Moving strips vertical axis wind turbine for domestic power generation

Abstract

The wind energy is identified as Abstract: one of the promising energy option in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is important to use proper technologies for efficient energy capturing in order to minimize cost of energy. Small scale wind turbines are usually installed in constricted places (particularly in urban areas) where wind flow is usually turbulent and difficult to predict. Savonious type Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) are significant for home systems due to several reasons such as good response to turbulent winds, high initial torque, low cost, low noise, less maintenance. Generally, VAWTs are less efficient than Horizontal Axis Wind turbines (HAWTs), one reason behind this issue is; applied drag force on opposite side of wind vanes retard the generated torque on the wind rotor. Savonious wind rotorconsists with vertical moving strips is proposed in this study. In this concept one side of wind rotor is facing to the wind direction in order to capture maximum energy while other side of the rotor is edging the strips to minimize opposite torque. Main objective of this study is to introduce a cost effective wind home system. As proposed wind turbine blades are simple flat plates and it would be affordable for small scale power generations. A prototype of proposed VAWT was used to predict the performances and analysed in this paper.