Comparative Analysis of 10 MW Class Geared and Gearless Type Superconducting Synchronous Generators for a Wind Power Generation System

In order to improve the efficiency of wind power generation system (WPGS), many researchers have tried to develop a larger WPGS and a superconducting synchronous generator (SCSG) has been suggested to develop over 5 MW class WPGS. There are two expected types of drive-train, geared and gearless. The structure and electrical parameters of the SCSG depend on the type of drive-train used. This paper deals with a comparative analysis of the 10 MW class geared and gearless types of the SCSG for WPGS. Three drive-trains are designed for the 10 MW class SCSGs using the finite elements method analysis tool. The PSCAD/EMTDC is utilized to simulate electrical and dynamic behaviors of the modeled SCSGs. The simulation results show the operation characteristics of the designed SCSGs and suggest that the single-stage gearbox type drive-train is the most efficient drive-train for the SCSG due to the reduction of the number of rotor poles and the volume of the generator, even though the geared-type drive-train requires periodical maintenance.