Platform 2: Renewable Enery

It is our ultimate goal at the University of Ottawa to build a reliable medium size (50-100 kW) wind turbine system based on solid concepts and design, computer simulation, experimental and field tests. Basing on the general dual-rotor concepts, our electrical and mechanical student developed two projects that won two top awards in 2010: the people’s choice award for Technology Venture Challenge: http://techvc.org ; and the best Ontario Power Authority (OPA) energy conservation projec t. Basing on the proven concepts, we are turning this project into a research and development platform that focuses on optimization of performance.

Project 1: Contra-rotating Generator

For this project , we intend to partner with TRIAS Innovation to develop a contra-rotating generator (induction and permanent magnet) for wind turbine applications basing on their existing model of single-rotor induction generator (TRIAS Generator). Based on the proposed design, the radially interacting armature windings and stator are carried on direct drive, contra-rotating rotors, resulting in a high torque density and efficiency. This design may provide improved physical and mechanical characteristics such as compactness, low starting torque, elimination of gearboxes, low maintenance, low noise and vibration, and the potential for modular construction. The design brief requires a 50-100 kW continuous rated prototype generator, with a relative speed at the air-gap of 500 rpm. It is anticipated that the generator will find application in a wide range of wind turbine designs suited to the urban environment as there is growing interest in providing quiet, low cost, and clean electricity.