Power generation using vertical axis wind turbine and solar panel
The rapid depletion and expensive cost of fossil fuel resources and environmental concerns have diverted our minds to renewable energy resources (RES) as the energy sources of the future. Among the various renewable resources, solar and wind energy are two of the most viable renewable energy sources
2025-06-28 16:34:33 - Adil Khan
Power generation using vertical axis wind turbine and solar panel
Project Area of Specialization Shared EconomyProject SummaryThe rapid depletion and expensive cost of fossil fuel resources and environmental concerns have diverted our minds to renewable energy resources (RES) as the energy sources of the future. Among the various renewable resources, solar and wind energy are two of the most viable renewable energy sources, hence research work is being done to integrate these sources together to take advantage of their interdependent characters.
All renewable energy sources have drawbacks. One of the most frequent drawbacks is their dependence on factors such as weather and climate. Hence to overcome these intermittent and uncontrollable issues of RES, they are integrated together and then connected to energy storage devices to build a hybrid power system (HPS).
The HPS has caught the attention of energy sectors considerably is in recent years. It seems to be feasible solutions in order to provide reliability and continuity of supply with improved system efficiency along with reduced storage requirements for standalone applications.
In this project, a small model of HPS by interconnecting solar power generation and vertical axis wind turbine power generation is proposed. A 12V, 4Ah lead-acid battery is used to store solar power. A charge controlling system is used which control the amount of charge from the respective source to the battery. A monitoring system is introduced to display the status of the system.
Project Objectives- The integration is much easier than the integration in AC bus It is easier to enhance the capacity of the system by adding additional DC power generating sources like PV, and wind turbines.
- The integration of renewable technologies reduces operating expenses when compared to purely conventional generation, while also optimizing system reliability, efficiency, and flexibility.
- Wind and solar have minimal operating and maintenance costs once installed. They displace greenhouse gases and other pollutants and contribute strongly to sustainability initiatives hence reduce the carbon emission in the atmosphere.
- Energy storage is a key enabler of hybrid microgrids, thanks to rapidly advancing technology, storage systems could solve several problems.
- Microgrids can be quickly and cost-effectively implemented in remote locations beyond the reach of the utility grid or where the grid is unstable, hence rural rectification is possible.
- Hybrid microgrids are well suited to a host of applications, including individual buildings, resorts, mine sites, remote villages, small islands, and others.
- DC Distribution System Reduced the converter stages as well as conversion losses at the source and load end.
- DC system has no inductance, as a result, the voltage drop in the DC system is less than that of the AC system for the same load and hence a better voltage regulation.
- A DC system has no skin effect so we can utilize the entire cross-section area of the line conductor.
Project is about the generation of energy by using PV plates and vertical axis wind turbine. Basically, this hybrid system is designed to implement in rural areas. Such areas which are not connected directly to national grids. These areas do not have the facility of electricity. Also, Hybrid microgrids are well suited to a host of applications, including individual buildings, resorts, mine sites, remote villages, small islands, and others.
Electrical energy can be provided to such areas by standalone grid “DC microgrid”. A microgrid can be defined as a power cluster of distributed generation, load, and energy storage device accumulated together in the vicinity to each other. It gives the opportunity to utilize renewable energy sources for a green and clean environment.
These stand-alone grids can be implemented by the integration of PV plates and wind turbine. The charge controllers are used to, maintain the charging of a battery.
Project Implementation Method is shown in the block diagram:
Hybrid Direct Current (D.C.) microgrid using Photovoltaic Panels (PV) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) is designed and fabricated in such a way that it is ecologically friendly, it does not produce any greenhouse gases and the project is based on renewable energy recourses.
Alternate Current (A.C.) system does not store the electrical power, but DC microgrids have become an attractive option for the DC storage system, its storage capacity plays a vital role. When a blackout or voltage sag occurs in the utility grid, it does not affect the DC microgrid due to the decentralization of grid there is no need for synchronization with the utility grid.
The major advantage of the system is that it meets the basic power requirements of non-electrified remote areas, where grid power has not yet reached. The power generated from both wind and solar components is stored in a battery bank for future use whenever it is required. Hybrid microgrids can be a cost-effective solution to supply affordable and reliable electricity to rural and remote communities, given their unique feature of using locally available generation resources to supply the specific demand needs.
The additional benefit of solar and wind hybrid system is that when solar and wind power production are used together, the reliability of the system is enhanced. Furthermore, the size of battery storage can be reduced slightly as there is less reliance on one method of power production. Often, when there is no sun, there is plenty of wind, and when wind speed is often low in periods like summer, eventually the sun is at its best and vice versa. These different patterns can make hybrid systems the best option for electric power generation. The project has the ability to provide continuity of power as both sources are complimentary in nature.
A DC system requires less insulation than an AC system because of less potential stress for the same working voltage, hence it saves the insulation cost to a great extent. The power losses in the DC systems are small than AC systems and DC system does not have a skin effect issue. DC loads are more energy efficient than the AC load and decrease the overall energy demand of the residential and commercial buildings.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableHybrid systems are usually built for the design of systems with the lowest possible cost and with maximum reliability. The system components are as follows;
PV (Photo-voltaic) cells: Solar panels are the medium to convert solar energy into electrical energy. PV cells are made up of semiconductor structures. Sun rays are absorbed with this material and electrons are emitted from the atoms. This release activates a current. Photovoltaic is known as the process between radiation absorbed and the electricity induced. Solar power is converted into electric power by a common principle called the photoelectric effect. The solar cell array or panel consists of an appropriate number of solar cell modules connected in series or parallel based on the required current and voltage.
WIND POWER: wind energy is a renewable source of energy. Wind turbines are used to convert wind power into electric power. The electric generator inside the turbine converts the mechanical power into electric power. Wind turbine systems are available ranging from 50W to 3-4 MW. The energy production by wind turbines depends on the wind velocity acting on the turbine. Wind power can feed both energy production and demand in rural areas. It is used to run a windmill which in turn drives a wind generator or wind turbine to produce electricity.
BATTERIES: To store the electricity that is generated from wind or solar power. Any required capacity can be obtained by series or parallel connections of the batteries. The battery that provides the most valuable operation in the solar and wind power systems are maintenance free dry type and utilizes the special electrolytes.
MICROCONTROLLER: IT compares the input of both the power system and gives the signal to the relay and charges the DC Battery. Depending on the environmental conditions, the required energy for the system can be supplied either separately from the wind or solar systems or using these two resources at the same time.
Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemType of Industry Energy , Manufacturing Technologies Clean TechSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Partnerships to achieve the GoalRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 78660 | |||
| DC Motor | Equipment | 1 | 18000 | 18000 |
| Solar Plates | Equipment | 2 | 12000 | 24000 |
| Charge Controller (Wind) | Equipment | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Charge Controller (Solar) | Equipment | 1 | 2500 | 2500 |
| DC Boost Converter | Equipment | 1 | 1550 | 1550 |
| Battery | Equipment | 1 | 12300 | 12300 |
| Multimeter | Equipment | 1 | 650 | 650 |
| Anemometer | Equipment | 1 | 5050 | 5050 |
| DC Load | Equipment | 42 | 65 | 2730 |
| Turbine Blades | Miscellaneous | 3 | 460 | 1380 |
| Turbine Frame | Miscellaneous | 1 | 7500 | 7500 |