EMF calculations of the salient pole synchronous generator with variable speed using 2D finite element method

During last few decades there has been a growing demand for exploitation of unconventional energy sources. The ocean and sea energy has attracted much attention, due to its enormous potential. Many patents have been published specifically for wave energy converters. When it comes to production of electrical energy, the most important part of system represents electrical generator. In this paper, the electromagnetic model of synchronous machine used in such wave energy conversion system is created and analyzed. Using created model, the generator’s no-load induced voltage, which works under specific conditions, is analyzed. The specific conditions of these applications imply variable rotor speed, which is a consequence of the stochastic wave nature. The no-load performance of the synchronous generator is investigated by using 2-D finite element method. Calculation of the induced voltage and its peak values, depending on the operating conditions, were performed in order to properly select installed equipment in the wave energy conversion system, the most important being power converter.