Electric Design of Wind-Electric Water Pumping Systems

Abstract

Wind turbine technology has been used to pump water since ancient history. Direct mechanically coupled wind turbines are the most common method for pumping water to croplands and livestock. Many more recent wind turbines are electrically coupled, with the water pump connected to the wind turbine via a motor-generator connection. With electrical coupling, the distance and location of the water pump is independent of the location of the wind turbine. Therefore, the wind turbine can be located at an optimal wind energy site while the water pump is close to the water well or water tank. This paper analyzes a water-pumping system consisting of a wind turbine, a permanent magnet synchronous generator, an induction motor, and a centrifugal-type water pump.