Design of gearless wind turbine

1. No gear box. 2. The use of a multipole generator (MP generator) and advanced power electronics. 3. Variable speed operation and stall regulation. The MultiPole generator Wind Energy Converter (MPWEC) will have the following main features. 1. Reduced requirements as to grid strength at connection point due to the use of an electronic power converter and consequently new opportunities to connect wind turbines to weak grids, and in this way increasing the potential sites for wind turbines at no cost. 2. Possibilities for using wind energy to improve local power quality due to the presence of the advanced electronic power converter (power factor #approx =# 1). 3. Reduced noise generation at low wind speeds due to variable speed operation, i.e. the tip speed is the 'noise driver' and tip speed will be reduced at lower wind speeds. This will also lead to a slight increase in power production at lower wind speeds, about 2-4% increase is expected. 4. Maintenance cost of gear box will be avoided. The total project is organized in three phases; a research and development design phase, a consequent implementation phase and a verification phase. This proposal (EFP-96) is only for the research and development and design phase. It is sub-divided into five work packages: 2.1.1. Discussion and decisions on the main features to be included in the design. 2.1.2. Design of control system, i.e. realizing the features to be included in the design. 2.1.3. Detailed design. 2.1.4. Extensive laboratory and factory testing of the multipole generator and the associated electronics. 2.1.5. Design and preparation of the foundation. Preparation of the grid connection and site