Activity #3

Other Energy Sources Date : 21-Apr-2021

Page # : 1 of 5

“OES Activity no: 3”

Submitted to:

Engr. Emmanuel Ferrer

MSME Professor – TUP Manila

Submitted by:

Engr. Mary Kristine Joy “Star” E. Bitoon, RME

MSME major in Energy Engineering – TUP Manila Student

April 21, 2021

Engr. Mary Kristine Joy “Star” E. Bitoon

MSME major in Energy Engineering – TUP Manila student
 Activity #3

Other Energy Sources Date : 21-Apr-2021

Page # : 2 of 5

1) Differentiate large scale wind turbines from decentralized small-scale wind turbines in terms of:
power production/capacity, size/dimensions, environmental impact, cost:

A traditional large-scale wind turbine's rotor diameter is between 50 and 100 meters. It has a power output of 1
to 3 megawatts. Small-scale wind turbines have rotor diameters of 3m to 10m and power capacities of 3m to
10m, as compared to large-scale wind turbines. The power ranges from 1.4 to 20 kilowatts (kW). In low wind
conditions, smaller wind turbines with a nominal power of 50 W produce more expensive energy than medium
and large wind turbines. They're also useful in certain self-contained systems that necessitate a high degree of
trust. Wind turbines can be used as a reliable source of electricity under ideal conditions.

The activity of wind turbines showed that they were not entirely green friendly. This paper discusses wind
turbines which can have a detrimental effect on the atmosphere, but most of them are applicable to all wind
turbines thus concentrating on HAWT. The possible visual effect is significant, but it is hard to quantify. Noise
is theoretically a serious and uncompromising challenge, but further research and experience is required before
its true significance can be assessed.

Wind power, like all energy sources, may have adverse environmental effects including the ability of wildlife,
fish and plants to reduce, fragment or kill habitat. In addition, spinning turbine blades, including birds and bats,
can put flying wildlife at risk. Given the potential impact of wind power on biodiversity and the potential for
such concerns to hinder or inhibit wind output in high-quality areas of wind resources, addressing the
minimization of impacts, location and enabling problems is one of the top priorities for the wind industry.

2) Differentiate horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT's) from vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) and
include their advantages and disadvantages

The horizontal axis wind turbine dominates the bulk of the wind industry. The term "horizontal axis" refers to
the wind turbine's spinning axis being horizontal, or parallel to the earth. Horizontal axis wind turbines are
nearly only used in large wind applications. Vertical axis turbines, on the other hand, have a place in small wind
and residential wind applications. The benefit of horizontal wind is that it can generate more energy from a
given volume of wind. So, if you want to get as much wind as possible at all times, a horizontal axis is perhaps
the best option. However, the downside of horizontal axis is that it is normally heavier and does not do well in
turbulent winds.

The rotational axis of vertical axis wind turbines is perpendicular to the ground. Small wind farms and private
installations mostly use vertical axis turbines. It also claims that in turbulent wind conditions, this vertical axis
turbine can produce well. Wind from all directions can power vertical axis turbines, and some turbines can also
be driven as the wind blows from top to bottom. Vertical axis wind turbines are considered ideal for
installations where wind conditions are unreliable or where public ordinances prevent the turbine from being
mounted high enough to benefit from steady wind.

Engr. Mary Kristine Joy “Star” E. Bitoon

MSME major in Energy Engineering – TUP Manila student
 Activity #3

Other Energy Sources Date : 21-Apr-2021

Page # : 3 of 5

3) List down or outline (with main and sub-points) the different small-scale wind energy technologies
and make a short description differentiating each from the other small-scale wind energy technologies
(you may use other references)
 Micro Wind Turbines
 These wind turbines have a very small rotor diameter of about 1 m or less and produce
approximately 300 kWh per year at sites with an average wind speed of 5,5 m/s. They are commonly
used in remote areas for low-power applications (e.g. fence-charging, basic lighting, electricity for
sailboats).
 Mini Wind Turbines
 Mini-wind turbines produce 1000-2000 kWh per year on sites of 5.5 m/s, typically with a rotor
diameter of 1.5 to 2.6 m.
 Household-size Wind Turbines
 The word sums up a much wider range of wind turbines depending on the very different scale of
"houses" and related applications: household-sized turbines are often ideal for supplying homes and
farms. Therefore, in this class it is possible to find rotor diameters of 2,7-9 m and energy produced
per year for locations with 5,5 m/s vary between 2,000-20,000 kWh.

4) In your own opinion, which of the specific horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT's) has the most
advantage and WHY in terms of (explain as much factors as you can and you may add more
references to justify your answers): For me it’s the Three bladed HAWT
 Summary:
 Most of our wind turbines are three blades here in the Philippines because their aerodynamic loads
are more stable.

 The ideas behind wind power generation are today as plain as they were at the beginning of the
century. Wind is only air in motion, and kinetic energy exists in motion. Wind turbines have been
planned to hinder, slow it down and turn it into electricity. The challenge is the blades of the turbines
that are specifically built to produce the highest energy. The angular dynamic is constant with three
blades, as the two other blades point at an angle while one blade is up. This enables the turbine to
spin smoothly in the wind.

 The design and use of turbine blades are sensitive sciences, which depend on many factors, such as
aerodynamics and air resistance. The nature of the blades must take into consideration speed and
drag to achieve the highest performance. Most wind turbines run on a standard basis with three
blades. Actually, it was more of a compromise to build turbines with three blades. Due to the
reduced drag, the energy yield of one blade will be the ideal amount. However, the turbine may
become unbalanced with one blade, which is not a realistic option for turbine stability.

 Many small HAWT’s with upwind rotors use a yaw mechanism that passively orients the rotor into
the prevailing wind. Three-bladed HAWT’s use electronic controls and anemometers to track wind
directions. The design of a standard three-bladed HAWT is based primarily on the lift principle. Lift
force is produced as the wind stream interacts with the rotor blades, as described in the previous
section, causing the rotor to rotate. The rotational speed varies according to the design features and
Engr. Mary Kristine Joy “Star” E. Bitoon
MSME major in Energy Engineering – TUP Manila student
 Activity #3

Other Energy Sources Date : 21-Apr-2021

Page # : 4 of 5

rotor size. This could be as low as 16 rpm for a standard MW-sized turbine. This rotation is
transmitted to the high-speed shaft via the gearbox by the low-speed main shaft (there are direct
drive turbines also, which do not have a gearbox in the transmission line). Gear trains increase the
speed to meet the generator's higher speed demand. The mechanical energy is then transformed into
electrical energy by the generator.

5) In your own opinion, which of the specific vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) has the most
advantage and WHY in terms of (explain as much factors as you can and you may add more
references to justify your answers):
 Summary:
 The helical Darrieus wind turbine is, in this situation, the most advantageous VAWT for me. They
just need two times the swept zone and four times the material to provide the same electricity as a
three-blade wind turbine on the horizontal axis.
 It is the only VAWT on the market in the list of Top Small Wind Turbines. It has also far more units
constructed than other VAWTs. Although the VAWTs have nearly always been less powerful than
the HAWTs (Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines) – this is not a controversial claim, since at least the
1960s it has been in textbooks – it probably generates a small fraction of global energy produces by
small wind generators, ranking third in the list of small wind turbines. This, of course, ignores the
around 240,000 wind turbines with a power scale ranging from 600 KW to 6 MW which statistically
makes small wind energy negligible.

6) In the Darrieus type VAWT studies, what conclusions did the experimental and numerical studies
reveal about the effects of the different design parameters they investigated?
 Armstrong used wind tunnels to study the aerodynamics of high-solidity vertical-axis wind turbines.
The wind turbine was a Darrieus H type with a chord length of 400mm and a NACA0015 blade
profile. The flow visualization method was used with lightweight tufts added to the inner surface of
the blades to understand the working aerodynamics. The aerodynamics of straight and canted blades
is investigated.

 It was discovered that the consistency of canted blades differed from that of straight blades. This can
be explained by the blade sweep and the peak power to blade tip speed ratio. According to an
analysis conducted by Bhutta on various designs and configurations of vertical axis wind turbines,
CFD simulations predict the response more accurately than the impulsive or Buckingham Pi
theorem. As a consequence, this portion of numerical analysis draws on the work of many
researchers who used CFD analysis.

7) What can you say about the significance or impact of the position of wind turbines and the
importance of studying their aeroacoustics?
 Knowing the location and technology of the individual turbines opens up new opportunities for
research and improved location, and vital expertise for land management and property management.
Moreover, the weather and air traffic radar can interfere with big turbines. Knowledge of turbines'
range and height enhances radar-wind knowledge of issues and increases the viability of
constructing new sites.
Engr. Mary Kristine Joy “Star” E. Bitoon
MSME major in Energy Engineering – TUP Manila student
 Activity #3

Other Energy Sources Date : 21-Apr-2021

Page # : 5 of 5

8) In the movie, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind”, what do you think is the specific type of small-
scale wind turbine used in the study? What are your suggestions that may possibly improve the
performance of that prototype?
 Following a review of the film. I discovered that Kamkwamba's first windmill was a horizontal axis
wind turbine with 4 blades. Despite the cynicism, Kamkwamba built a windmill out of scrap metal,
PVC tubing, and tractor and bicycle parts. The first windmill in Kamkwamba was capable of
powering four lights, which was an impressive feat in and of itself.
 I am very impressed by how he does it; nevertheless, I believe it could be improved if he built a
stronger base out of stainless steel to protect his rotary blades. If he has enough money to develop a
decent prototype windmill at a low cost, I would recommend that he buy a DC motor (which will
convert wind energy to electricity). Fabricated blades (suggested 3 blades) to ensure their size is
sufficient for the overall device configuration. Create a hub to hold your blades (a gear, shaft, and
bolts would suffice), and he must build a turbine mounting to assist the hub in turning into the wind.
Create the charge controller (a simple one that can most certainly be found on the internet).

Engr. Mary Kristine Joy “Star” E. Bitoon

MSME major in Energy Engineering – TUP Manila student