ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMICS OF A

WIND-TURBINE WATER-PUMPING SYSTEM

E. Muljadi and G. Nix J.T. Bialasiewicz

National Wind Technology Center Department of Electrical Engineering
National Renewable Energy Laboratory University of Colorado at Denver
1617 Cole Boulevard Campus Box 110, P.O.Box 173364
Golden, CO 80401 Denver, CO 80217-3364

ABSTRACT the installation of a capacitor at the induction motor

We analyzed a wind-turbine water-pumping system, terminals is presented in [l].We give only a summary of
which consists of a wind turbine with a permanent magnet the system’ssteady-state analysis; other tests and analyses
generator electrically coupled with a water pump via a have been conducted on small wind-electric water-
motor-generator conlipration. Beginning with a short pumping systems and are reported in [2,3].
summary of the system’s steady-state analysis, we will
Most investigations of water-pumping applications of
show how the success of the start-up process and how the wind turbines have emphasized the energy collected [4-
system’s performance depends on the proper choice of 71. This paper concentrates on the dynamics analysis of
the water-pumping system from application and
water pump characteristics. We studied the dependence of
the water pump start-up process on the kinetic energy engineering perspectives.
stored in the wind turbine rotor. In this analysis, we will We support our analysis by the simulation results
also discuss the cut-in and cut-off process in the wind-
obtained for a water-pumping system, which consists of
the EXCEL wind turbine system and the water pump
Nbirie water-pumping system.
We support our analysis with the simulation results driven by the Franklin induction motor. The simulations
are performed using the National Wind Technology’s
obtained for a water-pumping system, which consists of a
RPM-Sim simulator [8,91.
Bergey Windpower Company, Inc. (BWC), EXCEL wind
turbine system and a water pump driven by the Franklin
7.5 horsepower (hp) induction motor (Model 234318).
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
The simulations were performed using the RPM-Sim A block diagram of the water-pumping system that was
simulator (Renewable-energy Power-system Modular analyzed is shown in Figure 1. The wind turbine’s PMSG
Simulator), which was developed at the National is electrically coupled to the induction motor/water pump
Renewable Energy Laboratory’s National Wind assembly. The synchronous generator operates at a
Technology Center. variable frequency, which is directly proportional to the
rotor speed of the wind turbine. Due to the different
INTRODUCTION number of poles of the synchronous generator and the
induction motor, there is an “electrical gearbox” involved.
Since: ancient history, wind turbine technology has been
Therefore, the speed of the induction motorhater pump
used to pump water. Direct, mechanically coupled wind
assembly depends on the “gear ratio,” the output
turbines are the most common method for pumping water
fiquency of the PMSG, and the slip of the induction
to farm croplands and livestock. More recent wind
turbines are electrically coupled, with the water pump motor. The water pump is a centrifugal pump with the
output torque proportional to the square of its rotor speed.
connected to the wind turbine via a motor-generator
connection. With electrical coupling, the location of the
water pump can be selected independent of the location of
the wind turbine; therefore, the wind turbine can be
located at the optimal wind energy site while the water
pump can be positioned close to the water well or water
tank.
This paper analyzes a water-pumping system consisting
of a wind W i n e , a permanent magnet synchronous
generator (PMSG),an induction motor, and a centrifugal-
type water pump. A steady-state analysis of such a system
and a study of the improvement of its performance due to

0-7803-6420-11001$10.00(c) 2000 IEEE 2506

 STEADY-STATE ANALYSIS
The system consists of three subsystems: a wind turbine
generator, an induction motor, and a water pump.
The following three subsections clarify the relationship
between the energy converters represented by these
subsystems.
The power flow associated with these subsystems is
shown in Figure 2. In this figure, the difference between
the power generated by the wind and the power consumed
by the water pump is accounted for in the losses (electrical
and mechanical) between the wind W i n e and the water
Pump.
The torque generated by the turbine:
T=-P
u s
where:
T = mechanical torque at the turbine side
P = output power of the W i n e
a = rotor speed of the wind turbine.
A typical C,, curve is shown in Figure 3. This
characteristic defines C, as a function of the tip-speed
ratio (TSR) given by the following relation:

n)
Pinput
Poutput
(water)
TSR =-Q4R
V (3)

where R is the radius of the wind turbine rotor. A typical

M y of torque-speed characteristics of the wind turbine
is illustrated in Figure 4 for different wind speeds.

Wind Turbine Generator

The power generated by the wind turbine:

P = 0.5a4cPv3 Turbine rpm

where: Figure 4. Torque developed at different wind speeds
p = densityofair
A = sweptareaoftheblade
C, = performance coefficient Ideally, the wind turbine would be operated at the
V = windspeed. maximum power coefficient at all times, regardless of the
wind speed (this would correspond to the maximum points
Cp vs TSR of the characteristics in Figure 4).
: - ' In an interconnected system, the parameters of
individual components (i.e., the synchronous generator,
the induction motor, and the water pump) affect the
performance of the entire system.
For maximum power transfer, the load presented to the
wind turbine should match the torque characteristics of
the wind turbine. Thus, in an ideal case, the torque-speed
characteristic of the water pump will intersect the
charaaristics in Figure 4 slightly below the maximum
torque points. The sum of the mechanical and electrical
losses in the individual elements accounts for the
difference between the power generated and the power
1
used.
According to Figure 2, the power required from the wind
turbine is the water pump power plus the power losses in
Figure 3. A typical C, versus tip-speed ratio curve
the induction motor and synchronous generator. Thus, we

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should choose a water pump with characteristics suitable
to the wind turbine that drives the system.
Tlhe circuit shown in Figure 5 can represent the
synchronous generator. To simplify the analysis, we
T Torque

assurne stator resistance to be negligible. In a permanent

magnet surfacemounted generator, it is " m o n to
assurne that Xd = X, =X,.
Thle torque:

0 90 Power Angle

Figure 6. Torque characteristics of the PMSG

where:
E, = the generated electromotive force of the generator
x,= the synchronous generator reactance
L, = the synchronous generator inductance
v , = terminal voltage
P = the number of poles
6 = the power angle
a = angular fresuency in radians per second
4 = magnetic flux
k, = generator torque constant.

Load
Figure 7. Phasor diagram of the
synchronous generator

J LS Is
i----c1- The three-phase output power of the PMSG can be written
as follows:
Load

b) a t a variable frequency

1;"igUre5. Synchronous generator connected to a load

Since the flux is constant in a PMSG, the peak torque

is proportional to the volts per hertz (V/Hz), or VJo,,
across the terminal output and the power angle. The
torque charackristics can be drawn as in Figure 6, which
shows how the torque characteristic can be improved by
keeping the V/Hz at terminal voltage high.
From the equivalent circuit of a PMSG (shown in
Figue S), a phasor diagram describing the voltage and
current can be illustrated as shown in Figure 7. For a
constant amplitude of current, the phasor diagram is
shown for inductive (lagging) and capacitive (leading)
load. The power factor and the size of the load c o ~ e c t e d
to the generator determine the voltage across the output
ternlinals (Vs). It can be seen that at the same amplitude
of current, the power factor of the load determines the size
of the terminal voltage of the synchronous generator.
where mechanical angular velocity [ U , = we l ( p / 2) ]
and the generator power is constant [ k , = k, l ( p / 2) 1.
If V. / 4 is constant, the torque of the synchronous
generator is constant (at a particular 9, and the power of
a PMSG is proportional to the output frequency of the
generator.
Induction Motor
The equivalent circuit of an induction motor connected to
a synchronous generator is shown in FigureS(a); the
circuit is simplified for variable speed operation in
Figure8@). It is apparent from this figure that the slip
frequency (s4) and the air gap flux (E,/o.) applied to the

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00 (c) 2000 IEEE 2508

 Rr'/S
a> nt a SIII~IR
frequency
I
I b) nt a vorrable Froquenty
Figure 8. Equivalent circuit of induction motor
connected to PMSG
induction motor determine the torque at any frequency.
The slip frequency, at which the peak torque occuffed, can
be computed from the parameters of the induction motor
and the synchronous generator.
The slip frequency can be written as:
Thus, the torque- characteristic of the induction
motor is affected by the parameter (L,)of the synchronous
generator. For the same frequency, the torque-speed
characteristic will be represented by two different curves.
A larger L, corresponds to a smaller slip ftequency but a
lower peak torque. Figure 9 illustrates the &ect of L, on
the torque-speed characteristics of the system.
Steady-state induction motor characteristics can be
determined by looking at the equivalent circuit of an
induction motor. Figure 10 depicts the Eamily of curves of
torque-speed characteristics for an induction motor
connected to a variable frwluency source where the
T Torque
T for Ls low
1
T f o r Ls high
Speed
Figure 9. Effect of L,on torquespeed
characteristics
0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00 (c) 2000 IEEE
X
Induction Motor rpm
Figure 10. A set of torquespeed characteristics
for different frequencies
voltage is varied at constant V h .The water pump torque
characteristic is also shown.
At high fkquency, the effect of the stator resistance on
air gap flux (EJcu,) is not very significant and the term
R,la can be neglected. At low fkquency, the term R,la
becoma more pronounced and the torque-speed
characteristic shrinks. In variable speed drives, the power
converter driving the induction motor has a voltage boost
to increase the V,/cu,at a lower frequency. Thus, the
voltage drop across Rs can be compensated with the
voltage boost to maintain constant air gap flux.
Centryngal Pump
The water pump selected for this study is a centrifugal
type,where the output power is proportional to the cube of
its rotor speed. The output power of the water pump can
be written as:
3
P = Kwwm (7)
where:
K, = constant of the water pump in watts/
(mech. radians/~econd)~
= rotor speed of the water pump (in mech.
radiandsecond)
The quired drive torque can be written as:
T = K,u:.
Assuming the operating slip is small, the output of the
water pump varies as the frequency supply of the electric
motor that drives the pump is varied. Drawing the torque-
speed characteristic of the water pump and the induction
motor illustrates the operating condition of the system.In
Figure 10, the variation in frequency due to the variation
in wind speed is shown with the corresponding curves of
torque-speed characteristics of the induction motor. As the
wind speed increases, so does the frequency of the
generator. The load torque of the water pump increases
with frequency. The motor has to catry higher load as the
2509
frequency goes higher and, as a consequence, the motor that the wind turbine generator is connected to the
slip also increases. The stator current varies with the slip induction motodwater pump assembly through an
and when it exceeds its rated value, the winding electrical gearbox. The gear ratio is:
temperature may grow above its limit. Therefore, the
operating frecluency of the motor should be limited to number of WP/induction motor poles
avoid an overload operation. Figure 10 indicates that there N= (9)
number of WT/syncbrunous generator poles
is an ypper limit, where the motor torque can no longer
It is used in the same manner as we use turn ratio in
carry tlie water pump torque ( m e fo and f;).Note that
electrical transformer analysis with the symbol (")
the magnitude of the m e decreases as the fkquency
indicating the referred value. The wind-turbine water-
decreases. As already explained above, this is due to the
pumping system can be analyzed from the turbine side or
effect of voltage drop across stator resistance (in the
from the water pump side. The latter representation
generator and in the motor) at low frequencies.
(shown in Figure 12) will be used in our analysis.
Suppose that the synchronous generator initially operates
In this case, the wind turbine inertia, the wind turbine
at frequency&. This operating condition corresponds to
torque, and the wind turbine rotational speed are
the operating point at which the induction motor torque
expressed as referred values with respect to the water
equals the load torque, T- (i.e., to the intersection point
pump side. For example, we have:
of the two characteristics). This intersection point (or
operating point) moves up as the synchronous generator
fiequency increases. During this process, the induction
motor speed increases.
The accelerating torque is the difference between the
load pump torque and the induction motor torque. When
the frequency reachesf;, the torque-speed characteristic of
the induction motor translates to curvef;. The load torque
(water pump) becomes larger than the induction motor
n, Electrical
Water Pump

torque as the motor speed increases. If the frequency Gearbox

increases fromf; tofb the motor torque can no longer
support the load torque and the water pump starts to
decelerate to reach the operating point (at the intersection
of the cvrvefo and the pump load torque characteristic). t U
The system operates at the high slip region of curvefo.
This indicates that a lot of loss is occurring in the
winding. It is important to keep operation at high slip for
It, Wind Turbine

as short a duration as possible to avoid overheating the

winding of the generator and motor. Operating at high Figure 11. Wind-turbine water-pumping system
temperatures will lead to failure of the winding insulation.
The stator current can be used to monitor the operating ..--I
condition of the system; when the slip increases, the stator I
I
I
I
I 1
current also increases. The motor should be disconnected I
1
1
8 Water Pump (WP)
when the stator current goes above the limit. 1
I
1
1

-ip=5r
I-'"-?
I

START-UP DYNAMICS OF THE

WATER-PUMPING SYSTEM
I
The starting torque-speed characteristic of the water pump
is not the same as the normal running characteristic
(because of the static friction torque, the start-up torque II

required may be much higher than the normal operation I

I
I
torque load at the rated speed). This may result in a -#
I

stalled turbine. However, the problem can be solved I

I
I
I
another way-by using the clutch to connect the pump
when the induction motor reaches the revolutions per
1 I Referred to WP side
L,"1
minute (rpm) at which the driving torque, developed
together with the kinetic energy of the wind turbine, Wind Turbine
results in a successful start-up of the pump.
To analyze the start-up process, we have to consider
F'igure 12. Water pump side representation
the dynamics of the wind-turbine water-pumping system of the pumping system
presented schematidy in Figure 11. This figure shows

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00(c) 2000 IEEE 2510

 J;fT = N 2 J m
Turbine Speed
T A =NT, Referredto the Motor
Side

The turbine inertia consists of the inertia of the blades,

the generator, and other rotating parts integrated inside
the wind turbine. The inertia of the motor, the inertia of
the water pump, and the inertia of the column of water
affect the water pump dynamics. For example, a deeper
well contributes to a higher pump load and to the inertia
at the water pump side. Consider Figure 13 and assume
that the wind turbine operates at a constant wind speed
represented by point B 1 on its torque-speed characteristic
referred to the water pump side. Note that the W i n e ' s
torque, speed, and inertia are referred to the water pump
side.
Operation at this point without the water pump load
corresponds to a certain constant operating frequency of
the synchronous generator. When the wind turbine torque
t- Figure 14. Illustration of the induction motor
start-up process in time
When the motor speed reaches A2, the generator rpm
reaches point B1, the induction motor is turned on and (referred to the motor side) and the motor rpm are about
starts to drive the water pump. The turbine decreases its the same (the slip is responsible for the small difference).
speed from point B1 to point B2.In this process, there is a The described process is represented in time in Figure 14.
transfer of energy stored as kinetic energy in the wind It can be seen fiom Figure 13 that this cannot be a
turbine inertia to the energy needed in the start-up stable operating point. Namely, note that the torque of the
process. The wind W i n e speed reduction depends on the wind turbine (82) is higher than the torque of the motor
kinetic energy ratio between the turbine and the water (M),which in turn equals the torque of the water pump.
pump and also on the contribution of the wind power to This is shown in Figure 15, in which the torque load of
accelerating the wind turbine. the water pump is superimposed on the characteristics
Figure 13 also shows the induction motor from Figure 13. The mentioned torque difference
characteristic corresponding to the operating frequency of (represented by points B2 and A2) will result in an
the genemor for the given wind speed. Let us assume that increase in rpm.As the generator rpm increases, so does
the inertia of the wind turbine is large enough so that the the frequency. In Figure 15, the original operating
rotational kinetic energy, stored in the wind turbine, is ftequency of the generator is denoted by&. As a result of
large enough to keep the generator speed (frequency) the torque difference, the generator speed (or frequency)
constant. Once the motor is connected to the generator, increases and finally reaches the value of 5, at wluch the
the motor speed increases from point A1 to point A2.

r
q
U
ZM

175-
B2 B1

:1
17.5

151)

125

'p,
25

I
I
16u) 1800

Induction Motor RPM Induction Motor RPM

Figure 13. Wind turbine'and induction motor Figure 15. Complete illustration of the start-up process
characteristics illustrating the start-up process showing the point A3 of stable operation

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00(c) 2000 IEEE 2511

 JWT“= Blades
+generator inertia Jw Motor
1 1
+water pump
+water
Energy flow
Figure 16. The elements of mechanical system participating
in the kinetic energy exchange at the start-up process
torque-speed characteristics of the water pump, the wind
turbine, and the induction motor intersect at one point
(denoted by A3). This is a point of stable operation.
The start-up process can also be analyzed
approximately using the energy conservation principle.
The elements of the mechanical system participating in
the energy exchange and contributing to the kinetic
energv balance are shown in Figure 16.
As before, the wind turbine speed and moment of
inertia are referred to water pump side of the electrical
gearbox. Suppose the wind turbine operates at 680 rpm at
a constant wind speed as depicted by the operating point
B1. In this state, the start-up process begins or the motor
coupled with the water pump is c o ~ e ~ t to
e dthe generator
and its rpm increases from 0 to about 580 rpm. This is the
speed corresponding to point B2 on the torque
characteristic of the wind turbine generator and to the
point. A2 on torque characteristics of both the induction
motor and the water pump. For simplicity, assume that the
power from the wind is completely used to cover the water
pumlp load and the losses or assume that no wind power is
used to accelerate the wind turbine. Then, the equation of
kinetic energy transfer, which represents the conservation
of the angular momentum, can be written as follows:
in which J- denotes, as defined in Figure 16, the
combined moment of inertia associated with the
motor/water pump shaft, and the wind turbine speeds are
referred to points B1 and B2 by the appropriate additions
in their subscripts. Knowing the generator frequency, we
know the start-up torque-speed characteristic of the motor.
And since we are interested in the operation with small
slip, we can assume that the motor has to reach
approximately the synchronous speed of this
characteristic.
In other words, using the last equation, we can
approximately determine what the speed at point B1 is
before connecting the motor in order to secure a succes&d
start-up process. This determination is possible under the
assumption that we know approximately all moments of
inertia involved in this equation. Using simulation results,
(c) 2000 IEEE
0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00
we will show that for successful start-up and operation of
the water-pumping system, we have to choose a water
pump with the torque-load characteristic matching the
torque characteristic of the wind turbine generator.
SIMULATION RESULTS
We illustrate our start-up process analysis by simulation
results obtained for a water pumping system, whch
consists of the BWC EXCEL wind turbine system and the
water pump driven by the Franklin 7.5 hp induction motor
(Model 234318).
The start-up or cut-in issues are discussed and the
cut-out operation is also presented in this section.
Cut-In Operation
To investigate how the start-up and the operation of the
system depend on the choice of the water pump, we ran
three simulation cases of the water-pumping system. For
each of the simulations, we assume the same constant
wind speed of 12 meters per second (m/s). The load torque
characteristic of the water pump was varied by setting the
water pump constant K,. In Figure 17, K, was set to
0.008 to illustrate a bigger water pump than the wind
turbine capability. In Figure 18, K, was set to 0.0008 (to
illustrate the correct size of water pump for the wind
turbine investigated, and in Figure 19 K, was set to
0.00008to illustrate a smaller water pump than the wind
turbine size.
Wind Turbine Alone
For each simulation, we delay connection of the induction
motor/water pump assembly until the wind turbine
generator reaches the speed of 100 rpm, or until the same
kinetic energy is stored in the “flywheel” created by the
wind turbine generator inertia Jm.
For the purpose of the simulation, the initial conditions
are identical for all three cases at the start-up. In each
case,the start-up occurs at t = 65 seconds, and the wind
turbine generator reaches the following identical
parameters: per phase voItage of 85volts (V)and the
.frequency is determined by the speed of 100 rpm.From
time zero to the time when the induction motor is
connected, the rotor speed of the wind turbine changes
from 0 rpm to 200 rpm (point BO to B1 in Figure 13).
The operating frequency of the generator increases from
zero to the corresponding frequency at point B 1.
One can easily notice that all initial condtions and
transients, for all three cases examined, are identicd until
the start-up instant of the induction motorlwater pump
assembly.
Induction Motor Connected
This observation is started at the time the induction motor
is connected and the new operating point is reached. This
event corresponds to operating point B1 to B2 for the
2512
wind turbine and the motor operating point corresponds to
A1 to A2 (as shown in Figure 13).
In this period of observation, there is interaction
between the wind turbine and the motor. The operating
point of the wind turbine is affected by the motor and the
water pump characteristic. Note that during this time,
both motor and generator operate at the same frequency.
In Figure 17, the unsuccessful start-up is shown. In
this case, the water pump torque load applied is shown to
be much bigger than the wind turbine generator torque
reflected to the side of the induction motor. Even though
the wind turbine power, integrated (due to the “flywheel”
effect) over the period from t = 0 to the start-up instant,
results in the kinetic energy capable of releasing the
induction motor instantaneous power on the order of
4 kilowatts 0, this is not enough to carry the load. In
addition, too heavy a load results in a very high induction
motor slip and stator current, which may lead to winding
damage.
Stable Operating Point.
In this period of observation, the operating point moves
from point B2 to A3 for the wind turbine and the motor
operating point moves from point A2 to point A3. As
shown in Figure 15, the pump is accelerated due to the
fact that the motor torque ( m e f3) is higher than the
water pump load torque (T-w). It is expected that the
water pump torque characteristic does not exceed the
torque that can be provided by the motor-generator
system. As shown in Figure 17, the motor torque cannot
support the water pump torque; thus, the system fails to
reach steady-state condition.
In Figure 18,we illustrate the case of the torque load,
which results in stable operation of the pumping system. It
can be seen that the torque load trace remains below the
trace of the driving torque of the wind turbine generator at
all times. The wind turbine performance coefficient
reaches approximately the maximum value of 0.39 (in
steady-state), corresponding to the generated power of 10
kW.The power consumed by the water pump is a little
below 10 kW.The steady-state induction motor current
equals approximately 25 amperes (A).
The traces shown in Figure 19 illustrate what happens
when the torque load is far below the torque capabiity of
the wind m i n e generator. The rpm of both the induction
generator and the wind turbine reach much higher steady-
state values than in the case shown in Figure 18, which
results in a high tip-speed ratio leading to the steady-state
C, = 0.15 and the power delivered by the wind turbine
generator to be as low as 3.2kW. The slip is very small,
resulting in much lower induction motor current of
approximately 16 A. This arrangement is an example of
underutilized wind water-pumping.
0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00(c) 2000 IEEE
Inertia Egect on Start-up Operation
In order to fully confirm the concept of “flywheel” energy
storage in the system considered, we tried digerent values
of cut-in speeds and different values of turbine inertia. We
have shown that the decrease of the moment of inertia of
the wind turbine generator leads to a failed start-up
process. In Figure 20(a), we show the transients
representing a failed start-up for Jm =20 kgm’ and the
induction motor cut-in speed of 100 rpm.
We managed to turn this into a successN start-up by
setting the cut-in speed at 150 rpm in order to allow for
larger accumulation of the kinetic energy at the turbine
rotor. The result is shown in Figure 20(b).
In other words, the operator of the water-pumping
system can assure, under certain conditions, a successful
start-up by increasing the cut-in speed. The “flywheel”
concept is also confirmed by simulation results shown in
Figure 20(c). In this case, the start-up speed of 100 rpm
remains unchanged and the successful start-up is achieved
by increasing the moment of inertia to Jm =30 kgm2.Ths
is, of course, not the solution of any practical value, but
merely confirms the previous explanation of the physics of
the process.
Cut-OutOperation
The cutsut operation occurs in higher wind speeds. As
the wind speed increases, the generator rpm and
fresuency increase& The motor torque characteristic slides
along the torque-speed axis as the frequency changes.
Uhis characteristic is illustrated in Figure 10.) The
torque-speed characteristic of the motor-generator is
affected by the parameters of the generator and the
induction motor (the statorhotor resistances and
inductances).
We simulated the cut-out operation of a wind turbine
in Figure 21. We assumed a good choice of the water
pump (i.e., the water pump with K,=O.OOOS, as for the
simulation reported in Figure 18). We set the wind speed
at the constant 12 d s . At t = 60 seconds, the wind speed
starts to increase linearly, resulting in frequency increase.
The cut-in speed was set at 100 rpm. Initially, the
induction motor slip is small and its current remains
below 20 A; however, as the frwluency increases the
operating point moves towards lower rpm. This results in
the slip increase and excessive induction motor current.
This operation is illustrated in Figure 10.
The steady-state operating point of the system is
illustrated by the crossing point between the water pump
and the motor torque. As the fiequency of operation
increases, the operating point of the system moves from
low slip (far from the peak torque in each frequency) to
higher slip. As the water pump torque increases,
approaching the peak torque of the motor, the motor slip
2513
 Per Phase Voltage [VI Induction Motor Current
40r
1

40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Time (sec) I Time (sec)

I Power Generated [kW] Induction Motor/Pump P o w

ss
s:t I

40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Time (sec)
I Time (sec)

/: I
I

I
I
.15
WT Performance Coefficient c-p

Time (sec)

WT/Svnch Generator RPM

1
100
4 40

I
I
40
WTGTorque (scaled) & Torque Load

50 60 70
Time (sec)
80

Induction Motor/PumD RPM

90 100

I
- 0
40 SO 60 70 80 90 100
Time (sec)
I Time (sec)

Figure 17. Illustration of a failed start-up of the BWC EXCEL water-pumping system. The water pump demands
a higher torque than the wind turbine can provide (mismatched operation)
[wind speed at 12 d s , water pump constant (K = 0.008), and wind turbine generator cut-in speed at 100 rpm]

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00(c) 2000 IEEE 2514

 Per Phase Voltage [VI Induction Motor Ourrent
30
2o
-20 -
s
.-
+
'-'lo -
I I
0-
40 50 60 70 80 90 100
40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Time (sec)
T h e (sec)

P o w Generated lkWl Induction Motor/Pump Po-

I Time (sec) I' 20 50 60 70

Time (sec)
80 90 100

WT Performance Coefficient C-p 1 WTGTorque(sc

.4
+
.3 -
P
"I .2 -
.1 -
0 I f I n L
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 4 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Time (sec) Time (sec)

WT/Synch Generator RPM

. 3000,
Induction Motor/Pump RPM

E
2000 -
+E"
-
I
1000

lo0b'
I I I
0. I

I " 40 50 60 70
Time (sec)
80 90 100 40 50 60 70 80
Time (sec)
90 100

Figure 18. Illustration of a successful start-up of tbe Bergey BWC EXCEL water pumping system. The
water pump is sized correctly to match the wind turbine.
[windspeed 12m/s, water pump constant K,-O.OOOS, wind turbine generator cut-in speed 100 rpm]

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00( c ) 2000 IEEE 2515

 Per Phase. Voltage [VJ Induction Motor Current
300 I
2o

I I I I
0. I
30 50 60 70 80 90 100
40 50 60 70 80 90 1
Time (sec)
Time (sec)

P o w Generated [kW] Induction MotodPumo P o w

4

I I I 1 I I I l l I I
40 50 60 70 80 90 1 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Time (sec) Time (sec)

WT Performance Coefficient C-p WTGTorque (scaled) &Torque Load

100
Time (sec) Time (sec)

I 40
-
-
0
WT/Synch Generator RPM
4000

3000

g2000 -
1000 -

I I
OI-

I Time (sec)

Figure 19. Illustration of a successful start-up of the BWC EXCEL water-pumping system. The water pump is sized
much smaller than the wind turbine capability.

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00 ( c ) 2000 IEEE 2516

 WT Performance Coefficient C p WTG Torque (scaled) t Torque Load
. 1 2 1 1 35,
30
-25
d 20
8 15
0"
E- 10
5
0
0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 1 4
Time (sec) Time (sec)

WT Performance Coefficient C-p I WTGToraue (scaled) & Torsue Load

.30

.25 - 60 -
.20 -

U
7.15 - (b)
I

.10 -
.05 -
I I I I I I I I
0-
0 2 4 6 8 1 0 1 2 4
Time (sec)

WT Performance Coefficient C-p WTG Torque (scaled) & Torque Load

70
.25 - 60
/-
-
.20
>1.15 -
a

-
.10

.05
0
-
1 1 I I
! ! ! !
I I I
20
00
10 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Time (sec) Time (sec)

p&ure 20. Dependence of the water pump start-up process on the kinetic energy
stored in the wind turbine rotor (Rw- 0.002, %= 12 ds)
(a) moment of inertiajwr=20 kgm2 and induction motor cut-in speed of 100 rpm results in a failed start-up
(b) successful start-up as a result of increasing kinetic energy stored in the rotor
due to setting the induction motor cut-in speed at 150 rpm
(c) succesrN start-up due to settingj,- 30 kgm' (at cut-in speed 100 rpm)

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00 (c) 2000 TEEE 2517

 Pet Phase Voltage [VI
20 200

18 - 150 -
6
+ e
.-
v1
16 Y

‘14-

12 ’
I I I I I I
10 I I I I I I 0
50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
Time (sec)

Induction M o t o r h m p RPM
30001 1

Time (sec) Time (sec)

Induction Motor Current

100

80 -
-
’ 5
.*
60-

40 -
20 -
1 I
0
50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
Time (sec) Time (sec)

WT Performance Coefficient CJ
I l
WTGTorque (scaled) &Torque Load
S O d

I- 50 55 60 65 70
Time (sec)
75 80 85 50 55 60 65 70
Time (sec)
75 80 85

Figure 21. A water-pumping system-effects of frequency increase caused by the ihcrease of the wind
speed

0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00(C) 2000 IEEE 2518

 also increases, which corresponds to higher stator current.
Eventually, the water pump torque may overcome the
peak torque of the motor thus creating a very high slip
operation. This will result in high slip and high current
operation, which will lead to winding damage both in the
generator and in the motor. In other words, if the wind is
too high, the pump should be cut-out either by the
operator or by switching off the induction motor
automatically. For most induction motors, the rated torque
is normally about half of the peak torque.
CONCLUSION
This paper covers the cut-in and cut-out operation of a
windelectric water-pumping system. To the outside
world, the wind-electric water-pumping system is similar
to direct, mechanically coupled wind water-pumping with
the exception of the “electrical gearbox” to couple the
wind turbine and the water pump. (The electrical gearbox
is represented by the generator-motor system.)
In an ideal case, the first thing to consider is the
match between the wind turbine and the water pump.
With a good match, the overall efficiency will be optimal.
Thus, the wind turbine will operate at the maximum
power coefficient C,most of the time.
The mismatch of wind turbine characteristics versus
water pump characteristics illustrates not only a
degradation in overall efficiency, but also the reduction in
operable rotor speed range. If the water pump is too small
for the wind turbine, the overall efiiciency will be low. I€
the water pump is too big for the wind turbine, the cut-out
frequency may happen too soon.
Another thing to consider is to choose the correct
electrical gearbox, which must be correctly sized to
“ f e r power from the wind turbine to the water pump. It
is expected that the electrical gearbox be sized to operate
within the range of expected water-pumping. The
limitation of the electrical gearbox is presented at the
component level (i.e., the generator and the induction
motor characteristics).
The importance of kinetic energy transfer from the
wind turbine to the water pump during start-up operation
is presented and explained in sufficient detail. The choice
of cut-in speed and the size of the moment of inertia eect
the success or failure of a start-up operation.
The mismatch of wind W i n e characteristics versus
water pump characteristics is presented and the
suboptimal and optimal operations are shown for Merent
choices of water pumps.
The cut-out operation in high wind speeds is also
presented. The upper limit of the wind turbine is limited
by the stator current of the generator and the induction
motor during an overload condition in the high slip. The
corresponding information associated with high wind
speed operation is presented, as well.
0-7803-6420-1/00/$10.00 ( c ) 2000 IEEE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to thank Peter Huebner from BWC for
providing data on the wind turbine generator and to Von
Hoffacker of Franklin Electric Submersible Field
Engineering for providing information on the electric
motor. The U.S. Department of Energy supported the
project under contract number DE-AC36-98G010337.
Additional discussions were conducted with Brian
Vick and Shitao Ling from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Wind Research Group. His input and
comments were greatly appreciated.
REFERENCES
[l] E. Muljadi, L. Flowers, J. Green, and M. Bergey,
“Electric Design of Wind-Electric Water-Pumping
Systems,” ASME Trans. Journal of Solar Energy
Engineering, vol. 118,pp. 246-252, 1996.
[2] M.L.S. Bergey, “Testing and Analysis of Small Wind
Electric Pumping Systems (SWEPS),” Final Report,
BWUDOE Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC02-87
CH10341,1990.
[3] R Nolan Clark, “Stand-Alone Wind-Electric Water
Pumping,” EWEC ’89, July 10-13, 1989.
[4] F. Goezinne and F. Eilering, “Wind Pumping
Windmills with Electrical Transmission,” Wind
Engineering, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 152-159, 1984.
[5]D.W.McKenzie, “Improved and New Waterpumping
Windmills,” Proceedings of the Wind Energy Expo ‘84
and A WEA National Conference, A WE4,Pasadena, CA,
pp. 512-525, September 2626,1984.
[6] F.C. Vosper and R Nolan Clark, “Electrical Stand-
alone Water Pumping,” Proceedings of the Sixth Biennial
Wind Energy Conference and Workshop, MinneapolidSt.
Paul, Minnesota, pp. 741-747, June 1-3, 1983.
[7]M. Falchetta, D. Prischich, “Testing of Wind Pumps
with Electrical Transmission at the ENEA Test Facility,”
Wind Energy Conversion 1987, Proceedings of the 9th
British Wind Energy Association Conference, Edinburgh,
p ~247-257,
. April 1-3, 1987.
[S] J.T. Bialasiewicz, E. Muljadi, S. Drouilhet, and G.
Nix,“Modular Simulation of a Hybrid Power System with
Diesel and Wind Turbine Generation,” Proceedings of
WINDPOWER ’98,”Bakersfield, California, pp. 423-432,
1998.
[9] J.T. Bialasiewicz, E. Muljadi, S. Drouilhet, and
G. Nix, “Hybrid Power Systems with Diesel and Wind
Turbine Generation,” Proceedings of the 1998 American
Control Conference, Philadelphia, vol. 3, pp. 1705-1709,
June 24-26, 1998.
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