Hello

[Shiv Kumar]

Hello everyone!

I am simply amazed by the few posts I have browsed through so far. I wish I had joined earlier.

I did my PhD in power electronics and control. So my base area is inverters, micro-controllers, advanced electronics. I have been working on the field of microgrids for a while particularly off-grid applications. Now I am reading on off-grid communities in Ontario, looking for applications to my current research. The objective would be to bring in wind turbines to decrease the diesel being used.

Cheers,
Shiv

[Rob Beckers]

Hi Shiv,

Welcome to the forum!
Power electronics... I man after my heart! I'm an electrical engineer by trade, with electronics in my background, but no power electronics in particular (not much of that was taught when I was in University). I edified myself on the subject a few years back, with the idea of designing/building an MPPT charge controller for wind (those didn't exist at that time). Got too busy with the company (Solacity) and never actually got to work much on that charge controller. Did some neat things in Orcad/PSpice though, simulating H-bridges and the like.

Regarding wind for rural off-grid communities: This is a subject with many shades of gray. When it comes to small wind turbines there is not really anything that could be called "reliable". They all fail fairly regularly, need maintenance (if you're lucky only annually), and unless you're willing to invest in a high tower or live in a very windy place they do not produce much energy. These days solar PV just makes more sense for most locations. PV is cheap enough that you can install a lot of it before spending the same as a decent turbine plus tower.

That said, if you're talking about a larger community, and are looking for a larger turbine, say in the 100 - 500 kW class, those are a totally different beast. From what I've heard they are much more reliable, and much better designed than the small stuff. If you happen to live in a windy area they can make a whole lot of sense.

Cheers,

-RoB-

[Shiv Kumar]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your response. After the reading that I have done, I too am coming to the same conclusion - that small wind is probably not the best solution for off-grid communities. Moreover, Northern Ontario doesn't seem to have incredibly high wind speeds to begin with - their winter speeds seem to be 7-8 m/s. But all this is from some preliminary reading.

Will post back soon after I collect some more information.

Cheers,
Shiv

[Andy Rhody]

How about a little of both (Wind & Solar)?

I agree with all the above. I have both and the solar does out perform the wind both in power and cost but it's amasing how when the solar slow downs in winter or at night how the wind picks ups. Very Complimentary.

[Shiv Kumar]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your response. I just some of your previous posts of the PV panels and wind that you installed at your home and they are pretty impressive. Will definitely consider it.

Cheers,
Shiv