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Steve Byrne
26th January 2024, 14:05
Hi all. I've a 3kw Bornay wind turbine (2 blade, 4 meter diameter) that runs through an old Aurora 3600 (the black one) with an Aurora wind interface, which were originally supplied with the turbine way back when. It must be 10 or so years old at this point.
I'm pretty sure that along the way someone had tried out their own curve (the turbine wasnt new when I got it 8 years ago) and Bornay were less than forthcoming, so I had a go at writing my own.
However it was genuine guesswork and I'm sure there has to be a better way to come up with an Aurora curve.
These days Bornay do a big MPPT controller for the turbine, which I have tried but it relies on a minumum ratio between RPM and output voltage, and mine is seeminly outside the parameters, so it won't let the turbine run.
However, that unit runs within a much smaller voltage range (and thus RPM) than I would see with the Aurora - voltage can get into the high 400's, whereas their new MPPT maintains a range that is typically below 300v, running at a lower RPM.
I do see 3500W from this 3000W rated turbine in high winds. Its just run right through the recent storms relying only on furling for protection.
I'd like to try and get the curve right. ANy tips? Here's a link to my current curve setup - https://photos.app.goo.gl/9yzfg643wwQxNADc6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9yzfg643wwQxNADc6

Edit - I found the curve that Bornay had in the Aurora originally, which has max output at only 240v. https://photos.app.goo.gl/x3KLXEhAcZ6LvZLEA

I should also add that the Aurora is AC coupled to the AC output of a Victron Multiplus 8000. I manage surplus AC from it using an Eddi load diverter which is feeding a couple of 3kw immersion elements in sequence so there is always load available for the turbine.

Rob Beckers
29th January 2024, 08:00
Hi Steve,

Attached is the spreadsheet I use to create grid-tie MPPT curves for wind turbines. As with anything, it's an approximation, but it's based on the underlying physics. It's not particularly user friendly (made it for my own use), hopefully it helps.

There may be reasons to deviate from calculated values, such as keeping rotor speed under control (higher load than indicated will do that), or speeding up at low winds (by keeping the load down), or keeping things within a Voltage window by playing with the load vs. wind speed etc.

-RoB-