Non-Reversing Generators in a Novel Design for Pumping Mode AirborneWind Energy Farm

The design of a pumping mode airborne wind energy (AWE) farm is presented in this chapter. This design centres on the use synchronous generators on a local frequency wild bus, with full scale power converter located at the point of grid connection. The design is well suited to a remotely located or offshore farm. The focus of the chapter is on the modelling of a ground based electromechanical system which provides a continuous electrical power output from multiple AWE devices whose individual operation delivers periodic mechanical power. The generators are not reversed during operation as the system presented separates the power and recovery tasks of the winch. Furthermore the use of permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG) enables the direct interconnection of multiple devices to a local bus. The AWE farm design philosophy is detailed and encouraging simulation results are discussed.