In this paper, we study a wind energy conversion system designed for domestic use in urban or agricultural areas. We first present the turbine, which was specifically designed to be installed on the buildings that it supplies. Based on turbine characteristics, we perform analytical sizing of a Permanent Magnet Vernier Machine (PMVM), which will be used as a generator in our energy conversion system. We show the influence of this generator on system operation by studying its association with a PWM rectifier and with a diode bridge rectifier. We then seek to improve generator design so that the turbine operates closely to maximum power points, while using a simple and robust energy conversion system. We use simulation to show the improvements achieved by taking into account the entire energy conversion system during machine design.

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This paper describes the simulation and testing of a low power wind system including a vernier reluctance magnet machine (VRMM), used as a direct-driven generator. The aim is to propose the design and control of the electrical part of a domestic wind power installation. We want in particular investigate the benefits and limitations due to the use of the VRMM in this system. This characteristic has led the Region to support projects concerning wind energy, notably for domestic installations of low power range (about 10 kW). The LEM tries therefore to bring improvements in this type of wind energy conversion chains, including horizontal or vertical axis turbines. Our work focuses especially on the generator and its association with AC/DC converters.We first present the structure and working equations of the VRMM and the AC/DC converters associated with it. Equations used to model VRMM and PWM rectifier in a d,q rotating frame are then detailed. A Simulink model of the system including the wind turbine is proposed. We show simulation results : we compare two methods used to drive the VRMM in order to reach the maximum power point of the turbine.