Proposal: Download (PDF, 1 mb)

Marketing Presentation: Download (PPT, 1.4 mb)

Design: Download (PDF, 4 mb)
This presentation goes through the preliminary design of a small wind turbine to be mounted to an existing struture, and tailored for the urban enviroment.

Drawings:
New Drawings: Download (PPT, 1.9 mb)
Hub (sheet 1) Download (PDF, 1 mb)
Hub (sheet 2) Download (PDF, 0.3 mb)
Blade-A Download (PDF, 0.3 mb)
Exploded View Download (PDF, 0.3 mb)
Modular Configurations Download (PDF, 0.3 mb)
Mounting Hardware Download (PDF, 1 mb)
Building Mounting Download (PDF, 4 mb)
Street Light Mounting Download (PDF, 3 mb)
Flag Pole Mounting Download (PDF, 1.1 mb)


Abstract: Download (PDF, 0.3 mb)
Given the inevitable cost rise of fossil fuels coupled with a desire to reduce dependency on imported oil, there is an increased public enthusiasm for renewable, sustainable, low carbon energy. One form of renewable energy that has garnered attention from many consumers in recent years is small wind turbines. A 2007 study done by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) on the small wind turbine global market showed a 25% annual growth in small wind, and projected a 40% annual growth with government incentives. Small wind turbines mounted to buildings allows for a higher number of consumers to participate in renewable energy because it brings the microgeneration right to the consumers home. However, bringing small wind turbines to the masses has its challenges, which can be seen from recent testing of several small wind turbines mounted to buildings in the U.K. The data collected from the 2008-2009 Warwick Wind Trials (WWT) project has shown a 67% reduction in average wind speeds compared to predictions from the national database.

The primary cause of reduction to average wind speed can be attributed to the urban canopy boundary layer, which is not easy to predict or correct for. In addition to lower average wind speeds, other issues were noted, including: building vibration and aero-acoustic noise, inconsistencies between manufactures published power curves, and environmental concerns such as bird strike.

The objective of this project is to design a small wind turbine system specifically tailored for the urban environment. First, this project will examine placement to optimize performance, since some structures can provide favorable magnification to the average wind velocity when properly placed. The proposed design will focus on a modular mounting system, which allows the small wind turbine to be mounted to a variety of urban structures, thereby increasing the number of possible mounting locations. Specific locations examined include: building corners, roofs, existing street lights, flag poles, power poles. The blades and permanent magnet generator proposed in this project are too designed to work in low winds by utilizing peak power tracking controls. Finally, optional modular technologies are employed to address aero-acoustic noise, wildlife hazards, and excessive building vibration, these include: swept tip blades, ducting, and rubber mounting shims.