EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF VARIABLE FREQUENCY INDUCTION GENERATOR FOR SMALL SCALE WIND POWER DEVELOPMENT

(A CASE STUDY OF KUMBOTSO VILLAGE, KANO.)

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Author

Presented To

Department of Engineering

ABSTRACT
This study investigated the wind energy potential for wind turbine development in Kumbotso village in Kano State, (Latitude 11.880 and Longitude 8.50).Ten (10) years average wind velocity data as recorded by National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) USA, surface Meteorology and Solar Energy at 50m height and five (5) years average wind velocity data from Nigeria Meteorological Institute, Aminu Kano International Airport (NIMET) at 10m height were collected. The NASA hourly wind velocity data was preferred and used because it gives a thorough description of the energy extracted from the wind compared to the wind velocity values provided by NIMET that are spanned over large intervals of speed. The NASA hourly wind velocity was subjected to two parameters Rayleigh function analysis to predict the wind energy output of the wind power system in the area with a view to convert a squirrel cage induction motor to a generator for wind turbine for domestic application in the village. The monthly mean wind speed observed is between 3.07 m/s – 4.74 m/s having the highest monthly mean wind speed in the month of March and April and yearly average wind speed of 4.0 m/s. The conversion design was carried out and a minimum value of 14μF capacitor was calculated for the reactive power for an old 800W, 940rpm three-phase induction generator and three different types of capacitor arrangement/connection (Delta, Star and Parallel) were considered to achieve maximum power output. A voltage range of 150 Volts to 306 Volts were achieved with the capacitor values of 16μF, 24μF, 35μF and 50μF for the three types of circuit connection at the speed of 956, 706, 512 and 500 rpm. The power output from each arrangement/connection was compared and was observed that the Delta connection/arrangement gave a better voltage output.