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Bolty

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Joined: 03/04/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 81

Posted: 02:42am 03 Apr 2008

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Hi!
I am a newbie to this site, but am interested in setting up a grid connect wind turbine, hopefully around 1 Kw.
Whilst I have found many larger Chinese turbines, I have not found any suitable devices to interface the turbine to a grid connect inverter. I am aware of some of the demands place on the controller, especially unloaded over-voltage protection.
I was very interested to read of a NEW wind turbine controller from Latronics. This controller looks like it could do the trick!

Here is the link!
http://www.latronics.com/turbinecon.html

Does anyone know anything more about this device, or if there is already an equivalent controller by another supplier?

Thanks for any help, ideas or opinions about this!

Bolty

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Joined: 03/04/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 81

Posted: 11:01am 09 Apr 2008

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Sorry if I am naive and ignorant of protocol on this forum, but I am a complete newbie!

No answers to my question above has made me think that it is not an appropriate question! Perhaps it is because I am asking about a commercial product, and it is not appropriate to do this on what is described as a "homegrown" site.

If this is so, then I am sorry that I have not been appropriate.

If it is not the case, I would be really pleased to hear from others about ways in which I can interface a turbine to a grid connect inverter.

Even though I am forced to use some commercial components, I am very much an experimenter at heart and intend to do as much as I can to provide myself with some wind power. I do not have sufficient knowledge to make all the necessary components myself!

Thanks to anyone who can help!

Gill

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Joined: 11/11/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 669

Posted: 12:55pm 09 Apr 2008

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G'day Bolty,
Hay, You've not stepped out of line at all. Your query is quite valid. I read your post first up and went to the Latronics site where I see they are to introduce a grid connect inverter for wind generators without batteries. Most interesting.

I have a friend who is presently making a 3kw axial flux wind gen and he was hoping to grid connect but was told by the local 'authority' in the region it could not be done. He's looking forward to making him eat humble pie, in due course, though always being weary these self important bureaucrats can make paper disappear.

I guess that system will come available soon but believe the dedicated enthusiast builder will be overtaken by the money motivated types. Maybe I'll have to find a new interest then.

Don't expect an overwhelming response as I believe there'd be only one maybe two with wind grid connected systems on this forum and those would not be this new system either. So you are the pioneer, lead the way and keep us up to date on all the good news. Thanks.

Edited by Gill 2008-04-10

was working fine... til the smoke got out.
Cheers Gill _Cairns, FNQ

GWatPE

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Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 02:04pm 09 Apr 2008

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Hi Bolty,

I am probably the forum member Gill is talking about. I have been directing my surplus wind energy back to the grid for quite a while now. I have used an SMA grid tied inverter, designed for solar. The PVedge was released last year, but I stayed with the SMA I had, as it had metering. I did not want to change my system from 24V either. I am currently using a battery system as it has reduced my, from grid consumption. I may revert back to the non battery configuration when the export tarif goes up to 44c/kWhr on July 1. It would be logical to sell at 44c and buy back at 18c. I am not sure if the PVedge has a similar concept to me of maintaining the grid connection, within the anti islanding parameters, during periods of gusty wind conditions where the windmill power may be intermitant. If you go with the PVedge it will be interesting to hear your findings on how a unit performs.

I should point out that no wind turbines with a grid connect inverter currently have approval for connection to the grid in Aus. I have seen these units feeding power to the AC of a battery RAPS with an inverter/charger, like an Outback, or Sunny Island.

If you go for a batteryless system, I would use a PWM type dump load regulator on the windmill. This will regulate better than an ON/OFF that would work on a battery system.

The cost of a grid tied inverter is still a major obstacle for the DIY experimenter.

Good luck with your investigation, Gordon.

PS. I will be adding a F&P ferrite 100S in delta with maximiser to my arrangement in the near furure.Edited by GWatPE 2008-04-11

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Bolty

Regular Member

Joined: 03/04/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 81

Posted: 10:10pm 09 Apr 2008

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Thanks for your kind words and support Gill and Gordon. I am pleased that my interest in using a commercial product to achieve my intentiom of a grid connect wind system is in line with the spirit of the forum!

I was not aware that this objective was relatively new. For me it offers great potential for the future as a means of backyarders achieving a substantial saving of energy through wind.

Gordon I am very impressed with your extensive knowledge and support that you give to others! You must be the Gordon that I visited before I knew about the existence of this forum. Seeing that you already have a grid connect wind system, it validates the enormous knowledge that you have as a home grown constructor, well before a commercial product became available. If I am able to achieve my objective, it will mean that South Coast South Australia will have 2 grid connect wind turbines.

Thanks once again guys!

Bolty

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Joined: 03/04/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 81

Posted: 10:17pm 09 Apr 2008

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BTW Gordon, you may not have noticed that the Latronics controller does have a PWM regulator built in. It would appear that the regulator will be preset to begin activation at a particular, unchangeable voltage. I guess that this will dictate what voltage rating that the turbine will need to be working at, which would be fine with the Latronics grid-connect inverter, but may be a little restricting for those who already have most of their equipment.

GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 02:49am 10 Apr 2008

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Hi Bolty,

I have many interested poeple come and see my setup. It was good to see my windmill feature on the TV. The TV interview that has appeared on 7News and a segment on the ABC will no doubt add to this number. It will be interesting if politicians and industry representatives act on any of my suggestions. I have met some sceptics, but these people usually have not considered all perspectives.

I know another forum member has a PVedge. You can see me if you still need help off the forum.

cheers, Gordon.

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Bolty

Regular Member

Joined: 03/04/2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 81

Posted: 12:28pm 10 Apr 2008

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Hi Gordon,

Thanks for the info and the offer of help! That is really great!

Good to see that you were well reported by the media. The local newspaper gave you a good wrap up as well! It all makes for more awareness about the possibilities of wind power. You are to be congratulated for all of this good work!

I would be very interested in reading your suggestions to politicians and industry representatives. No matter what activity you are involved in, there will always be sceptics and knockers.

I did send an email to Latronics asking more info about their upcoming controllers. My question and their answers are below!

1. What will be the maximum power capacity of the controller?
Answer 25A for both models (we will have 2 models a 48V and 96V version to suit both PVE models)
2. When do you expect them to be available?
Answer End of June
3. What nominal voltage does the turbine need to be? Answer 48V turbine for the PVE1200, 96-110V turbine for the PVE2500

Keep up the good work Gordon!

AMUN-RA

Senior Member

Joined: 10/03/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 144

Posted: 08:59am 11 Apr 2008

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Gordon it would be good to sell at 44 and buy at 18 but that will only occur if you can find a dnsp that will
gross meter the power in queensland ergon net meter 1 for 1 you only get 44 cents for export after you 0 your bill, though after talking with them yesterday they are not sure whats happening as the ergon contract says they will not make a cash payment for excess power generated .

Mick conergy 2kw grid connect since 02/01/2008

Every day the sun shines
& gravity sucks= free energy.

GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 12:51am 12 Apr 2008

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Hi Mick,

I have my letter from Mr Rann. Maybe the QLD state govt. should be lobbied to pressure the power retailers. I had thought that the SA initiative was to be copied by the other states... Gordon.Edited by GWatPE 2008-04-14

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AMUN-RA

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Joined: 10/03/2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 144

Posted: 10:19pm 12 Apr 2008

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Gordon could you email me a copy of your letter thanks
Mick

Every day the sun shines
& gravity sucks= free energy.

GWatPE

Senior Member

Joined: 01/09/2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 2127

Posted: 05:36am 13 Apr 2008

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Hi Mick,

The letter from Mr Rann is a personal letter, but I will quote from it,

"I am pleased to inform you that Australia's first solar feed in laws passed through State parliament on 14 February 2008. The new law provides for payment of a premium to electricicy consumers who have solar systems, and who return excess capacity to the grid.

The new law will come into effect on 1 July 2008."

"The new Feed in Legislation has the following parameters:

- the feed in tariff will be 44 cents per kWhr
- .."

"I am hopeful the feed in tariff scheme will be the template for the rest of the country, and I am encouraged that Queensland is following the South Australin model."

the website www.climatechange.sa.gov.au has more info.
He states that he has been informed that, "The federal govt is committed to a national approach on feed in tariffs."

I have been looking at my power statement from AGL, my retail grid connect provider and the charges are well itemised. The buyback is quite separate on the statement.

In my circumstance, about 10% of the power I produce, I do not have the oportunity to be paid 44c per unit for. I do not have to pay for it though as it is not metered.

There has been much political debate with a 12 month delay. This is not a scam. This metered import/export system does provide producers with an incentive to reduce their own consumption.

It may take some time for an equitable national RE policy to be adopted... Gordon.

Edited by GWatPE 2008-04-14

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