Wind Energy Lab

Function and Applications

The Wind Energy Lab is a teaching and training system for the experimental investigation of how wind turbines work and their system characteristics. It brings a real wind turbine in tabletop format into any lecture hall and any technical training facility – a complete laboratory in a transport case weighing around 32 kg. Instead of simulating, learners investigate real physical processes on a real system: in a blower-type wind tunnel (Eiffel type) with low-turbulence flow up to 12 m/s, the airflow drives a pitch-controlled wind turbine with direct drive and a three-phase synchronous axial-flux generator. In this way, the entire chain of effects – from the airflow through the aerodynamics of the rotor and the mechanics of the tower to the electrical power – becomes tangible on a single compact system.

All experiments are controlled and evaluated via a browser-based web app, accessible from any device (PC, tablet or smartphone) through a local Wi-Fi hotspot – entirely without installing any special software. Since operation allows several devices simultaneously, multiple learners can be actively involved in carrying out the experiments. The experimentally determined characteristic values such as power, efficiency or torque curve qualitatively represent the behaviour of large wind turbines and make the theoretical fundamentals of wind energy technology immediately tangible. With 16 fully developed experiments, the system covers aerodynamics, mechanics and electrical engineering across disciplines and is suitable for university education as well as for professional development and college (upper secondary) teaching.

Benefits

• Real wind turbine instead of simulation – real measurement data on a pitch-controlled turbine with synchronous generator, flow up to 12 m/s
• Control via web app – operation and evaluation through a Wi-Fi hotspot from any device, without special software; multiple learners simultaneously
• Mobile and compact – complete laboratory at approx. 32 kg in a transport case, quickly set up and dismantled, mains operation 110–230 V
• 16 fully developed experiments – from anemometry and lift measurement through power characteristic curves to tower dynamics and rotor blade design
• Interdisciplinary and practical – aerodynamics, mechanics and electrical engineering on a single system, with reference to real installations (grid code, pitch and torque control)

Technical Specification