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Design of a Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine

MUN VAWT DESIGN

Group 11
Jonathan Clarke
Luke Hancox
Daniel MacKenzie
Matthew Whelan
 INTRODUCTION

 For many remote communities,

electrical power is provided by
diesel generators
 Wind power is a viable option to
offset the cost of fuel
 Our goal is to design a vertical-axis
wind turbine specifically for
operation in remote communities in
Newfoundland and Labrador

Image Credits: The Telegram

 PROJECT GOALS

 Work in conjunction with diesel generators

 Simple design to reduce manufacturing costs and maintenance

issues
 Sized to provide required energy with the ability to be shipped
to remote/isolated areas
 Able to account for variable wind conditions in the target area

 Design will focus on aerodynamic and structural analysis

 BENEFITS OF A VERTICAL AXIS DESIGN

 Heavy drivetrain components are located at the base

 Easier to maintain

 They operate from winds in any direction

 No yaw system required

 Generate less noise than horizontal-axis turbines

 The characteristics of VAWT designs make them favourable for

offshore environments
 WEATHER DATA

 Hourly wind speed data in the target area was collected from
Environment Canada
 Period from September 2012 to September 2013
 Average wind speed is around 18 km/h, or 5 m/s

 Records of maximum wind gust intensity and duration were also

available
 Maximum gust speed was 120 km/h, or 34 m/s
 SAMPLE WIND DATA

WIND SPEED STATISTICS

Season Year Winter Spring Summer Fall
Average Speed (m/s) 5.24 5.89 4.79 4.31 5.98
Median Speed (m/s) 4.17 5.28 4.17 3.61 5.28
Maximum Speed (m/s) 27.22 27.22 20.56 17.50 24.17
 VAWT SIZING

 Average power consumption in Newfoundland and Labrador

homes in January is 3.8kW (according to Statistics Canada)
 100kW will provide enough energy for ~25 homes

 Turbine parts should be able to be shipped via aircraft or boat

 Nameplate capacity of a turbine is usually the maximum it will

generate
 Different wind conditions lead to different generation rates
 STATE-OF-THE-ART

 VAWT Types

 Airfoils
 NACA 0018

 DU 06-W-200
 STATE-OF-THE-ART

 Number of Blades

 Solidity
 Measurement of blade area over rotor area

 Concentrator
 VAWT CONFIGURATIONS

 Two main configurations: Savonius and Darrieus

 Savonius is drag driven  Darrieus is lift driven

 High torque, low speed  High speed, high efficiency

DARRIUS CONFIGURATIONS

Source: A Retrospective of VAWT technology (2012), H. Sutherland et. al

 PRELIMINARY DESIGN

 Based on preliminary research, the general configuration of the

turbine design was selected

Criteria Optimal Choice Alternatives

Configuration H-Rotor Darrieus Full Darrieus, V-Rotor Darrieus, Savonius
# of Blades 3 2 to 5
Airfoil DU 06-W-200 NACA-Series Airfoils
Solidity 0.35 0.15 to 0.5

Source: Determination of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Configuration through CFD Simulations
P. Sabaeifard et. al
 PRELIMINARY DESIGN

 A “H-Darrieus” configuration combines the high efficiency of a

Darrieus turbine with the simplicity of the “H” configuration
 A 3-bladed design increases rotor stability, eliminates
symmetrical loading and reduces torque ripple in the drive train
 Based on research findings, a DU 06-W-200 airfoil and a solidity
of 0.35 should be selected
 NEXT STEPS

 First phase of the project is complete

 Preliminary research and concept selection

 Second phase will be from February 7th to March 7th

 Preliminary aerodynamic modelling and structural design
 Selection of generator and ancillary components

 Third phase will be from March 7th to April 4th

 Detailed aerodynamic modelling and final design of structure
 Economic analysis
 Prototype construction if time permits
 Final deliverable will be a detailed aerodynamic model
 
MUN VAWT DESIGN
ENGI 8926 Mechanical Design Project II

QUESTIONS?

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