Design and Analysis of Wind Energy A New Approach

Abstract Harnessing the power of the wind promises to be one of the new "clean" energy sources of the future. In this science fair project, you will build a model of a wind-driven power generator and measure its output. You will obtain data using a laser tachometer (to measure rotor speed) and a multimeter (to measure the electricity produced). By doing this science fair project, you will gain first-hand experience in how the energy of the wind is converted into the energy that arrives at your home as electricity. The objective is to measure the current output of a small windmill generator and relate the power to the rate of rotation of the windmill's rotor. Introduction Wind is an alternative source of energy to petroleum-based fuels. A few reasons why include that energy from wind does not produce greenhouse gases, is widely available in many parts of the world, and is inexhaustible. Wind power is capable of becoming a major contributor to America's electricity supply in the future, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy. The report, referenced in the Bibliography, investigates the possibility of wind energy fulfilling up to 20 percent of the energy needs in the U.S. by the year 2030, up from about 2 percent in 2009. Wind energy is converted to electrical energy by windmill generators. In this science fair project, your windmill generator will be a small electric motor, when wind makes the blades of the windmill spin, the motor acts as a generator. A generator uses the properties of electromagnetic induction to produce a voltage. This means that if you have a conductor surrounded by magnets, and one of those parts is rotating relative to the other, a voltage is produced in the conductor. Voltage is like electrical pressure it is the force that moves electricity, also called electrical current, from one point to another. When there is a voltage present, electrical charges in a conductor will move, creating a current. In terms of a windmill, its generator has magnets and coiled wire. The shaft from the windmill rotor connects to an assembly of permanent magnets that surrounds the coil of wire. When the rotor spins the shaft, the shaft spins the assembly of magnets, generating voltage in the coil of wire. That voltage drives electrical current through wires attached to the motor. Residential Wind Turbine Basics According to the Solar Living Source, small-scale wind turbine use in the United States is growing over 60 percent a year as of 2007. A home wind turbine is often used in combination with a photovoltaic system, as most of the components needed for wind power electricity generation and use are also needed for solar power. There is no standard for rated speeds. A 10 kilowatt system like the Bergy Excel provides 10 kilowatts at optimal wind speed; the manufacturer may not make it clear what optimal is for the home wind turbine. The capacity factor of wind turbines is typically 20 to 40 percent. This means with a 10-kilowatt system

running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, produces 87,600 kilowatts a year. This number, divided by a capacity factor of 30 percent, brings actual annual production to 26,280 kilowatts. The math is shown below. (10) x (365 x 24) = 87,600 x .30= 26,280 Vertical and Horizontal Axis Residential Turbines

When converting wind kinetic energy to kinetic energy of rotation, both types use the same basic method. Smaller rotors associated with residential wind turbines as opposed to commercial wind turbines make the use of vertical axis turbines attractive. According to these turbines generate electricity at lower speeds, are more efficient and do not harm bats and birds. The more often seen horizontal axis turbines display arms between 10 to 24 feet in diameter. An important feature of these is the yaw mechanism that keeps the rotor completely parallel to the wind. Keeping the rotor parallel allows more of the kinetic energy to go through the rotor, making a for a more efficient conversion in the generator. Preventing yaw also prevents problems with the cables that transport electricity from the generator down the vertical tower. Generating Useful Electricity with Wind Power A good rule of thumb is not to place your wind turbine less than 30 feet over the height of anything blocking wind. Using a battery bank requires a charge controller to prevent overcharging and for battery life optimization. Residential wind turbine-generated electricity can be stored in a battery bank or tied to the grid. Production of electricity using wind turbines results in DC electricity, while most homes need AC for it to be of much use; thus, an inverter box is necessary. Inverting AC to DC using a box involves choosing an appropriate size box for the wattage you will be converting and wiring the box to the battery bank. It will also be tied to the meter if the system is hooked to the grid. The inverter uses a transformer to change the line of DC into a sine wave of AC. It can then be used for typical 120-volt household application.