Wind Turbine Emulator - Fuel Cell Microgrid

The WTE-FC Microgrid is an advanced hybrid energy training and research platform that integrates a Wind Turbine Emulator (WTE) with a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell system. Designed to explore power continuity and backup energy strategies in microgrids, this system enables users to simulate and analyze the interplay between intermittent renewable generation and steady hydrogen-based power supply. The platform mirrors real-world microgrid operation, where wind energy serves as the primary variable source and hydrogen fuel cells provide reliability during low-wind scenarios. This system is ideal for developing skills in microgrid design, renewable backup strategies, energy security analysis, and grid-independent operation.

Key Features

Wind Turbine Emulator with Custom Wind Profiles:
Simulate dynamic wind behavior using built-in or imported profiles.
Torque-Speed and Power-Speed Modeling:
Study wind turbine characteristics in detail under different rotor and pitch settings.
PEM Fuel Cell Stack (1000 W):
Air-cooled, 48-cell system with self-humidification and onboard safety sensors.
Prefilled Hydrogen Cylinder:
Enables immediate setup and experimentation with high-purity hydrogen.
Charge Controller and Battery Bank:
Manage energy flow between fuel cell, battery, and load.
Optional Supercapacitor Integration:
Available for enhancing transient response and energy buffering.
Inverter Integration:
Supports both DC and AC loads.
Optional Programmable DC and AC Load:
Enable dynamic load testing and performance analysis.
Real-Time Monitoring Panel:
Track voltage, current, power, hydrogen flow, and system temperature.
Hydrogen Leak Detection System:
Triggers automatic shutdown and alerts in case of leak.
Open-Source Software Platform:
Allows customization of control logic for advanced research and teaching.
LabVIEW Integration:
Real-time data logging and control environment.

Learning Module

System Modeling & Renewable Source Analysis

Wind Turbine Emulation and Analysis
- Study Cp–λ curves, pitch angle variation, and rotor dynamics.
- Simulate wind behavior using custom, manual, or real-world wind profiles.
- Understand torque-speed and power-speed relationships under variable wind speeds.
PEM Fuel Cell Operation and Performance
- Analyze V–I characteristics, power output, and temperature effects.
- Study purge cycles, self-humidification behavior, and stack degradation.
- Observe hydrogen flow response and identify performance influencers.

Hybrid Microgrid Control, Storage & Load Management

Hybrid Energy Coordination & Source Prioritization
- Implement control algorithms to manage power dispatch between wind and fuel cell.
- Develop logic-based prioritization during fluctuating wind availability.
- Analyze transient switching, dynamic stability, and fault scenarios.

System Integration, Grid Interaction & Customization

Grid-Tied and Off-Grid Operation
- On grid and off grid operation posiible
Real-Time Monitoring and LabVIEW Interface
- Monitor voltage, current, power, hydrogen flow, and stack temperature in real time.
- Use LabVIEW software for control, logging, and interactive experiment setup.
Custom Algorithm Deployment and Open-Source Flexibility
- Modify open-source code to implement new control strategies.
- Design and test MPPT routines, fuel cell optimizers, or hybrid controllers.
- Ideal for academic projects, research, and prototyping smart microgrid logic.

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