Axial-flux vs. radial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous generators for micro-wind turbine application

This paper presents a comparative study between the axial-flux and radial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous generators for a 3 kW wind turbine application. This study emphasizes the most cost-effective solution to be implemented by the industrial partner. There are three constructive types of electric generators considered in this work. All are based on permanent-magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs), but one has an axial-flux topology, the other one is a radial-flux outer-rotor machine and the third one is a radial-flux inner-rotor machine. Finite-element field analysis was made for the three PMSGs in order to compare their efficiency and active materials estimated cost. The results show that the axial-flux PMSG is the best solution for micro-wind turbine application.