Authors: Matthew Segui, Jacob Isaac, Georgios Komninos, & Jose Arturo Leal Figueredo
Advisors: Professor Aswin Gnanaskandan & Professor Ahmet Sabuncu
Category: Undergraduate – MQP
Abstract: As we see an overall shift towards renewable energy sources, we see a greater interest taken in the harvesting of wind via turbines. With the global shift towards urbanization, the uneven heating of constructed environments can induce the formation of vertical air currents known as “thermals”. This project explores the design and construction of a novel wind turbine capable of orientating its blades to optimally harvest energy from thermals. A traditional horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) with an aerodynamic plate attached was created to vary the angle of the assembly in accordance with thermals trajectory. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and wind tunnel testing were conducted to validate the designs efficacy. The results of this prototype led to us modifying the original design to optimize structural support, validating data acquisition methods, and giving us sound information on how to design and place our tilt mechanism.
UN SDGs:
SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
Video Presentation:
This group has chosen to opt out of the competition portion of this showcase.
Poster Presentation:
UG7_Maximizing Energy Output of Wind Turbines through Novel Turbine Designs