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The Construction of the Mobile Wind Energy Plant MoWE

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  028049,  2002 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.9245) @2002
Authors:   Hartwig IRPS, Dr.
Keywords:   Wind energy plant, wind power plant, wind energy pump, wind pump, wind heating system, mobile wind energy plant, mobile wind energy converter, permanent-magnet synchronous generator

An international first is the construction of a mobile wind energy plant with two rotors which can be used to capture wind energy on different locations. The rotational energy which is produced by the two three bladed rotors leads on to two positions to a shaft for PTO (power take off) use, similar to the three point hydraulic hitch on modern tractors. Aggregates as for example, a mechanical water pump, an electric generator for stand alone or with grid connection, an air-compressor for energy storage or other suitable equipment. The first MoWEC-prototype has been used in a test period in the German Federal Agricultural Research Center (FAL) in Braunschweig since the beginning of 2002. Another aim of the project is to use normal agricultural equipment for the transformation of wind energy into usable energy (PTO generator, PTO water pump, PTO air compressor, ...).

There are lots of different designs in terms of heights, width and rated power possibilities. The wing heights amounts in the present MoWEC prototype to 10 meter. The total rotor swept area results in 80 m, because each of the two rotors have a diameter of 7.10 meters. The rated power yields are from 10 to 20 kW. We carry out experiments with this prototype to receive data especially on the details of construction. In addition we are conducting experiments with a specialized Lee wind wheel which shall be used for the yaw control at low and high wind velocities. Among the most important applications areas are: Irrigation and drainage of surfaces as well as the electrical energy supply in systems with grid connection or in stand alone systems, the latter also for heating.

The MoWEC concept also makes possible different performances levels and numbers of rotors. An installation on a floating platform also is conceivable (for example for use on lakes, rivers or near the coast).

The prototype of this mobile wind-powered plant was developed for rural areas. When commercially available, it can be bought, rented or leased. The necessary installations are understandable and technically simple. For transportation purposes, the mobile wind energy converter MoWEC can be folded up. The total width then amounts to 2.80 meter, meaning the new machine can be transported on normal roads as an agricultural implement.

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