Finite Element Comparative Study Between Permanent Magnet Synchronous and Asynchronous Generators Used in Wind Turbines

Wind power generators recently have shown a great interest in the domain of renewable energy due to their high performance (torque-mass ratio, efficiency, and its acceptable cost). For better reliability, this paper elaborates a comparative study using the Finite Element tool ANSYS – MAXWELL for the Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Synchronous & Asynchronous Generators (i.e. DDPMSG & DDPMIG). The purpose of this study is to compare the essential characteristics (e.g. radial flux density, cogging torque, induced flux linkage, power estimation) of the mentioned generators. This analysis focus on the effect of the double layer armature winding, which is an interested methodology to mitigate the Fourier harmonics for induced Electro-Motive Force (EMF), and to minimize the cogging torque for both machines.