EC-201 | Wind Power Plant

It is used to study how kinetic wind energy is converted into electrical energy. The experimental plant consists of a wind tunnel and a control unit. The wind tunnel contains a wind power plant in laboratory-scale and an axial fan. A rotor and a generator are the core elements of a wind power plant. The control unit includes the control elements for the axial fan, the storage components for the electrical energy and the electrical consumers. The axial fan generates the air flow required to set the rotor of the wind power plant in rotational motion. A flow straightener ensures the flow is consistent and low in turbulence. A generator converts the rotor’s kinetic energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy is fed into a stand-alone system that is not connected to the mains grid. A charge controller in an accumulator provides intermediate storage of the electrical energy. The electrical energy can be used by means of an electrical load. There are two bulbs that can be used as consumers. Optionally, it is also possible to connect an external consumer (such as a heater). There is no provision to feed into a public power grid. The wind velocity is varied by changing the rotational speed of the fan. The following measurements are captured: wind velocity in front of and behind the rotor, speed of the rotor, voltage and current. The measurements are transmitted directly to a PC and analysed there using the software included.

Learning Objectives

• Conversion of kinetic wind energy into electrical energy
• Function and design of a stand-alone system with a wind power plant
• Determining the power coefficient as a function of tip speed ratio
• Energy balance in a wind power plant
• Determining the efficiency of a wind power plant

Main Components

1. Feed water tank
2. Fiberglass LPG Cylinder 10 kg
3. Gas-fire tube Boiler
4. Steam Separator

5. Twin Cylinder Steam Engine
6. Condenser

 

7. Condensate Collector

8. DC Generator

Software

Display parameters

• Temperatures
• Guage Pressures
• Pressure= Guage Pressure + Atm. Pressure
• Cooling water volume flow rate
• Mass flow rate of boiler fuel
• Mass flow rate of steam/condensate
• Engine speed
• Electrical Power

Following operation to be controlled from the main window

• Water pump
• Boiler ignition

Throttling Control Valve

• Auto (for load conditions)
• Manual
• Electric Load

• When user want to save the reading click the “Save Values” button, to view the saved reading go to data log window and now it can be printed, save as Pdf or export to excel.

Accessories

1. Engine oil for lubrication of steam engine with lubricating device
2. LPG filled fiberglass cylinder
3. Inlet and drain pipes for feed water tank and condenser
4. Condensate collector

Standards Compliance

• CE-approved safety features