Wind turbine concept for educational purposes

Abstract

The environmental awareness of modern society is changing regard to the use of electrical sources. Change of climatic conditions, as a consequence of fossil fuel energy use, increases the need for renewable energy research. Consequently, a wind turbine will be installed on the premises of the University Department of Professional Studies at the University of Split, for educational purposes. Based on an annual assessment of energy production and consumption a wind turbine project is developed. This paper explains the main concept of wind turbine operation. The system is controlled manually or remotely by programmable logic controller (PLC) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), with the possibility to measure and monitor all relevant points in the system. The purpose of this system is to be used to perform laboratory exercises and to educate students of the Department. It also describes the possibility of integrating the system into an internal electric power system.