Combined-heat and power generator with high-speed permanent magnet synchronous machine

This paper presents the theoretical background and experimental results obtained during the development of a small combined heat and power unit. The unit´s final output power when the development is finished should be 3kW of electrical power. The unit was built with an automotive turbocharger acting as a turbine and a high-speed permanent magnet synchronous machine. The achieved parameters so far are 550 W of DC power for 11 000 RPM. The power was converted to AC with a commercial active-front end unit into the 3×400 V, 50 Hz AC power network. Due to mechanical constrains the generator was running only with about ¼ of the final RPM (42000 RPM) and with about ½ of the nominal current (11 A); the 3 kW goal is achievable.