Navy Applications Experience with Small Wind Power Systems
Abstract
This report describes the experience gained and lesson learned from the ongoing field evaluations of seven small, 2-to 20-kW wind energy conversion systems (WECS) at Navy installations located in the Southern California desert, on San Nicolas Island, in California, and in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The field tests show that the WECS's bearings and yaw slip-rings are prone to failure. The failures were attributed to the corrosive environment and poor design practices. Based upon the field tests, it is concluded that a reliable WECS must use a permanent magnet alternator without a gearbox and yaw slip-rings that are driven by a fixed pitch wind turbine rotor. The present state-of-the-art in small WECS technology, including environmental concerns, is reviewed. Also presented is how the technology is advancing to improve reliability and availability for effectively using wind power at Navy bases. The field evaluations are continuing on the small WECS in order to develop operation, maintenance, and reliability data. Keywords: Wind power, Wind energy conversion systems, Wind energy power conditioning, Inverters, Electromagnetic interference, and Renewable energy sources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA158561
Entities
People
- D. Pal
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center