Bridget’s Project Report
With the increasing demand for alternative energy, Whitney Pander and I found it fitting to base our physics project upon this subject. We decided to create a unique type of wind turbine, a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT.) Believe it or not, the basic concept of the VAWT was patented in 1927. Spinning signs outside shops and petrol stations were a common design back in the 1990s. They spun on their axis faster and faster with luminous messages on either side.
VAWTs unlike conventional Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) have many advantages. HAWTs have blades that spin about a horizontal shaft and must be constantly aligned with the wind. VAWTs, however, are designed with blades that attach to a vertical shaft, like the blades of an eggbeater. They accept wind from any direction and can be mounted near ground level. Thus, they are easier and safer than HAWTs. Although VAWTs are the lesser known type of wind energy source, we hope through this project to expose its advantages and successful results.
Many intellectual groups and organizations such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, are always searching for ways to make wind-generated electricity the cheapest form of energy on the planet. A major factor is cost of the materials and installation. We tried to address the materials aspect by installing the cheapest most efficient materials yet, at the same time allow it to be aesthetically pleasing. Most of Virginia
We were very fortunate to have my dad, an engineer, to assist us in our ambitious project. In order to create such a unique design, we needed custom made parts. So, Whitney and I got together and drew up designs for our own VAWT and then we gave them to my dad. He took them to his work where he had the base, rods, blades etc. made with strong yet light and efficient materials. Once he brought the pieces home we assembled them together piece by piece. We had a few obstacles on the way such as the blades. We originally were going to make the blades out of metal but because of cost and weight we had to come up with an alternative. Then we tried spoon ladles that would screw onto the ends of the rods and hopefully catch the wind and spin it however, we soon found this alteration unsuccessful. Finally we found a super ultra light weight wood, called balsam. This was not only light but strong, perfect for our wind turbine.
We not only created a successful working VAWT, but also created a pulley system that transferred the energy from the wind to a small a motor and then powered a small appliance. We also installed a gear box in order to convert the maximum amount of energy to whatever we powered. Putting together the gear box was quite the task, seeing as the majority of the directions were in some Asian language but through much frustration and perseverance we figured it out and got it working.
This project has truly made an impact on me personally in many ways. I have learned to problem solve and work through the many obstacles with patience. Whitney and I learned to work together as a team and figure out how to assemble a gear box and other such things. We learned to plan out our goals and stay organized throughout the process. Lastly, we have learned how difficult it is to design and build just a small VAWT and have a greater understanding of how much time and work is needed for an actual wind turbine.
We hope like the Solar Panel Club, that we too could start a Wind Energy Club. Future students could focus on less of the building phase and more on the initiating phase. They could look for ways to install the VAWT in our school or community to power something. Especially with the increasing interest of wind turbines in the Chesapeake Bay , this would be a fun and intriguing project for future students.
I suggest that students in the future focus less about the building and more about the conversion of energy and how to make it more efficient and power even larger appliances. Also to build it in advance so they could test it during different seasons and in different locations. Having the ability to have each piece of the VAWT custom made rather than from a kit gave us a lot of room to think creatively and come up with a design unlike any other. I truly enjoyed creating something that although does not quite work to perfection but still demonstrates a new alternative for a new future.
