28-05-2010, 08:40 PM
The process of tying up the outputs of any two sources of energy, such as wind and solar to produce a constant output is called a hybrid power system. But in this method, saying that there is no tying up of outputs but the two sources of energy are tied up at the point of production itself changes the definition in this model a little. In the existing hybrid system, the field of the alternator has to be supplied through the battery or in certain other cases; the field uses permanent magnets for its magnetic field. The former has the setback that it has to use brushes and the latter, loses its efficiency due to aging. The new venture comes as an alternative for both the disadvantages.
This works on a simple principle that the field-exciting source rotates along with the prime mover of the alternator. In this case the solar power panel mounted on top of the wind turbine, which also rotates along with the turbine, provides the field excitation. The DC supply from the solar panel is taken through wires in the groove on the shaft. This supply is used to excite the field of the rotating armature type alternator.
This method can be also carried out on an existing permanent magnet alternator by winding it for two poles on the magnet itself. This would increase the flux in the machine and thereby increase the output of the machine. This would also come in handy in case of no solar energy, when the permanent magnet would provide the minimum output, thereby increasing the reliability of the system
