Design and Experiment of Large-Scale AFPM Generator for Direct-Driven Wind Turbine

Recently, the demand for alternative energy sources has increased due to energy exhaustion and environmental concerns, and renewable energy systems such as wind and tidal power have received significant attention. As system capacities continue to grow to improve energy conversion efficiency, the development of direct-driven wind turbines exceeding 10 MW is actively progressing. To address these needs, this study deals with the design and experiment of an axial flux permanent magnet(AFPM) generator for a 2.5 MW direct-driven wind turbine system. The overall design process of the AFPM generator is presented, and a quasi-3D finite-element analysis model is proposed to accurately predict electromagnetic characteristics. The model is verified through comparison with 3D analysis results. Finally, a full-scale prototype of the AFPM generator is manufactured, and experimental evaluation is conducted to validate the proposed design and analysis approach.