Wind Speeds
Undergraduate Category: Renewable Energy Degree Level: Bachelor Abstract ID# 1245
Cost Effective Wind Turbine Characterized by a Furling Mechanism for Low Wind Speeds Juan Lopez, Ronak Padukone, Gyan Prakash, Jim Papadopoulos
ABSTRACT Deriving cost effective adequate power from a consumer level wind turbine requires a cheap wind turbine with large surface area. However, a low cost large wind turbine would not be robust enough to survive high speed wind gusts or storms. An automatic furling mechanism would be necessary to reduce loads and protect the turbine in these high wind speeds. The furling mechanism, our main focus of research, uses wind pressure acting on the turbine to roll the spars, which in turn furl the sails. As the sails furl, the surface area exposed to the wind decreases which in turn decreases the rotation of the turbine. We have prototyped a small scale sample mechanism using 3D printed parts and other low cost inventory. If this approach succeeds, the wind turbine could be made from lower-strength recycled or sustainable materials in order to keep the cost low and more carbon neutral.
Furling Mechanism • Automatic winding of sails • Depowers turbine in high winds • Allows for cheaper material
• • •
Fully Unfurled 3 m/s
Partially Furled 7 m/s
Consumer Level • Average home-owner • Low capital investment • Leads to equal or greater returns
Acknowledgement •
We would like to specifically acknowledge the spring 2014 capstone team whose project we have expanded upon.
Wind Speeds Average wind in Boston listed as Category 3 • 5.1 – 5.6 m/s (11.4 – 12.5 mph) Recorded speeds in MIT study approx. Category 1 • Around 2.7 m/s (6 mph) Led to design wind speed of 3 m/s • Furling increases with wind pressure
Future Work • Wind Tunnel Testing • Large scale prototype • Implement Generator References
•
“Cost Effective Wind Turbine Rotor Optimized for Low Wind Speeds” by: Aidan Carroll, Westy Ford, Ryan Kist, Alex Manley-Helton, and Kaylie McTiernan, Spring 2014 Capstone Final Report
Cost Effective Wind Turbine Characterized by a Furling Mechanism for Low Wind Speeds Juan Lopez, Ronak Padukone, Gyan Prakash, Jim Papadopoulos
ABSTRACT Deriving cost effective adequate power from a consumer level wind turbine requires a cheap wind turbine with large surface area. However, a low cost large wind turbine would not be robust enough to survive high speed wind gusts or storms. An automatic furling mechanism would be necessary to reduce loads and protect the turbine in these high wind speeds. The furling mechanism, our main focus of research, uses wind pressure acting on the turbine to roll the spars, which in turn furl the sails. As the sails furl, the surface area exposed to the wind decreases which in turn decreases the rotation of the turbine. We have prototyped a small scale sample mechanism using 3D printed parts and other low cost inventory. If this approach succeeds, the wind turbine could be made from lower-strength recycled or sustainable materials in order to keep the cost low and more carbon neutral.
Furling Mechanism • Automatic winding of sails • Depowers turbine in high winds • Allows for cheaper material
• • •
Fully Unfurled 3 m/s
Partially Furled 7 m/s
Consumer Level • Average home-owner • Low capital investment • Leads to equal or greater returns
Acknowledgement •
We would like to specifically acknowledge the spring 2014 capstone team whose project we have expanded upon.
Wind Speeds Average wind in Boston listed as Category 3 • 5.1 – 5.6 m/s (11.4 – 12.5 mph) Recorded speeds in MIT study approx. Category 1 • Around 2.7 m/s (6 mph) Led to design wind speed of 3 m/s • Furling increases with wind pressure
Future Work • Wind Tunnel Testing • Large scale prototype • Implement Generator References
•
“Cost Effective Wind Turbine Rotor Optimized for Low Wind Speeds” by: Aidan Carroll, Westy Ford, Ryan Kist, Alex Manley-Helton, and Kaylie McTiernan, Spring 2014 Capstone Final Report
