MODELING AND AUTOMATION OF A AERODYNAMIC CHANNEL FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF VERTICAL WIND TURBINES USING A NEW FOUCAULT BRAKE LAYOUT
The experimental study in engineering allows validating models and analyzing complex phenomena. In this sense, the assembly of an experimental apparatus is essential and involves the application of various engineering techniques and a deep knowledge of what one wants to study experimentally. The use of aerodynamic channels in studies of vertical axis wind turbines allows the acquisition of turbine dynamics data capable of validating theoretical studies or even showing phenomena that are difficult to model.
The present work consists of controlling and automating an aerodynamic channel to carry out experimental tests in wind microturbines. For this, models of the dynamics of the turbines and of the wind generation system of the aerodynamic channel were built available at the Laboratory of Renewable Energies of the UFABC. These, when compiled, allowed the construction of a controller capable of operating turbines at different operating points stably. So far, as a result of channel automation and control, it has been possible to obtain results from the turbine start-up dynamics, model this phenomenon and validate it with the results presented in the literature.