1. Classification of wind turbines by transmission system type
Type: Permanent magnet direct drive wind turbine
Transmission system: The wind wheel directly drives the permanent magnet generator to rotate
Features: Simple structure, easy maintenance, high reliability, high transmission efficiency, and high cost
Type: Semi-direct drive wind turbine
Transmission system: The wind wheel drives the generator to rotate through a primary gearbox
Features: Higher efficiency than doubly fed asynchronous generator wind turbines, lower than direct drive wind turbines, lower cost than direct drive wind turbines, and higher than doubly fed asynchronous generator wind turbines
Type: Doubly fed asynchronous generator wind turbine
Transmission system: Doubly fed asynchronous generator wind turbine
Features: Mature structure, relatively low cost, able to achieve two-way power control, relatively low efficiency, requires inverter for control, and increased cost
2. Classification of wind turbines by the installation direction of the rotor shaft
Type: horizontal axis wind turbine
Installation direction of the rotor shaft: horizontal
Features: mature technology, wide application, complete industrial chain, high efficiency, high wind energy utilization, convenient maintenance, and relatively low cost
Advantages: mature technology, wide application, high efficiency, convenient maintenance, and low cost
Disadvantages: greatly affected by wind direction, large rotor diameter, and relatively high noise
Type: vertical axis wind turbine
Installation direction of the rotor shaft: vertical
Features: not affected by wind direction, no yaw drive system required, small footprint, low site requirements, and relatively low noise
Advantages: not affected by wind direction, small footprint, and low noise
Disadvantages: relatively immature technology, relatively low efficiency, difficult maintenance, and relatively high cost
3. Wind turbines are classified by capacity:
Type: micro wind turbine
Rated capacity: < 1kW
Applicable places: families, small businesses
Features: small size, easy installation, low investment cost
Type: small wind turbine
Rated capacity: 1kW-10kW
Applicable places: industrial and mining enterprises, wind farms
Features: moderate capacity, wide range of uses, high cost performance
Type: medium-sized wind turbine
Rated capacity: 10kW-100kW
Applicable places: large wind farms
Features: large capacity, high power generation, can be connected to the power grid
Type: large wind turbine
Rated capacity: > 100kW
Applicable places: large wind farms
Features: large capacity, high power generation efficiency, can reduce the area occupied by wind farms
learn more： Types of wind turbines
