Velocity Adjustable Wind Turbine Simulator based onActual Wind Generator for Laboratory Use

The objective of this research is (1) to design and construct the wind turbine simulator based on the adjustable actual wind speed. (2) To investigate the wind distribution, and (3) tobe applied for testing the power output of the micro-wind turbine in the laboratory. Design and CAD drawing was applied to construct the wind turbine simulator prototype.The 3 phase induction motor with axial fan was used for the wind-generating machine. The wind speed was controlled by frequency converter drive. The anemometer, tachometer, power meter and volt/amp meter was used for wind speed, rotational and electrical data measurement. The 100-watts micro-wind turbine was applied in this study. The results showed that the adjustable wind velocity of the wind turbine simulator was realized by using axial fan with a three phase induction motor driven by an inverter which produced various wind speed at the maximum of 9.33 m/s. The distribution of air flow always covered the cross section area of the fan blade. The air flow distribution was rather constant at all frequencies. The wind turbine simulator could be applied to test the micro-wind turbine. The generated output power graph obtained from the wind turbine simulator resembled with those of the power curve of the wind turbine’s manufacturer. The open-Loop adjustable speed wind turbine simulator has a great benefit for thearchitecture and engineering laboratory use.