Overview

This spoke is researching a small-scale wind generator for off-grid battery charging and exploring synchronous condenser technologies to stabilize grids with high solar and wind penetration.

Stellenbosch University is advancing wind energy research, focusing on drive train technology, power conversion, and grid integration. Drive train work includes developing and comparing non-permanent magnet (non-PM) and permanent magnet (PM) wind generators, slip synchronous generator systems, and brushless doubly fed induction generators (BDFIGs) to improve efficiency, reliability, and cost. Wind-powered motor-generator drive systems are also being explored. Grid integration research includes geospatial planning of wind and solar resources, gravity-based energy storage for output stabilization, and the use of synchronous condensers to enhance grid stability. These projects aim to boost renewable energy penetration and support a secure, resilient electricity grid for South Africa's transition to sustainable power.

Projects and Prototypes

Drive Train Technology

  • Non-PM wind generator technology
  • PM wind generator technology
  • Slip synchronous wind generator systems.
  • Brushless doubly fed induction generator (BDFIG) technology.

Solid-State Converters and Control

Wind energy powered motor-generator grid connected drive systems.

Grid Integration

  • Geospatial allocation of wind and solar energy for optimised grid support.
  • Gravity storage for wind energy grid support.
  • Synchronous condenser technology for grid stability.

Team

Prof Nkosinathi Gule

Stellenbosch University

nathie@sun.ac.za

Rong-Jie Wang

Stellenbosch University

rwang@sun.ac.za

Maarten J Kamper

Stellenbosch University

kamper@sun.ac.za

Academic Publications