Design and Fabrication of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Wind turbine is the cleanest of all the alternative energy sources of the world with least environmental impact factors. Wind turbines can be broadly divided into two types, Horizontal Axis wind turbine and vertical axis wind turbine. Horizontal axis wind turbine has a requirement of large
2025-06-28 16:26:23 - Adil Khan
Design and Fabrication of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Project Area of Specialization Mechanical EngineeringProject SummaryWind turbine is the cleanest of all the alternative energy sources of the world with least
environmental impact factors. Wind turbines can be broadly divided into two types, Horizontal Axis
wind turbine and vertical axis wind turbine. Horizontal axis wind turbine has a requirement of large
wind speeds and thus can be installed only in high wind corridors, whereas vertical axis wind turbine
can operate on relatively low wind speeds and has quieter operations. Seemingly, the vast scope of
application of VAWT across Pakistan, this project is aimed for design and fabrication of a small
VAWT.
The work will include the literature review of the research work done on this topic and the study of
related current commercial and innovative trends. After initial literature review, the students will
design the Wind turbine, which will encompass areas of wind to mechanical energy conversions,
structural integration and support, mechanical to electrical energy conversion and its transfer to end
user. The fabrication work will start from market survey, workshops survey, cost analysis including
both the material cost and manufacturing cost, applying for financial assistance from different
sources, procurement of material and then manufacturing of wind turbine. This will be followed by
running and testing of wind turbine. In the end, suggestions will be given for further development of
VAWT.
The software that we will learn and use will be Solid Works, MS Projects, ANSYS
Fluent, and MATLAB.
- It is the need of present day to look for such sources for power generation, which can be replenished, and wind stands out to be one of the important source.
- With the increase in usage of fossils fuel without the discovery of new reserves, it is the need of the present day to invest in renewable energy sources such as Tidal energy, Geothermal and especially wind.
- Therefore, our aim is to introduce a VAWT with less cost in the commercial market.
- Therefore, we are hoping to captivate the small industries and localities of remote areas where access to electricity is still a big problem.
Implementation:
VAWT attracts engineers for such applications, which involves the generation of localized electricity. It can be applicable for such application where gusty winds are observed in weather condition i.e. Coastal area, it is also beneficial for such areas where installation space is a big constraint because of the fact that it is small in size as compare to HAWT and it can be installed in a group closed together and can be installed on roof of residential and cooperate buildings. VAWT do not require high wind speed it is the reason, which enables it to generate electricity on low heights. It can also be installed on Highways, Bus stands, Telecommunication Towers and all those sites where wind potential and Installation Space is a concerned.
Benefits of the Project- Currently Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine are dominant in Wind energy market because of their high power generation characteristics.
- However VAWT has several benefits over HAWT, these turbines are capable to self-start and can be operated without any consideration of wind direction.
- VAWT wind turbines can be operated in low wind speed, which in result eliminate the need of its installation in coastal areas.
- With such benefits of VAWT, it can generate localized electricity, which will contribute in reducing energy shortfall in those areas where power transmission is a big problem.
DESIGN:
Among different designs of vertical axis wind turbine, the design, which we are considering, is Savonius Wind Turbine due to such benefits, which are mentioned below. Furthermore, this design
is also suitable to meet our load requirement. Another reason of its preference is savonius design
has high solidity ratio and can develop high starting torque
Savonius axis wind turbine can be designed in two ways:
1. provided with overlapping
2. Without overlapping
Out of these two ways of designing savonius VAWT, Design with overlapping is preferred because of the fact that in this way wind potential is utilized at its maximum without being deflected back.
Following are the further technical benefits of our design:
- Works on Drag Force
- Self-Starting
- Low noise level due to Tip Speed ranges from 0-1
- Simple Design
- Wind potential is utilized at its maximum due to overlapping blades
- Efficiency is about 20 to 25%.
MATERIAL:
For blades, the material, which we are using, is Aluminum because of the following reasons:
- Density of Aluminum is about 2710 kg/m3.
- Yield strength is nearly 55 MPa.
- Fatigue level in aluminum is also very less.
- It can be easily available with moderate cost.
GENERATOR SELECTION:
For the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy, we picked a DC motor as generator
with following specifications:
- Rated voltage: DC 90V / 180V (optional)
- Rated current:8A / 4A
- No-load speed:4000 RPM
- Rated power:1HP (750W)
- Motor diameter:82mm
CFD ANALYSIS:
For Simulation and CFD analysis, we used ANSYS Workbench.
FABRICATION:
After carrying out all the aforementioned work, Fabrication will be done.
Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other IndustriesCore Technology Clean TechOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for People, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life on LandRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 79200 | |||
| Aluminium Sheet. | Equipment | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Machinining Service | Miscellaneous | 1 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Gas Tungsten Arc Welding | Miscellaneous | 1 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Bearings | Equipment | 2 | 1000 | 2000 |
| Bearing Housing (UCF204) | Equipment | 2 | 500 | 1000 |
| Gear Box | Equipment | 1 | 4500 | 4500 |
| DC Generator (1.4 KVA) | Equipment | 1 | 12000 | 12000 |
| Exide GL/GR50 Battery | Equipment | 1 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Mild Steel Frame | Equipment | 1 | 5200 | 5200 |
| Aluminum Shaft | Equipment | 1 | 2500 | 2500 |
| Iron Pipe | Equipment | 1 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Polymer Coating | Equipment | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Foundation | Equipment | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Data Logger for Wind | Equipment | 1 | 25000 | 25000 |