Using Solar-Powered 3-Phase Squirrel Cage Induction Motors as Prime Movers for Synchronous Electric Generators

Erwin Normanyo, Abdul Razak Sulemana

Abstract


Abstract

Most industries and communities in Ghana and around the world depend on synchronous electric generators powered mostly by fuel-run internal combustion engines to augment their energy deficit. Industries, communities and individuals relying on the internal combustion engine driven generators are exposed to pollution, fuel price hikes, frequent fuel shortages, high operational and maintenance costs. In this paper, a solar-powered squirrel cage induction motor was considered as prime mover for the rotating field type synchronous electric generator. The design was simulated using Matlab/Simulink. Simulation results indicated that the terminal voltage and stator current as a function of time were sinusoidal waveforms of the required magnitude, at constant speed and excitation. The output voltage regulation was achieved not only by the field current excitation but also the speed regulation of the electric motor. The implementation cost for the design was GHȼ 512,600 as against that of the internal combustion engine system of USD 145,111.84. The running cost computed for a decade gave USD 139,182.99 for the new design and USD 333,232.15 for the internal combustion engine system. The new system therefore stands to be recommended to users of synchronous electric generator powered by internal combustion engine in terms of both implementation and running cost.

 

Keywords: Internal combustion engine, Electric generator, Induction motor, Solar

Keywords


Internal combustion engine; Electric generator; Induction motor; Solar

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