However, when the mill rotates, the pressure difference between inside-
and-outside air will be easily lost. Thus this kind of VAWT optimizes
mechanical structure at the cost of aerodynamic efficiency.
X Advantages : Relatively lighter; relatively less costly.
X Disadvantages: Relatively low efficiency; difficulty in over-speed regulation;
narrow working wind speed range.
 Helical-bladed VAWTs

X Helical blades are used to eliminate dead point in starting.

X Advantages : Lighter and less costly due to fewer blades.
X Disadvantages: Since the front area only receives a △ torque, this structure
needs relatively high wind to start; difficulty in over-speed
regulation; narrow working wind speed range; not suitable for
low or high wind speed locations.
 SAWT’s VAWT

Main shaft is shortened to

approx. ½ of the blade
length

X This mill structure strikes a balance between aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical structure. Flaps
at both ends of blades help to maintain the air pressure difference between the inside-and-outside the
mill. With appropriate width of the blades, 5 blades is easy to start, good aerodynamic efficiency and
mechanical structure, pitch control device between blades and shaft operate to regulate rotation
speed; wide working wind speed range; with auto braking system, thus most suitable to be
commercialized
X Advantages : High efficiency; easy to start; wide working wind speed range; strong structure and
good ability to withstand heavy wind
X Disadvantages: Heavier; relatively costly
 Pitch device

► When the wind speed exceeds the rated wind speed (12m/s), the pitch angle controlling
device will work automatically. It will maintain the RPM and power of the turbine.
This function is essential to VAWTs.
► The pitch device allows the mill to work at wind speed up to 25m/s. Thus ensures a wider
range of working wind speeds.
 SAWT’s Auto-brake Structure

Brake for 1kw & 3kw turbines Brake for 5kw & 10kw turbines

Two-stage magnet valve One-stage hydraulic

brake brake
 Essential systems for VAWTs
X Pitch angle & auto mechanical brake system are the essential to VAWT
X Pitch angle system keep SAWT’s turbine to generate electricity in wider wind
speed range than other VAWT do.

X Braking system protects the wind turbine from disintegrating caused by over-
speed rotation in very high wind speeds. SAWT’s braking system keeps
turbines safe at wind speed up to 50-55m/s.

X Features of the two different braking system for SAWT’s turbines

a) Magnet valve braking system: composed of two-stage brake– drum brake and
pin brake. Bigger power consumption and needs backup electricity when the
turbine is shut down.
b) Hydraulic braking system: One-stage brake structure, disc brake, less impact
on the turbine’s structure because the brake force is imposed gradually. Small
power consumption and needs no backup electricity when the turbine is shut
down. The hydraulic pressure maintains the braking force. In case of grid
failure, the battery inside the controller can provide electricity for braking for
one time. The battery will be charged when the grid recovers.
 Generator assembling unit

◆ The generator, shaft, braking system and

flanges are assembled and fixed to a big
steel frame. It is easy to transport and install
for the customer.
5kw & 10kw rain cover
Easy to maintain
Finite Element Analysis of Major Parts
Generator testing
 Part two
Choice of installation site

A wind turbine converts wind energy into electricity,

therefore it shall be installed at sites with good wind resource.

Prior to choosing a site, you should determine the prevailing

local wind direction and wind speed distribution. The site
shall be selected based on the wind direction.
 Wind turbines shall be installed in open area, free from
influences of trees and buildings. Wind turbines shall not
be installed in downwind area close to trees, since
turbulence caused by trees will negatively influence the
wind turbine.

Wind
direction
 Wind turbines could not be installed
in downwind area of buildings or close to buildings.

Wind
direction
 Examples of inappropriate installation

Close to trees
Close to buildings and trees,
Buildings can influence a wind turbine’s performance positively,
enhancing the wind utilization ratio, if the layout of buildings can
collect wind.

A high wind speed

area is formed due
to the effect of
W
dir ind buildings.
ec
tio
n
 Roof-mounting wind turbines

Distribution of wind speed

A distinct line between wind speeds is

Wind
formed here, and the lower end of turbine
direction
blade shall be above the line for better
performance of the turbine.

A low speed area is formed

here because of obstruction
by the building.
Streamlines
 Roof top installation

l h
h1
d D

Wind
direction H

L
 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=20m, h1=1m, D=30m

l
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
d
1 4.2 4.8 5.4 6.0 6.6 7.2 7.8 8.2 8.4

5 5.0 5.6 6.2 7.0 7.8 8.6 9.4 10.2 10.9

10 6.4 7.0 7.6 8.2 9.0 9.7 10.4 11.0 11.6

15 7.0 7.6 8.2 8.5 9.2 9.8 10.5 11.1 11.6

 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=20m, h1=1.5m, D=30m

l
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
d
1 5.2 5.4 6.0 6.6 7.0 7.6 8.0 8.4 8.8

5 6.0 6.6 7.1 7.8 8.3 8.8 9.4 9.9 10.3

10 7.0 7.4 7.9 8.6 9.1 9.8 10.3 11.0 11.4

15 7.2 7.6 8.1 8.8 9.4 10.0 10.6 11.2 11.8

 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=30m, h1=1m, D=30m

l
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
d

1 4.2 4.6 5.1 5.6 6.0 6.4 6.6 7.0 7.3

5 5.3 5.6 6.2 6.8 7.3 7.7 8.2 8.5 8.8

10 6.2 6.4 7.0 7.6 8.2 8.6 9.2 9.6 10.0

15 6.4 6.6 7.2 7.8 8.5 9.1 9.6 10.0 10.6

 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=30m, h1=1m, D=30m (cont’ed)

l
20 22 24 26 28
d

1 7.5 7.8 8.0 8.2 8.4

5 9.2 9.5 9.7 10.0 10.2

10 10.5 10.8 11.1 11.4 11.8

15 10.9 11.2 11.7 12.1 12.4

 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=30m, h1=1.5m, D=30m

l
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
d

1 4.8 5.2 5.8 6.2 6.7 7.0 7.4 7.7 8.0

5 6.0 6.4 6.8 7.4 7.9 8.4 8.8 9.2 9.6

10 7.0 7.1 7.7 8.3 8.9 9.4 10.0 10.4 10.9

15 7.0 7.4 8.0 8.6 9.2 9.8 10.3 10.9 11.4

 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=30m, h1=1.5m, D=30m (cont’ed)

l
20 22 24 26 28
d

1 8.3 8.6 8.8 9.0 9.2

5 10.0 10.2 10.6 10.9 11.1

10 11.3 11.6 12.0 12.4 12.7

15 11.7 12.2 12.6 12.9 13.2

 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=30m, h1=1m, D=60m

l
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
d

1 4.9 5.2 5.7 6.2 6.7 7.2 7.6 8.0 8.4

10 6.2 6.6 7.2 7.8 8.4 8.9 9.4 9.9 10.4

20 7.0 7.2 7.7 8.4 8.9 9.6 10.0 10.6 11.1

30 7.0 7.4 7.8 8.5 9.0 9.7 10.2 10.8 11.2

 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=30m, h1=1m, D=60m (cont’ed)

l
20 22 24 26 28
d

1 8.7 9.1 9.4 9.7 10.0

10 10.9 11.2 11.7 12.1 12.4

20 11.6 12.2 12.6 13.0 13.5

30 11.8 12.2 12.6 13.0 13.5

 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=30m, h1=1.5m, D=60m

l
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
d

1 5.6 5.9 6.4 6.9 7.4 7.9 8.4 8.8 9.1

10 7.0 7.4 7.9 8.5 9.0 9.7 10.2 10.7 11.2

20 7.8 8.0 8.4 9.0 9.6 10.2 10.8 11.4 11.9

30 7.9 8.1 8.5 9.1 9.7 10.3 10.9 11.5 12.0

 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=30m, L=30m, h1=1.5m, D=60m (cont’ed)

l
20 22 24 26 28
d

1 9.6 9.9 10.2 10.6 10.9

10 11.6 12.1 12.6 12.9 13.2

20 12.4 12.9 13.4 13.9 14.3

30 12.5 13.0 13.5 13.9 14.3

If wind direction is not perpendicular to the building side, the wind turbine
installation location is different.

Wind speed
isoline
Possible
location for
wind turbines
Possible
location for
wind turbines
Possible
location for
wind turbines
 Tilt roof

Wind speed
separation line

Wind
direction
 d
h

风向
l
H

L
 Determination of turbine installation height h when
H=8m, L=10m, D=25m

l
d 5 4 3 2 1

1 1.1 1.8 2.4 3.0 3.5

5 1.2 2.0 2.6 3.2 3.8

10 1.4 2.1 2.8 3.5 4.2

 A wind turbine will influence the air flow around it. Therefore, when multiple
wind turbines are installed in one location, space among them shall be carefully
determined.

Wind
3D
direction

7H
Turbines are too close. One
will influence the other.
In addition, installation of wind turbines shall
avoid possible light pollution, i.e. avoid shadow
of the turning blades falls over the dwelling.
Part three

Maintaining
 When pitch system works

► The pitch system is a speed-regulator, not a brake.

► Only when wind speed exceeds the rated wind speed
will the pitch system start to limit the RPM and power.
 The automatic brake

Solenoid brake Hydraulic brake

► When the generator voltage reaches AC 280v, the brake will work to
shut down the mill. The brake will be released automatically after 3
hours.
 Connecting of solenoid brake
(for 1kw & 3kw turbines)
Generator Controller
connecting block connecting block

W2 is a common terminal; U2 is for the brake; V2 is for the pin lock.

 Inspect the brake connecting

◆ Measure the electric resistance with ohmmeter.

The resistance is small in W2/U2(around 30Ω)
and is bigger in W2/V2(around 130 Ω) for 3kw
◆ It is around 20Ω& 50Ωfor 1kw

◆ It is around 30Ω& 130Ωfor 3kw

 Check the connection of brake
(for 1kw & 3kw turbines)
► After connection of the solenoid brake, disconnect V2 prior to connection of “By pass”;
then connect “By pass” and check brake process; connect V2 ONLY after making sure
the brake process works correctly.
 On grid controller operating panel of 1 & 3kw

Generator input

Grid Indication Brake Indication Emergency brake

► Illumination of red LED indicates grid is connected.

► Illumination of green LED indicates there is output from generator
► Flash of yellow LED indicates the expanding brake is in operation of 190 seconds.
► Illumination of yellow LED indicates the pin lock is working (last for 3 hours, after 3 hours the brake
will be released automatically).
► The Emergency button is used for emergence braking. Push the Emergency button, the brake will be
applied, and push the Emergency button again after illumination of yellow LED, the brake will be
released.
► While the yellow LED flashing, push of the Emergency button is invalid.
 Braking process of solenoid brake
(for 1kw & 3kw turbines)

► Solenoid brake has two stages. The first is a drum brake and the
second is a pin lock.
► The drum brake is to stop the mill for short periods, while the pin
lock is to lock the mill for 3 hours.
► During the second stage, manual operation will override.
 Brake inspect
(for 1kw & 3kw turbines)

► Press the Emergency button, and the manual brake function will start. The mill
should be stopped within a few seconds or dozens of seconds. If not, please press
the Emergency brake again and measure the W2/U2 and W2/V2 voltage with a
voltage meter.
► The W2/U2 and W2/V2 voltage: DC 48v for 1kw turbines, DC 110 for 3kw
turbines. W2/U2 is connected to the brake. Its working time is 3 minutes. W2/V2
is connected to the pin lock. Its working time is 3 hours. Manual operation will
override automatic braking.
► The controller will check the RPM of mill. If it is very slow or stop for 180
second, the pin lock will start to lock the mill. If the RPM of mill is still high the
pin lock will not start.
► For off grid system, the W2/U2 voltage is voltage of the battery.
 Connecting of hydraulic brake
(for 5kw & 10kw turbines)
Generator Controller
connecting block connecting block

W2 is a common terminal; U2 is for applying of the brake; V2 is for releasing the brake.
 Inspect the brake connecting

◆ Measure the electric resistance with ohmmeter.

The resistance is small in W2/U2(a fewΩ) and is
bigger in W2/V2(around 30 Ω) for 5kw & 10kw
 On grid controller operation panel
(for 5 & 10kw turbines)

Generator input

Grid connected Brake direction

Emergency brake

► Illumination of red LED indicates grid is connected.

► Illumination of green LED indicate there is voltage from generator.
► Flash of yellow LED indicates the brake will be applied within 20 seconds.
► Illumination of yellow LED indicates the brake is applied (last for 3 hours).
 Brake process of Hydraulic brake
(for 5kw & 10kw turbines)

► Hydraulic brake is a one-stage brake. The brake locks the mill for
3 hours. After 3 hours, the brake will be released automatically.
► During the braking process, manual operation will override.
 Brake inspect
(for 5kw & 10kw turbines)

► Press the Emergency button, and the yellow LED will flash for 20 seconds. The
manual brake function will start. The mill should be stopped within a few
seconds. If not, please press the Emergency brake button again and measure the
W2/U2 voltage within 20 seconds.
► The W2/U2 voltage is DC 24. W2/U2 is increasing the oil press. Its working
time is 20 seconds. Press the Emergency button again after the brake working,
the W2/V2 has a 24v voltage in 1 minutes.
► W2/V2 is releasing the oil press. Its working time is 1 minute. Press the
Emergency button again, the braking process will be stopped. i.e. first press is to
start the brake and second press is to release the brake.
► The auto-brake will remain applied for 3 hours. But manual operation will override.
 How to check for leakage

► Disconnecting the generator, controller and inverter.

► Use the megameter in 1500v or 1000v position to measure the A to earth, B to
earth and C to earth of generator.
► Measure terminals of the controller to earth.
► Measure the inverter L to earth and N to earth.
► Multimeter is not suitable for measuring isolation.
 Changes of wind speed influence the power greatly

► The shaded area represents the electricity generated. It is smaller than the dotted
area.
 Formulas for calculating output

The simplified computational formula of turbine power at different wind speed is

P (w)=0.6125*S (turbine size)*k (turbine efficiency)*V3 (cube of wind speed)

The simplified computational formula of turbine power at average wind speed is

P (w)=0.6125*S (turbine size)*k (turbine efficiency)* V3 (average wind speed)

The simplified computational formula of annual energy output of turbine is

E (kwh)=P*8760/1000
 Average wind speed influences the output
If average wind speed is used to calculate the generating energy, the output may vary
greatly. It will be higher power at low wind speed and lower power at high wind
speed.
The premise is the efficiency of turbine is fixed. For example, SAWT’s 3kw turbine
has a swept area of 10.8sqm, rated wind speed is 12m/s and the efficiency is 26%,
Electricity produced at 4m/s is 0.6125*10.8(size)*0.26*4*4*4=110w
Electricity produced at 11m/s is 0.6125*10.8*0.26*11*11*11=2290w

If average wind speed is 4m/s, it can be 0m/s in 55% and 8.4m/s in 45%, so the
electricity produced is 0.6125*10.8*0.26*8.4*8.4*8.4*0.45=458w.
It is 4.6 times of 110w.
110w

If average wind speed is 11m/s, it can be 8m/s in 80% and 23m/s in 20%, so the
electricity produced is 0.6125*10.8*0.26*8*8*8*0.8+3600*0.2=880+720w=1600w.
It is 70% of 2290w.
 Electricity generated at different average wind speed
and will depend on by the wind condition of average
Average wind
speed (m/s
Annual
(m/s)) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
energy
Turbiene (KWH)
Model

50-200 150-678 360-1360 780-1763 1300-2211 2100-2518 3150-3680

1kw
150-600 450-2034 1080-4080 2340-5280 3900-6633 6300-7734 9450-11040
3kw
250-1000 750-3390 1800-6800 3900-8815 6500-11055 10500-12590 15750-18400
5kw
500-2000 1500-6780 3600-13600 7800-17600 13000-22110 21000-25180 31500-36800
10kw
 Measuring the voltage

► Measure generator AC voltage after the controller is disconnected.

► Measure controller output DC voltage after the inverter is disconnected.
► The ratio of AC/DC is 1.33 with load and 1.43 without load.