Performance Evaluation Of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) On Tidal Power Generation Optimization

Abstract

In a tidal current energy generation system, optimization of power generation can be done through turbine design, system design, and control of mechanical transmission from the turbine to the generator, as well as from the aspect of electronic generator output control. This research aims to analyze the performance of the PMSG generator from a prototype of the tidal current energy power plant. Turbine rotation is simulated using an ac motor equipped with an ac drive that supports separate speed and torque control. The hydraulic transmission system consists of a pump and a hydraulic motor that transfers the rotation of the turbine to the generator, where the power output is observed with variations in turbine speed and torque. The results indicate that the transmission system has worked well in transmitting the turbine’s mechanical power and increasing the rotational speed. The decrease in speed with increasing load and low average efficiency (less than 20%) occurs, mainly due to the characteristics of the generator being tested. The generator has a large rated torque requirement of 32 Nm, which is much higher than the main drive capacity of the turbine simulator. The design of a tidal energy conversion system, in which the tidal current speed fluctuates, requires careful selection of the generator, not only from the aspect of power capacity and rated rotational speed, but also from the initial torque value and required rated torque.