Electrical energy recovery and reuse in mobile working machines
Targets:
- electrical energy recovery in mobile working machines, to recover energy that would otherwise be lost
- electrical motion control at the same time with energy recovery
Electrical energy is regenerated from different functions of mobile working machines, where the energy would otherwise be lost in heat. In addition to the regeneration of electrical energy, the electric drive (incl. electric motor/generator and frequency converter) should be capable of motion control too.
Fig. Example case of potential energy recovery
Co-operation network
Large medium-speed electrical drives (a part of the Climbus Technology Programme)
The project aims at a significant increase in the efficiency of high-power electric motor drives and improved energy efficiency. In particular, energy efficiency can be improved by increasing the rotation speeds of large blowers and compressors. The research covers the key areas of electrical drive technology: electromechanics, dynamics, heat and mass transfer, insulation methods, power electronics concepts and magnetic bearing technology. This know-how is beneficial to the interests of the Finnish energy industry, in particular power electronics and electrical motor and drives industries.
Concentrated winding fractional slot permanent magnet machines
The ongoing research aims at determining the competitive range for fractional slot permanent magnet machines with a small number of slots per pole and per phase. So far, the studies have focused on low-speed (300–600 rpm) machines; in the future, research will be directed at higher-speed applications, with the target of increasing the torque production capability to the maximum. The motors have been calculated analytically and by applying the finite element method (FEM). A fractional slot permanent magnet machine is a viable solution for direct-drive, low-speed, high-torque applications.
Permanent magnet synchronous generators for wind power applications
The consistent, long-term research at the Laboratory of Electrical Drives Technology at the Department of Electrical Engineering has accumulated know-how for instance on permanent magnet synchronous generators for wind power applications.
- The Switch Electrical Machines (formerly Rotatek), a part of The Switch, produces individually tailored electrical drive solutions; for example, the company supplies electrical systems to 3 MW wind turbines in Norway. A 3 MW 16 rpm Scanwind turbine operating at Verdal
- An example of a small-power permanent magnet synchronous generator application:
