Permanent magnet Vernier machines for direct-drive offshore wind power: benefits and challenges

Permanent magnet Vernier (PM-V) machines, at low power levels (few kWs), have shown a great potential to improve the torque density of existing direct-drive PM machines without much compromising on efficiency or making the machine structure more complicated. An improved torque density is very desirable for offshore wind power applications where the size of the direct-drive machine is an increasing concern. However, the relatively poor power factors of the PM-V machines will increase the power converter rating and hence cost. The objective of this paper is to review the benefits and challenges of PM-V machines for direct-drive offshore wind power applications. The review has been presented considering the system-level (direct-drive generator + converter) performance comparison between the surface-mounted permanent magnet Vernier (SPM-V) machines and the conventional SPM machines. It includes the indepth discussion on the challenges facing the PM-V machines when they are scaled up for multi-MW offshore wind power application. Other PM-V topologies discussed in literature have also been reviewed to asses their suitability for offshore wind power application.