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impaginato corretto fullone_Layout 1 13/10/15 12.09 Pagina 69 Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport Patent Title Title Method and related system for the conversion of Method and related system for the conversion of mechanical energy, coming from a turbine- mechanical energy, coming from a turbine generator set, to electrical energy. generator set, to electrical energy. Ref. CNR 10253 Ref. CNR 10253 Assignee(s): CNR CNR Institute: ISSIA Main Inventor: Gianpaolo Vitale Countries: IT, PCT Priority date: 08/05/2013 Abstract Abstract The present invention refers to a Micro Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS). It allows energy The present invention refers to a Micro Wind Energy Conversion System ( WECS). It allows energy coming from a synchronous generator, supplied by a vertical-axis Darrieus wind turbine, to be injected coming from a synchronous generator, supplied by a vertical axis Darrieus wind turbine, to be injected into the national single-phase low-voltage grid. Among those known from the literature, the simplest into the national single phase low voltage grid. Among those known from the literature, the simplest architecture has been chosen for the power stage, which implies the best compromise between cost and architecture has been chosen for the power stage, which implies the best compromise between cost and performance. As the wind speed varies and transfers power to the turbine, the system is able to performance. As the wind speed varies and transfers power to the turbine, the system is able to compute and to reach the angular speed that allows to extract the maximum available power (MPPT, compute and to reach the angular speed that allows to extract the maximum available power (MPPT, maximum power point tracking). The system has been conceived for performing such task without using maximum power point tracking). The system has been conceived for performing such task without using mechanical sensors for the measurement of wind speed and angular speed. This implies an increased mechanical sensors for the measurement of wind speed and angular speed. This implies an increased reliability and a lower cost. reliability and a lower cost. Background Background The device belongs to the class of Micro Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS), to be connected to the The device belongs to the class of Micro Wind Energy Conversion System ( WECS), to be connected to the national single-phase low-voltage grid. It covers a power range from 1 kW to 10 kW. Currently, few devices national single phase low voltage grid. It covers a power range from 1 kW to 10 kW. Currently, few devices on the market belong to this class and range. Anyway, those devices are derived from systems, whose on the market belong to this class and range. Anyway, those devices are derived from systems, whose hardware architecture and control system have been devised for the Photovoltaic segment and, thus, their hardware architecture and control system have been devised for the Photovoltaic segment and, thus, their performance is quite poor. performance is quite poor. Technology Technology The system tracks the maximum power exploiting a neural network, which operates as a virtual The system tracks the maximum power exploiting a neural network, which operates as a virtual anemometer, and using an electronic circuit that acts as a virtual encoder. Therefore, mechanical sensors anemometer, and using an electronic circuit that acts as a virtual encoder. Therefore, mechanical sensors are not needed, enabling to achieve a higher reliability and a lower cost. The control logic has been are not needed, enabling to achieve a higher reliability and a lower cost. The control logic has been implemented on a FPGA platorm. This architecture implies a higher working frequency and the true parallel implemented on a FPGA platform. This architecture implies a higher working frequency and the true execution of several tasks. parallel execution of several tasks. Advantages and Applicatons Advantages and Applications The invention solves the problem of dead times in the MPPT transients within WECS employing permanent The invention solves the problem of dead times in the MPPT transients within WECS employing permanent magnet synchronous machines, without using mechanical sensors (encoder/anemometer). Therefore, the magnet synchronous machines, without using mechanical sensors (encoder/anemometer). Therefore, the yielded energy is higher, compared to a traditional system, especially at low wind speed, and an increase of yielded energy is higher, compared to a traditional system, especially at low wind speed, and an increase of reliability and robustness is obtained. reliability and robustness is obtained. Development stage Development stage The invention has already been experimentally tested, by building a prototype at the laboratory of CNR The invention has already been experimentally tested, by building a prototype at the laboratory of CNR ISSIA - UOS of Palermo. In particular, the wind turbine has been emulated starting from its torque-speed ISSIA UOS of Palermo. In particular, the wind turbine has been emulated starting from its torque speed characteristic, and the system has been successfully connected to the grid. Recently, a technology transfer 69 characteristic, and the system has been successfully connected to the grid. Recently, a technology transfer agreement was signed with a Sicilian consortium. agreement was signed with a Sicilian consortium.