Design and model fabrication of vertical axis wind turbine

The ever-increasing gap between the demand and supply of energy shows that energy is one of the major concerns of the world today. This issue demands alternative, innovative and efficient solutions for producing electrical energy. Pakistan has a very large gap between this demand and supply and many

Project Title

Design and model fabrication of vertical axis wind turbine

Project Area of Specialization

Mechanical Engineering

Project Summary

The ever-increasing gap between the demand and supply of energy shows that energy is one of the major concerns of the world today. This issue demands alternative, innovative and efficient solutions for producing electrical energy. Pakistan has a very large gap between this demand and supply and many areas have still not been electrified yet. Pakistan is producing the electricity using the fossil fuels (like coal etc.) and hydro power. The primary focus of this project is design and model a wind turbine having blade design with optimum efficiency in local conditions of isolated desert areas of Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan.

In the current research vertical axis wind turbine is chosen for design and fabrication due to the fact that it can be used for small scale electricity at lesser cost. Moreover, these are capable of capturing wind from all directions and need not to be directed into the wind. Initially, vertical axis design required a power source to overcome its high torque for initial rotation. In this project, first step was to select the blade designs for that purpose, NACA profiles were the best source, NACA 0018 was chosen as it was used for the desert conditions in different regions of the world. Then to design that profile in Solid Works and Design Modular were used and for meshing hexa-dominant method and for the CFD analysis different methods like SST-transition, k-omega, k-epsilon methods were used by using Ansys software. Then a model wing of wood was tested on the Subsonic wind tunnel (available in the department) and then noted down the lift and drag force. Now the remaining work is to design and fabricate the prototype of the vertical axis wind turbine, so that experimental test could be performed and may able to compare the results with the software work.

Project Objectives

This final year project’s objective is to design and model fabrication of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) that can be used for testing and experiments in local scenario as a test bed. The model can later be scaled up to harness electricity generation through wind in isolated desert regions of Pakistan. The project would serve as a basic model for a large scale model to be isolated. The objectives of this project include:

• Design and analysis of blades of vertical axis wind turbine using low wind speed airfoils according to local wind conditions
• Comparison of CFD analysis of vertical axis wind turbine with subsonic wind mill analysis

Project Implementation Method

• Cad modeling

Vertical axis wind turbine is designed on solid works. The main components of vertical axis turbine are blades, shaft, radial arm, bearing, generator, tower(base) etc.

• CFD analysis

First of all, blade design was the first step, for that purpose different NACA profiles were selected but regarding the local wind conditions NACA 0018 was selected. Then using the boundary conditions of Subsonic Wind Tunnel which is available in the department, all the boundary conditions were applied on the Design Modular and then designed the wing of the chosen blade. Then by using the Hexa-dominant method meshing was performed on the design. Then different methods like SST- transition, epsilon and k-omega methods were used for performing the analysis for the calculation of the lift and drag force and compared the results with the experimental results.    

• Fabrication

Fabrication of vertical axis wind turbine is required to perform the experimental test, to validate the results obtained through the CFD analysis.

• Experimental test

After fabrication of the vertical axis wind turbine experimental tests will be performed at different flow rates of wind speed by varying angle of attack and tip speed ratio to check the efficiency improvement.

Benefits of the Project

• The turbine is independent of direction of wind and can easily operate for wind flowing in any direction as it catches wind vertically to rotate the blades.
• Scalability: The design can be translated to other sizes, even as small as what will fit on an urban rooftop. In cities, there may not be room for all renewable energy technologies, but vertical turbines provide a viable alternative to hydrocarbon energy sources.
• Vertical axis wind turbine are complete pollution free and hence, a clean source of energy.
• Local small scale independent off grid units Advantages of an off the grid system are that you are completely energy independent, meaning that you don't get the negatives that come with using the main utility grid, such as power outages. An off the grid system can be installed virtually anywhere, as long as enough wind speed.  It stores the electricity provided so you will always have electricity to use provided that there is enough stored. You will not be receiving any power bills at all with an off the grid system because it is independent, making it a free power solution for your home.
• Wind is available freely everywhere more it does not cause any kind of cost for fuel(like fossil fuels) that’s why it’s a Cheaper source of energy 
• Maintenance of vertical axis wind turbine is very low .
• By using a vertical axis wind turbine we can supply electricity to distant desert areas, where it is difficult to supply electricity by using the grid system, to meet the needs of locals/small villages.
• More easily installed compared to other wind turbine types.

• Vertical axis wind turbines are easy to transport due to small size.

• Vertical axis wind turbines are equipped with low-speed blades, lessening the risk to people and birds. Function in extreme weather, with variable winds conditions and desert storms.

Permissible where taller structures are prohibited. Quieter to operate, so they don’t disturb people in residential neighborhoods

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Main purpose of this project is to deliver electricity to the local desert areas at local desired conditions. It promotes clean energy in the environment as mostly all industries and government also support the clean energy projects. As a result, this project will be fruitful to provide cheap electricity to rural areas. A vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) is a type of wind turbine where the main rotor shaft is set transverse to the wind (but not necessarily vertically) while the main components are located at the base of the turbine. This arrangement allows the generator and gearbox to be located close to the ground, facilitating service and repair. VAWTs do not need to be pointed into the wind, which removes the need for wind-sensing and orientation mechanisms.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Core Technology

Clean Tech

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action

Required Resources

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