Pr Motional Associated Projects: Green Energy Management

oje Energy
ct Generation
Na and Recovery
me
:
Sp Russell Chair Executive Management Dr. Ton Cheatham
on of Authorization:
sor Manufacturin
: g Excellence
Cli ETIS Client Contact: Dr. Walter Boles
en
t
De
pt:
Pr Dr. De ETIS Date Assigned: 06/07/04
oje pt:
Ch
ct arl
Le es
ad
Pe
:
rry
Pr De Date Assigned:
oje pt:
ct
Le
ad
:
Priority: For Organization High X Medium Lo
w
For Business Area Hig X Medium Low
h

Business Case:
(“WHY” should this project be done? Identify the specific current and future business needs
that this project meets. State how the proposed project aligns with the strategic objectives
of the business area and organization.)
Innovative methods to save energy are needed with continued escalation in energy costs. One area is in
automotive applications where the objective is to increase the efficiency in miles per gallon(mpg).
Moving an average vehicle through still air at a velocity of 70 miles per hour(mph) requires from 30 to
80 horsepower depending on the design and size of the vehicle. This energy is wasted and not
recoverable. One method to recover some of this energy is to utilize a fan or turbine to convert the
moving air to electrical energy. Depending on the size of the fan and generator that is powered by the
moving air, up to 1 to 2 horsepower could be generated at 70 mph. If the air driven generator could
supply the vehicle’s electrical load at highway speeds, this would reduce the load to the gasoline driven
engine thus increasing gas mileage. Average gas mileage could increase up to 5 mpg if a wind driven
generator could supply the electrical energy to the vehicle at highway speeds. This project is to evaluate
the feasibility of this concept. If proven by laboratory measurements, air driven generation of
automotive electrical energy would have a significant impact on fuel usage. In addition, an engineering
project of this type would result in patentable inventions and potential monetary benefit to MTSU. A
successful program would lead to visibility for the University and increased student enrollment. These
objectives are in line with the strategic goals of the University.

Scope /Project Deliverables:

(“WHAT” will the project deliver? Scope answers the question “What will be done on this
project, and what are the products or services that will be provided? Deliverable – What are
the measurable products, components, and services produced by the project? How will you
know when you are “DONE”)
A laboratory-size wind tunnel will be designed and built to provide an adjustable wind velocity from 20 to
70 mph through a circular tube having an 18 inch inner diameter and 8 feet long. A fan driven D.C.
generator will be positioned at one end of the circular tube connected to a suitable resistive load with th
capability to measure generator output current and voltage. Measurements will be taken to determine
the maximum electrical energy generated by the fan driven generator as a function of wind velocity and
fan blade pitch. Maximum electrical energy will be measured for at least three wind velocities and at
least 3 different fan blade pitches making a 3 X 3 matrix of data. The project is complete when all nine
measurements have been taken and documented.

Success Criteria:
(“HOW” will the output of the project be measured from an operational perspective? What
tangible business value will result from doing this project? What must occur in the business
area after delivery for us to say the project was a success??)
Energy data from the measurements will determine if wind driven fan electrical generation is feasible fo
automotive and/ or truck applications. If it is determined that sufficient electrical energy can be
generated by utilizing wind energy at highway speeds, then the next phase of the program would be
initiated: a field test on a vehicle. A positive result in laboratory measurements will also result in a
patent application which could result in monetary benefit to the University. The project is therefore a
success if the data justifies a field test on a vehicle and a patent application for the concept is prepared.

Life Cycle Cost Ramifications:

(What are the long term savings and costs of the project to the business area and
organization?)
The long term savings resulting from this project are reduced dependence on fossil fuel for
transportation. After initial feasibility demonstration costs and costs associated with obtaining a
patent, long term costs to the University are minimal. The University will benefit from royalties paid
by automotive manufacturers to use the idea and also by increased student enrollment from the
visibility of a successful development program.

Impacted Organizational Groups:

(What business areas will be impacted by the project?)
MTSU/ETIS from patent royalties, increased student enrollment, and visibility to the
automotive community.

Options Considered (Technical, Business Process, etc.)

(What other options or solutions were considered to solve the business problem or
opportunity?)
Feasibility was considered using a motor vehicle. This approach was determined to be too costly and
complex compared to a laboratory demonstration of the concept.
Project Assumptions:
(What assumptions or factors could interfere with the project work or compromise the
contribution the project can make to the business area or organization?)
Other projects utilizing the resources needed for this project, such as the prototype shop facilities,
could impact the schedule for this project. Technical concerns such as generator design, fan design
and load resistor could delay the project.

Constraints:
(What factors could negatively affect the performance of the project? Include factors that
affect when an activity can be scheduled, or when a resource can be assigned, etc. )
Improper generator fan design, improper wind generation design, resources not available such
as shop time or mechanical design personnel.

Key Project Issues:

(What are the barriers to project success?)
Limited resources in design and fabrication of all the components of the system. The possibility that
there is insufficient power generated by highway wind velocities to make the project feasible.

Risk Events:
(What events or conditions that, if it occurs, will impact the project objectives, deliverables,
schedule, budget, etc. ?)
Mechanical designer and fabricator sick or on unplanned vacation. Physical limitation to how
much power can be generated from wind velocity at highway speeds.

Next Steps or Actions to Be Taken:

(What are the major steps or actions to be taken to proceed with this project?)
Obtain suitable cylinder for wind tunnel and start design and
assembly of frame.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Responsibilities Performing Organization Vendor Responsibilities

Responsibilities
Approval, funding, personnel Design and Fabrication Components such as high
resources speed fan, variable pitch fan
driving motor, generator, etc
 RESOURCES REQUIRED
Enter as many lines as necessary to identify the number of and type of resources
required for this projec

Resource Type # of Resources Needed

Mechanical designer 1 person, 25% of time

Fabrication technician 1 person, 50% of time

Project Manager 1 Person, 50% of time
Drive motor, drive fan, variable pitch fan, 1 each except for:
generator, wire, connectors, volt meters, power 2 high speed pillow blocks
supply, frame materials, cylinder for wind tunnel, 2 volt meters
wind speed indicator, high speed pillow blocks, 3 variable pitch fans
drive shaft for fan, misc. steel plate for motor and 4 pulleys for drive motor
generator mounts 4 square feet of 1/8 inch steel plate

TRAINING PLANNED
Enter as many lines as necessary to identify all groups of people to be trained, the
type of training they require and the number of people to be trained

Category Of People To Train Type of Training #

Fabrication technician Computer aided design 1
 MAJOR MILESTONES & DATES
Enter as many lines as necessary

Milestone Milesto
Obtain cylinder, design and fabricate main wind tunnel frame 6/25/04
Order drive motor, fan, and necessary mechanical components 6/25/04
Order generator, variable pitch fans 6/25/04
Fabricate drive motor and drive fan mounting hardware and attach 7/29/04
to tunnel frame
Fabricate generator mounting hardware, mount generator and 8/20/04
variable pitch fan
Design and fabricate load resistor for generator 9/24/04

Comments:

Terminology Definitions:

Authorization:
Thomas Cheatham
Signature Project Sponsor Date

Walter Boles
Signature Client Representative Date

Rick Taylor
Signature Client Project Leader Date
 Charles Perry
Signature Project Leader Date