Thermal Analysis of a Low Speed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator for Wind Turbine Applications

When it comes to designing a new electrical machine the thermal analysis should be as important as electromagnetic analysis. The strong connection between the electromagnetic and thermal designs cannot be neglected, as the losses are directly dependent on the temperature and the temperature in the machine is determined by the level of the losses. This paper presents the numerical Finite Element Method simulations and experimental tests results of the thermal behavior of a low speed external rotor permanent magnet synchronous generator used for wind applications.