Applications

Brushless PM electrical machines are the primary generators for distributed generation systems. They are compact, high efficient and reliable self-excited generators. The distributed generation is any electric power production technology that is integrated within a distribution system. Distributed generation technologies are categorized as renewable and nonrenewable. Renewable technologies include solar, photovoltaic, thermal, wind, geothermal and ocean as sources of energy. Nonrenewable technologies include internal combustion engines, combined cycles, combustion turbines, microturbines and fuel cells.

AFPM brushless generators can be used both as high speed and low speed generators. Their advantages are high power density, modular construction, high efficiency and easy integration with other mechanical components like turbine rotors or flywheels. The output power is usually rectified and then inverted to match the utility grid frequency or only rectified. A method for active output voltage regulation in an AFPM automotive alternator by means of mechanical flux weakening is proposed in [34].