Electrical generation using a vertical-axis wind turbine
Traditionally, windmills have been of the propeller or multiblade types, both of which have their rotational axis parallel to the flow of the wind. A vertical-axis wind turbine has its rotational axis perpendicular to the flow of wind and requires no orientation to keep the rotor in the windstream. The vertical-axis wind turbine operates on the same principle as an airfoil and produces lift and drag as any airfoil. A newly designed 100-kW vertical-axis wind turbine has been operated for one year at the USDA Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX. The turbine has an induction generator and supplies power to a sprinkler irrigation system with excess power being sold to the electric utility. The turbine begins producing power at 5.5 m/s windspeed and reaches its rated output of 100-kW at 15 m/s. The unit has obtained a peak efficiency of 48% at a windspeed of 8 m/s or 81% of theoretical maximum. Using 17 years of windspeed data from the National Weather Service, the annual energy output is estimated at 200,000 kWh. The unit has experienced several operational problems during its initial testing. Guy cables were enlarged to provide greater stiffness to reduce blade stress levels, lightning shorted the main contactor, and the brake system required a complete redesign and modification. The turbine was operational about 60% of the time.
- Research Organization:
- USDA Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Bushland, Texas
- OSTI ID:
- 5278917
- Journal Information:
- ASAE Tech. Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: ASAE Tech. Pap.; (United States) Vol. 82-3540; ISSN AAEPC
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Operation of a third generation wind turbine
Status of the DOE/SANDIA 500 kW VAWT test bed
Related Subjects
170602* -- Wind Energy Engineering-- Turbine Design & Operation
AGRICULTURE
AIR FLOW
AIRFOILS
BRAKES
CABLES
DESIGN
DRAG
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
INDUCTION GENERATORS
INDUSTRY
IRRIGATION
LIGHTNING
MACHINE PARTS
MACHINERY
METEOROLOGY
MOTION
PERFORMANCE
PUBLIC UTILITIES
ROTATION
ROTORS
STRESSES
TESTING
TURBINE BLADES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
VELOCITY
VERTICAL AXIS TURBINES
WIND TURBINES