TOW TANK TESTING AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A PERMANENT MAGNET GENERATOR BASED SMALL VERTICAL AXIS HYDROKINETIC TURBINE

Abstract

Vertical axis turbines using permanent magnet generators are being considered as options for use in hydrokinetic energy conversion. As a precursor to development of full-scale systems, scalemodel turbines need to be tested in controlled environments. In this article, the results of tow tank testing of a small vertical axis turbine employing a permanent magnet generator are presented. Effects of rotor submersion, ripple propagation, and start-up behaviour are presented along with relevant qualitative discussions. Results indicate an overall peak conversion efficiency of 22% for the tested system. General observations and directions for future work are summarized at the end of this paper.