Vertical Axis Wind Mill Tree

Project Title

Vertical Axis Wind Mill Tree

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

This project titled as “Windmill Tree” is based on new idea which is extracted from the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) systems. This tree could be installed on commercial sites, as well as corridors, backyards and homes. Operates at comparatively low wind speed than conventional wind turbines. The project designed several types of VAWT blades with the goal of maximizing the efficiency of a shrouded turbine. The project also used a simulation software program, SolidWorks, to design and test our blades. All blades are connected with DC generators which gives power output at different wind speed. LabVIEW software is used to monitor the output of individual generators. In Addition to focusing free energy the concept of solar energy also included. We are also including   dual axis solar tracker system. By the combination of two natural resources wind and solar we can be able to meet our energy requirements. We entail the solar panels parallel to the wind turbine blades. We are using boost converter to boost the voltages up to 12v. The produced voltage are 12vDc that we can store in a battery and used as a backup when there is no wind and sunlight. The next step after equalizing the voltages via boost – convertor, is that; 12V battery is then connects to a 12V-AC Invertor. this invertor then inverts 12V-DC into 12V-AC. At this stage, the invertor – output is then fed to the Centre-Tapped transformer.
This transformer steps – up the 12V AC to 220V of AC, in order to meet the consumer demands. 220V is the standard voltage provided to the consumers and for which our devices are designed. In the end, these 220V are supplied to the consumer for their devices to operate. In this project we monitor our generators voltages individually so in case of any fault we can see it through our monitoring device.We are monitoring our project through LabVIEW and Arduino. By the interfacing if LabVIEW and Arduino we will meet the requirements of monitoring. LabVIEW and Arduino will receive the outputs of each individual Aero – leaf and then display the generation – status of the all Aero – leaves.

Project Objectives

Windmill tree is designed to produce electrical energy from turbines at small scale from single turbine at low air speed and then synchronizes these all generators for large power generation.

Other purpose of this project is that this windmill tree looks like a natural tree for beauty and adorable look. Our motive to produce cost effective energy. The main objective is to utilize wind energy (non-conventional energy sources) for the generation of electricity. VAWMT is environment friendly power production source.

To focus on energy generation where it is most needed, using different approaches and locations, respecting the environment and contributing significantly to the well-being of society. Microgeneration technologies, especially the ones based on renewables, have the potential to reduce built environment related C02 emissions coupled with reductions in consumers' electricity costs and it generates continuous power from wind and solar (day and night).And also The aim of our projects is to utilize the maximum solar energy through solar panel. For this a digital based automatic sun tracking system is proposed. This project helps the solar power generating equipment to get the maximum sunlight automatically there by increasing the efficiency of the system. The solar panel tracks the sun automatically for maximum intensity of light. Also our goal o control environmental pollution, preserve the non-renewable source of energy like petrol, diesel etc. To take up energy access programs for rural and remote areas through renewable energy and to promote integrated power generation projects.

Project Implementation Method

The methodology applied to this project can be divided into six phases. These phases are

• Information gathering
• Concept generation,
• Model generation
• Model analysis
• refinement
• Concept selection and verification.

Prior any appropriate solution can be developed, a thorough investigation has to be conducted in order to find out what solutions have already been proposed(information gathering).
Once these solutions have been analyzed and the team has an understanding of why the respective solutions are not currently being implemented, a solution generation phase is taking place. Here various solutions are presented and evaluated against criteria and constraints (concept generation). Solution concepts are then modeling
The results of the models are then analyzed and the model, as well as solution parameters, may be tweaked(model analysis and refinement).
Once the team has satisfactorily modeled all solution concepts of interest, the concept that performs best analytically, in addition to meeting all criteria and constraints, is selected (concept selection).

The analytical model may then be verified experimentally, using a small-scale modeling scheme or through a full-scale experimental model.

VAWMT Is further divided into two phases Wind Phase and Solar Tracking phase.

Vertical axis windmill tree (VAWMT) Actually one whose axis of rotation is vertical with respect to ground.

• Blades
• Shaft
• Generator               

ROTOR BLADES
Blades are a crucial and basic part of a wind turbine. They are mainly made of aluminum, fiber glass or carbon fiber. The design of the individual blades also affects the overall design of the rotor. Rotor blades take the energy out of the wind; they capture the wind and convert its kinetic energy into the rotation of the hub.

SHAFT
The shaft is the part that gets turned by the turbine blades. It in turn is connected to the generator within the main housing.

Electrical Parts
The turbines are connected to electrical parts in order to get the required power. These Major parts are Electrical Generator, Converter and Battery.

Automated Dual Axis Solar TrackingSystem using LDR Sensors.

In order to advance this project, we are adding automated Dual axis solar tracking system to attain maximum power through natural resources.

This design consists a working experimental model which focuses on the use of solar panel which would follow sun’s motion viz. Azimuth altitude, automatically adjusting itself every time without human intervention. To serve this purpose, we are using Light Dependent Resistors (L.D. Rs -4 Nos.) which will trace the sunlight every time and would give signal to main circuit for the motion of the panel. The motion of the panel would be done by means of gears and
D.C motor. All the electrical components would be controlled by means of 8051 microcontroller which would be programmed accordingly. Dual axis tracking makes sure that panel is always in the most accurate position for better output.          

Benefits of the Project

• VAWMT produce very cheap energy as compared to other sources of energy.
• It produce clean and green energy.
• It can produce electricity in any wind direction.
• There is no need of pointing turbine in wind direction to be efficient so yaw drive and pitch mechanism is not needed.
• Installation of vertical axis's wind mill tree as compared to other wind turbine
• easy to transport from one place to other
• Low maintenance cost as compared to other wind turbine.
• This windmill tree can be used in parks, on building roofs, highways, in streets, or in different village areas where wind blows continuously
• Low risk for human and birds because blades moves at relatively low speed as    compared to other turbine.
• This is particularly suitable for commercial uses
• Quieter to operate, so they don’t disturb people in residential neighborhoods.
• Permissible where taller structures are prohibited..
• It can be work in low speed wind areas as compared to other wind turbine.
• Remote areas that are not connected to the electricity power grid can use wind tree to produce their own supply.
• As wind tree is located near to the consumer premises transmission cost will be very less.
• Maintenance worker do not have to climb as high to reach parts of the tower because major component closer to the ground.
• VAWMT can be grouped more closely in wind farms, increasing the generated power unit of land area.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

This artificial tree consists of several numbers of small wind turbines which are made of aluminum foil or light plastic to work at low air speed. Every turbine is connected with separate electric generator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
These all generators relate to converters which boost the voltages to required level and in the end output of all generator is synchronized for higher power.

In our project we particularly are using permanent magnet DC generators located just below the
Blades. PMDC- generators work on the Faraday’s law of EMF induction. In order to the forward and reverse current mechanism of PMDC we are using Full wave Bridge is used rectifier and now no mattered the direction of winds it will produce voltages in both directions. After producing voltages from blades and solar panels we will monitor these voltages by means of controlling monitors or either it can be monitors by LAB VIEW  After the process of Boosting the voltages of blades if its needed fed to storage battery for future use to use it’s as an AC we are using an Inverter which inverts the 12V to 220V..

The complete operation of the dual axis tracking system wholly depends on the light dependent resistor (L.D.R) which is used as a sensor whose resistance decreases with increasing light intensity. The fully geared stepper motors are implemented for the rotation of the solar panel in two different axes. This dual axis design consists of four LDRs which are placed on the solar panel for detecting the light intensity. The main objective of this system is to make the panel always face the sun in order to maximize the energy absorbed thus giving greater efficiency. The daily motion causes the sun to appear in east to west direction over the earth whereas the annual motion causes the sun to tilt on at an angle 23.5 degrees while moving along east-west direction, so maximum efficiency of solar panel cannot be obtained using single axis tracker.

Stepper Motors
It gives gradual yet accurate motion to the panel thus we can obtain precise motion of the tracking system. Dc motor consists mainly of a gear reduction unit, a position sensing device and a control unit. It receives a control signal that represents a desired output position of the servo shaft and apply power to its DC motor until its shaft turns to that position.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other IndustriesCore Technology OthersOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	62000
Dc Motors	Equipment	4	600	2400
Servo Motors	Equipment	4	800	3200
Solar Pannel	Equipment	2	1000	2000
Servo Motor Belt	Equipment	1	500	500
Silver Rod	Equipment	1	1200	1200
Barings	Equipment	4	150	600
Silver Rod Fittings	Equipment	4	200	800
PVC Plate	Equipment	1	700	700
Mild Steel Pipe	Equipment	1	1000	1000
Bending of MS Pipe	Equipment	1	3000	3000
Wood For Tree Stem	Equipment	1	3500	3500
Wheat Stone Bridge	Equipment	8	200	1600
LDR Sensors	Equipment	12	50	600
Wires	Equipment	2	1500	3000
Arduino	Equipment	3	800	2400
Battery	Equipment	1	4000	4000
Anemometer	Equipment	1	4000	4000
Control Pannel	Equipment	1	5000	5000
Electrical components	Equipment	3	1500	4500
Digital Voltmeters	Equipment	6	500	3000
Rpm Meter	Equipment	1	2000	2000
Blades	Equipment	4	1250	5000
Furnishing Tree Prototype	Equipment	1	2000	2000
Printing, Stationery	Miscellaneous	1	6000	6000