Analysis of Vibro-Acoustic Signals Generated during Operation of Micro Wind Turbines

Results of a measurement and analysis of vibro-acoustic signals generated by two low power vertical-axis wind turbines that are installed on the roof of the Electric Power Institute at Opole University of Technology are presented in the paper. The study considers a Darrieus and a Savonius type wind turbines of rated power 1 kW each. For registration of the vibrations of the turbine mast three uniaxial accelerometers and a measurement equipment from Brüel & Kjær were applied. The measurement setup is presented in the paper. A comparative analysis of the registered data in the time and time-frequency domains was performed. Results depict changes in the recorded signals in time and frequency under different meteorological conditions, i.e. for different wind speed values. Based on the achieved results significant differences in the mast vibrations of the two kinds of wind turbines were stated.