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Measurements of television interference caused by a vertical-axis wind machine. Final subcontract report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6140598· OSTI ID:6140598

The electromagnetic interference to television reception caused by the 17 m Darreius at Albuquerque, NM, has been studied by carrying out measurements at a number of sites in the vicinity of the VAWT. The rf sources used were the commercial vhf and uhf TV signals available in the area. Ambient field-strength measurements showed that the signals on all TV channels except one were strong, and provided good reception at all test sites. With the antenna (properly) oriented for maximum direct signal, unacceptable interference was observed on some channels at sites out to 33 m from the WT in the forward and backward regions. With the antenna beam directed at the WT, interference varying from slight to violent were observed at all sites on some or all TV channels. A simple theoretical model has been developed for analyzing the TVI produced by a VAWT like the Darrieus. Using the model in conjunction with measured data, an approximate expression for the equivalent scattering area A of the Darrieus has been developed. It is found that A is wavelength (lambda) dependent and varies as lambda/sup 1/2/.

Research Organization:
Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor (USA). Radiation Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-77CH00178
OSTI ID:
6140598
Report Number(s):
SERI/STR-215-1881; ON: DE83011301
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English