Study on Switched Reluctance Generator for Rural Electrification

This paper addresses the need for the utilization of cost effective, maintenance free electric machines in standalone wind energy conversion system meant for rural areas. The suitability of switched reluctance machine as generator for standalone rural wind energy conversion system has been explored through design and analysis. The design process, selection of pertinent topology, static and transient magnetic characteristics has been presented. The suitable topology chosen on the basis of torque to weight ratio estimated from static magnetic characteristics has been subjected to transient analysis to validate the design. Finite element analysis has been extensively used to refine as well as to analyze the finalized design. Vibration analysis also favored the selected switched reluctance generator topology for the economic and maintenance free rural electrification in standalone wind energy conversion systems.