Abstract-In this paper, a simple control strategy for an optimal extraction of output power from grid connected variable speed wind energy conversion system(VSWECS) with reduced switch count power converters is presented. In order to improve the overall efficiency and to reduce the cost, B-4 PWM converters are used. The system consists of a variable speed wind turbine coupled to a permanent magnet synchronous generator(PMSG) through a gear box, two PWM B4-power converters. Output power from PMSG is first converted into dc and then it is fed to the grid. Both the power conversions are performed at unity power factor and the de link voltage is maintained constant. The (MPF'T) extracts optimum power from the wind turbine from cut-in to rated wind velocity by sensing only the turbine output power. The complete system has been simulated for various wind velocities. The control algorithm is implemented on TMS320F243 DSP and the simulated results are validated by experimental results.

In India, the demand for water is continuously increasing due to the growing population. Approximately 16.5% of all country’s electricity used to pump this water is from fossil fuels leading to increased pump Life Cycle Cost (LCC) and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. With the recent advancement in power electronics and drives, renewables like solar photovoltaic and wind energy are becoming readily available for water pumping applications resulting in the reduction of GHG emissions. Recently, research towards AC motor based Water Pumping Systems (WPS) has received a great emphasis owing to its numerous merits. Further, considering the tremendous acceptance of renewable sources, especially solar and wind, this paper provides a detailed review of single-stage and multi-stage WPS consisting of renewable source powered AC motors. The critical review is performed based on the following figure of merits, including the type of motor, power electronics interface and associated control strategies. Also, to add to the reliability of solar PV WPS, hybrid Wind-PV WPS will be discussed in detail. Readers will be presented with the state-of-the-art technology and research directions in Renewable Energy-based WPS (REWPS) to improve the overall system efficiency and hence reduce the payback period.

The design and testing of a 400 mm diameter contra-rotating fan unit was undertaken to study the flow behavior through the contra-rotating fans, and to find ways and means of improving their design and performance. The performance characteristics of the two-fan unit have shown that large overall stall margins can be achieved. Also, the effect of axial gaps showed that at the design speed combination best performance was observed at an axial gap of 50% of the 1st Fan chord. Studies on the 2nd fan exit flow field, performance characteristics of individual fans and casing boundary layer development have been made. Significant performance enhancement is observed with serration on 2nd fan rotor blade surface. When casing boundary layer suction is employed in between the two blades, the 2nd fan exit flow shows better uniformity and increased total pressure at all radii. However, to obtain a large operating range, careful optimization of the 2nd rotor blade design would be required, taking into account peculiarities shown by the present study in variation of deviation and exit flow angles of the individual fans, and casing boundary layer development with increased axial pressure gradient.

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