Abstract-This paper deals with the rough design of a Double-Stator Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machine (DSAFPM) for a rim-driven Marine Current Turbine (MCT). The DSAFPM machine will be compared to a previously developed and realized Radial Flux Permanent Magnet Machine (RFPM); given the same rim-driven MCT specifications. For that purpose, a first-order electromagnetic design model and a thermal one are developed and used to compare active part mass, cost, and thermal behavior of the two machines.The obtained results show that such a structure of poly-air gap axial flux machine can be more interesting in terms of compactness and thermal behavior for rim-driven marine current turbines.Index Terms-Marine current turbine, rim-driven concept, permanent magnet machine, axial flux machine, electromagnetic model, thermal model.

International audienceThe aim of the paper is to compare the design of direct-drive permanent-magnet (PM) generators associated with horizontal axis tidal turbines. The turbine/generator couplings are examined. These turbine/generator couplings consist of a POD and Rim-driven assembly. In a Rim-Driven association the electrical generator active parts are inserted in a duct surrounding the blades. For POD generator insertion, the electrical machine is placed in a nacelle located on the turbine axis. To achieve the generators sizing, a design rated point related to an industrial MCT is defined. The used design models include an electromagnetic model which is linked to a thermal model in an optimization procedure that goals to minimize the active parts cost. Firstly, a single rotor/single stator PM axial flux generator and a radial flux PM generator are designed for a rim-driven MCT specification. For these generators sizing, a comparison of the machines active parts and the machines geometrical dimensions are carried out. Secondly, radial flux PM generators are designed for Rim-Driven and POD assembly and a comparison is performed for this study case. Finally, the influence of the POD diameter on the generator electromagnetic design is studied. It shows that the active parts costs are minimized, when the generator diameter is around 1/3 of the turbine diameter for the considered specifications. These performed comparisons between the considered study cases aims to help designers in their technologies choices

This paper deals with the systemic design of permanent magnet (PM) generator associated with fixed-pitch turbine for tidal energy generation. The main problem with marine current turbines systems are the maintenance requirements of the drive-train. It is known that the blade pitch system increases the complexity, cost, and the maintenance requirements of the drive-train. In offshore energy generation, the maintenance should be minimized as much as possible. For that purpose direct-drive permanent-magnet machines associated with fixed-pitch marine turbines can be an attractive solution. The main challenge with fixed-pitch blades is to ensure the power limitation of the turbine at high speed without using variable pitch system. As solution, we propose a systemic design approach of the generator that takes into account the power limitation requirement. In addition, this methodology takes into account the tidal site energy potential, the turbine characteristic, the control strategy, the generator specifications and the power converter constraints. The obtained results show the feasibility of our approach to satisfy the control strategy requirements.

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