This paper proposes a cheap, maintenance-free generator suitable for maximum wind energy capture. It can be designed for low speed applications, where it could be rigidly coupled to a Sandia-17-m Darrieus wind turbine without the need of a gearbox. The generator is operated at varying shaft...

The continuous demand for increase in power output for new wind parks under strict cost constraints, the greater wind resource at elevation and the desire for fewer machines per Mega-Watt to reduce operations resulted in a demand for bigger turbines. The drive train is an important component in...