Grant: Engage Grants Program

SûGen Research is developing and modifying an innovative small vertical axis wind turbine that can sustain high wind speeds common in parts of Nova Scotia. Presently, such a wind turbine is installed in Northern Cape Breton on a unique test site where wind speed is often more than 25m/s. The wind turbine is 4 meters in diameter with an outside band of stationary blades which direct the wind into an inside rotating set of blades. This wind turbine never needs to brake due to excessive wind thereby allowing it to capture wind over a large range of wind speeds. The maximum power extraction and optimization from such a novel vertical axis wind turbine is the main objective of this research. It is planned to log power production data of this wind turbine for a period of time to determine its power curve. Based on its determined characteristics curve an algorithm will be developed to optimize the wind turbine output power. A power electronic controller will be designed and developed to always extract maximum power from the wind turbine. The designed controller will also be tested at the North Cape Breton site. This research will involve one graduate student working in field for four months in close collaboration with SûGen Research Inc. Such a field experience and close collaboration will greatly enrich the quality of HQP and help develop further collaboration between Memorial University of Newfoundland and SûGen Research Inc.