Combined-heat and power generator with high-speed permanent magnet synchronous machine

This paper presents the theoretical background and experimental results obtained during the development of a small combined heat and power unit. The unit's final output power when the development is finished should be 3kW of electrical power. The unit was built with an automotive turbocharger acting as a turbine and a high-speed permanent magnet synchronous machine. The achieved parameters so far are 550 W of DC power for 11 000 RPM. The power was converted to AC with a commercial active-front end unit into the 3×400 V, 50 Hz AC power network. Due to mechanical constrains the generator was running only with about ¼ of the final RPM (42000 RPM) and with about ½ of the nominal current (11 A); the 3 kW goal is achievable.