Design and Development of Portable Wind Energy System

Project Title

Design and Development of Portable Wind Energy System

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

We propose design and development of a portable wind turbine that generates electrical power by the help of mini DC generator for small purposes. The design of wind turbine with the generator is done on the basis to make the production of electricity more efficiently and portable. The portability of the wind turbine can turn production of electricity in remote areas feasible and more environmental friendly. Selection of design is done after several studies regarding wind turbines, its properties, classifications, and wind profile of Pakistan. The selected design is a compact combination of two profound wind turbine blades design namely Savonius and Darrieus. Another important property of wind turbine is to assure good efficiency, which can be achieved by the selection of airfoil type which for our project we have chosen NACA 0018 airfoil design. Simulation of the proposed project is done using a computer program Solidworks. Proposed project is designed in Solidworks and simulation is done in MATLAB. To give the simulated model a physical shape, we will print the 3D model using 3D printer. In the end, assembling and outdoor test will be done to check the efficiency.

Project Objectives

The objectives of this project is as the following:

1. To design and develop portable wind energy system.
2. To compare the performance of proposed wind turbine with other existing wind turbines.
3. To design and fabricate a prototype of the wind turbine using a Rapid Prototype Technique and other fabrication process.

The study for this project will be focus on the design and development of the blade for mini wind turbine. The study will be test on:

1. Type of design and profile of the blade.
2. Diameter of the blade.
3. Feasibility of the design to the wind rotor function.
4. 3D CAD Modelling/Mechanical design in SOLIDWORKS or CATIA.
5. Experimental implementation and simulation in SolidWorks.
6. Designing of appropriate control system for the rotational control of blades of turbine.
7. Making the geographic environment and testing the wind turbine (Go to Goal).

Project Implementation Method

Starting our project with going through the research papers finding out the previous researches done on small scale wind turbine. After having thorough glance over a number of research papers, journal articles and conference papers we got to know about different types of wind turbine their functions and usages depending on our desired output. As we acknowledged the characteristics of wind speed in Pakistan we found out the average wind speed here reaches up to 7 m/s. We set our aim to achieve a design that should run at this low speed. On the basis of portability and miniature design we preferred to select the two types of VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbines) named as Darrieus and Savonius. The selection of these two designs are having reasons as the Savonius wind turbine type helps to provide initial torque and the Darrieus wind turbine will help to keep the turbine rotating at a constant speed. After inserting the values in the equation as mentioned below:

                                                     P = 1/2 ?*A* (V)3

Where

? = air density

V = The velocity of the wind

Cp = power coefficient

A = Swept area which is equal to:

                                                       A = 2*R*H  

Where R is the radius of the blade and H is the height of the blade.

We become aware for the output power which we can get through this small wind turbine. After going through the theoretical work we started to implement all the calculated parameters on the simulation and 3D design of our turbine. First of all, we sketched a rough drawing of the preferred design and then we moved towards the 3D design. For the project simulation and 3D Design we chose to go with programs like MATLAB and Solidworks. Yet we have gone through the 3D design of the turbine implementing all the calculated parameters. The formula is simulated in Simulink in MATLAB getting an approximate output power of 25 watts from the proposed system. The rest of the project is based on 3D printing of the turbine and selection of the electrical parts for the DC-DC booster, charge controller, battery and DC generator. When all of the parts get available then we will move towards connecting all the parts and forming it into a compact portable system. When the system is ready we move to check it in outdoor environment to get the result.

Benefits of the Project

The projects bares many benefits not only helping the environment but also bringing convenience in our life. Our aim for a cleaner and unpolluted environment can be achieved when we will start using more of the renewable energy and this project will be addition in the row of sources of electricity which uses renewable energy for its production.

1. The system can help produce electricity for the important gadgets that we use i.e. smartphones, laptops, torches, walkie-talkies, and other daily life equipment.
2. The production of electricity would not stop during the night as it needs wind to keep it rotating and harvesting electricity from wind.
3. The portable design makes it easy to carry with oneself anywhere they go making it reliable and environmental friendly.
4. Keeping the portability in view, people going for research and task in remote areas can take it with them anywhere they go and use the communicating devices carefree.
5. The system can be proved helpful for the soldiers when they move to any deserted place so they require any source of electricity to set communication devices.
6. By achieving good result after accomplishing the project we can contribute in prevention of climate change in small scale if not massively.
7. At last we are proud to say that this project will contribute its part in achieving the SDGs (sustainable development goals) set by the UN by providing a pollution free electricity to its users.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The technical parts of the project solely depends over the design of the turbine. As the project is based on the efficiency of the turbine, as much efficient the turbine becomes the more effortless electricity is produced. The turbine will be efficient if we keep the parameters according the power output formula of the turbine. A slide change of the parameter can result into failure of the project. When the calculation is done regarding the design of the turbine we then start to design a gear box to be connected with the turbine which will help to increase the number of rotation for the alternator. Then we move to design a DC-DC booster keeping in view to get a constant 5/12/24 volts of output no matter how fast or how slow the turbine is rotating. The charge controller will be designed in such a way that it may keep charging the battery until the battery reaches to a charge limit of 85% as further charging of the battery can damage the battery’s health. When the battery is charged up to that specific limit then the charge controller may automatically discontinue the charging process. Combining all these components in a box that should be easily carried by a person is another challenge for us to face. Designing a box that may easily fit all these components without losing the portability factor will be our aim. And at end the outlet for the supply of electricity will be designed keeping in view the charging cables and their plug type i.e. USB type C or a simple USB for charging the devices.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other IndustriesCore Technology 3D/4D PrintingOther Technologies Clean TechSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate ActionRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	76950
3D printing of Wind turbine blades and other parts	Equipment	1	45000	45000
DC Generator	Equipment	1	3000	3000
Gear Box	Equipment	1	2000	2000
DC-DC Booster	Equipment	1	800	800
Charge Controller	Equipment	1	1500	1500
Battery	Equipment	1	2800	2800
Stationary	Miscellaneous	8	600	4800
Printing	Miscellaneous	35	110	3850
Wires and Cables	Equipment	40	30	1200
Mechanical Shaft	Equipment	1	3000	3000
Manufacturing of Portable Cart/Trolley	Equipment	1	8000	8000
Other (Over Head)	Miscellaneous	1	1000	1000