Development of a Dual Wind Turbines using the

Savonius and Archimedes Spiral Principle

Conrado Ostia Jr#1, Jesus M. Martinez#2, Kevin Ted Coderes#, Gino James Estacio#,
Abdollah Rezvani Ramchahi#, Jargon V. Pulido#

#School of EECE, Mapúa University

Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
1cfostia@mapua.edu.ph, 2jmmartinez@mapua.edu.ph

Abstract- This paper presented the combination of Archimedes operation and for the combined operation. It will also test the
Spiral Wind Turbine and Savonius Wind Turbine. The Savonius charging characteristics when the wind turbines operate
was uses as the vertical axis wind turbine while the Archimedes is individually and when they are operating combined.
horizontal axis wind turbine. The integrated data logger was
responsible for the gathering of measured values such as the
voltage, current, rpm and battery percentage. Wind speeds, II. METHODOLOGY
turbine speeds, and generated voltages were also measured.
Fig. 1 shows the flow of the study.
Relationships between parameters were then observed. Results
showed that the Archimedes wind turbine has faster RPM and A) Design of Savonius and Archimedes Wind Turbine
produces more voltage with the same wind speed with Savonius
wind turbine when operated individually. The Archimedes wind
turbine was able to generate an average voltage of 7.04 V and an Start End
average power of 5.10 W while Savonius wind turbine was able to
generate an average voltage of 2.70 V and an average power of 1.23
W. Their combination was able to generate an average voltage of
9.73 V and an average power of 6.32 W. Savonius wind turbine, Design of the Implementation
Prototype and
though low in its performance, did a complementary job during
Final Testing
starting rotation when the two types of wind turbine where
combined together as one energy harvesting system.
Canvassing the
Keywords – Archimedes Spiral Wind Turbine, Savonius Wind Components of Construction of Initial Testing
the Study Prototype and
Turbine, Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, data logger.

I. INTRODUCTION Fig. 1 Flow of the Study

Renewable energy is the cleanest energy that can help world
to protect the environment. There are many type of renewable
energy and wind energy is one. Wind energy can also be
considered as a form of solar energy in a way that heat from the
sun is convected into the atmosphere so that the molecular
activity of the air is increased thereby generating a wind. The
wind energy is known to be abundant but still there are areas
where there is not enough wind supply [1].
In wind power, the kinetic energy in the wind will turn into
mechanical power by rotating the turbine and the mechanical
energy will turn to the electricity with the use of an electric
generator. There are two common types of wind energy, the
horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) and vertical axis wind
turbines (VAWT) [2]. This classification is based on the rotor.
Usually, for horizontal axis wind turbines, the rotor is on the top
of the tower and, for vertical axis wind turbine, the rotor is
installed in the middle [1], [3], [4], [5]. In this paper, the
prototype is a hybrid designed of Savonius wind turbine, which
catches the wind in all directions, and Archimedes wind turbine
which produces more power.
The main objective of this study is to develop a dual wind
turbines using the Savonius and Archimedes Spiral Principle. It
will determine the relationships between the wind speed and
voltage and the wind speed and power for the Savonius wind
turbine operating alone, for the Archimedes wind turbine
For the computation of Savonius wind turbine geometrical
parameters, the researchers assigned a diameter of 49 cm or 20
in to fit the target structure. Values from the study in [1] and
[4], which maximizes the rotational speed and efficiency of the
wind turbine, were used.
1) Computation for Savonius Wind Turbine [4]:
The notations used in the computation of the Savonius wind
turbine parameters are: DS is the diameter of Savonius, ARS is
the aspect ratio of Savonius, HS is the height of Savonius,  is
the overlap ratio,  is the shaft diameter, r is the shaft
allowance, and DHC is the diameter of half circle.
Formulas used in the computation:
HS = (ARS) (DS) (1)
 = (r - ) / DHC (2)
DHC = (DS + r) / 2 (3)
The set values of the design of the Savonius wind turbine
are: DS = 20 inches, ARS = 0.75(enough to start the rotor), and
 = 0.25(the best efficiency is between 0.20 to 0.30)
Using Eqs.1, 2, and 3, the height of the savonius is HS = 15
in, the shaft allowance is r = 4 in, and the diameter of the half
circle is DHC = 12 inches.
Fig. 2 below shows the top and front view of the Savonius
wind turbine.

978-1-5386-7767-4/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE

 A B
Fig. 2 A) Top View B) Front View of Savonius Wind Turbine
2) Computation for Archimedes Spiral Wind Turbine [1]:
The notations used in the computation of the Archimedes
wind turbine parameters are: R1is the vertical distance of the
outer blade tip from the horizontal axis, R2 is the vertical
distance of the inner blade tip from the horizontal axis, L2 is the
distance between the back side center position and the front side
center position, and S1 is the horizontal distance between the
front blade tip and the root of the spiral blade.
ଵ
Aout = (R1 - R2)(L2) (4)
ଶ
 = tan-1(R1/S1) (5)
The set values of the design of the Archimedes wind turbine
are: R1 = 9 in, R2 = 5 in,  (density of air) = 1.225 kg/m3, V =
7.6m/s (highest wind speed in wind profiling), L2 = 2 in,  =
7.6/0.2296 = 33.25 rad/s, and S1 = 24 in.
Using Eqs. 4 and 5, the area of the outer blade is Aout = 4 in2
and the angle between the rotational axis and the tip of the blade
is  = 20.550.
Fig. 3 shows the top and side view of Archimedes wind
turbine.
(a) (b)
Fig. 3 a) Side and b) top view of Archimedes Wind Turbine
B. The Prototype
Fig. 4 shows the side view of the prototype. It indicates the
4.5 meter-height of the tower from the ground to the top of the
prototype. The distance between the base of the Savonius wind
turbine and the base Archimedes wind turbine is 1.75 meter and
the height of the Archimedes wind turbine is 1.5 meter which is
placed at the top of the tower. To balance the tower, we built
three legs with the separation of 1.4 meter between them. The
automatic data logger and battery are placed beside the
Savonius wind turbine.
C. Automatic Data Logger
The data logger stored the data from the sensors and
displayed RPM, voltages, currents, and the battery percentage.
Fig. 4 Side View of the Prototype
The program embedded in the data logger limits the operation
of the system to 12V and a tolerance of +/- 0.8V.
D. DC Permanent Magnet Generator
Permanent magnet dc generators were used in this study.
One generator was coupled with the Savonius turbine and the
other was with the Archimedes turbine. DC generator is known
to have high efficiency and can work with different speed range.
E. Battery
The battery used was the lead Acid Battery. This type of the
battery is rechargeable and has a lower cost compared to other
batteries.
G. Data Gathering Procedure
For the data gathering, testing of the individual
performances of each wind turbine were conducted as well of
the performance of the combined wind turbines. Controlled
environment tests were conducted and the results of the
uncontrolled environment tests were given emphasis. To
automate the data collection, an data logger was used.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Archimedes Wind Turbine Performance (Uncontrolled
Environment)
The trend of the generated voltage of the Archimedes
turbine due to the available wind in the deployment area is
shown in Fig. 5. The average generated voltage is 7.04 V, the
minimum is 4 V and the maximum is 9.23 V. Fig. 6 shows the
power trend against the wind speed of the Archimedes turbine.
The average generated power is 5.10 W, the lowest is 1.60
W, and the highest is 8.51 W.
B. Savonius Wind Turbine Performance (Uncontrolled
Environment)
The values of the generated voltage of the Savonius turbine
due to the available wind in the deployment area are plotted in
 Wind Speed vs. Voltage Wind Speed vs. Power
10 7
6
8
5
Voltage

Power
6 4
4 3
2
2 1
0 0

2.9
4.3
6.7
7.6
2.5
4.4
3.6
1.4
4.8
3.6
7.6
5.6
7.3
0.8
5.8
3.2
7.6
2.9 5.8 7.3 2.5 1.6 4.2 4.8 6.4 2.7 7.3 4.3 7.5 7.6
Wind Speed Wind Speed

Fig. 8 Power vs. wind speed (Savonius)

Fig. 5. Voltage vs. wind speed (Archimedes)

Wind Speed vs. Power Generated Voltage vs. Wind Speed

10 20
8
Volatge, V
15
Power

6 10
4 5
2
0
0 2.9 5.8 7.3 2.5 1.6 4.2 4.8 6.4 2.7 7.3 4.3 7.5 7.6
2.9 5.8 7.3 2.5 1.6 4.2 4.8 6.4 2.7 7.3 4.3 7.5 7.6 Wind Speed, m/s
Wind Speed

Fig. 6 Power vs. wind speed (Archimedes) Fig. 9 Voltage vs. Wind Speed (Combination)

Fig. 7. It shows that the average generate voltage is 2.70 V, the
minimum is 1.44 V, and the maximum is 8.10 V. Fig. 8 plots
the generated power by the turbine versus the wind speed at the
location. It records an average power of 1.23 W, a lowest of
0.012 W and a highest of 6,56 W.
C. Performance of the Combined Archimedes and Savonius
Wind Turbines
Fig. 9 plots the generated voltage of the combined turbines
versus the wind speed of a particular instant. It was observed
that the generated changes erratically with the wind speed in the
duration of the experimentation. The plots give an average
generated voltage of 9.73 V, a minimum of 5.45 V, and a
maximum of 15.86 V. The total power generated by the
combined turbines is shown Fig. 10. In the graph, the average
power that can be computed is 6.32 W, the lowest value of 1.73
W and the highest of 12.58 W.
D. Battery Percentage:
Fig. 11 shows the capability of the Archimedes wind turbine
to charge in certain amount of time. In this case, the battery is
in 44.5% after five hours of charging the battery is charged to

Wind Speed vs. Voltage Total Power vs. Wind Speed

10 15
Total Power

8
10
Voltage

6
4 5
2
0
0
4.63.84.43.95.25.15.46.56.55.86.24.74.5
2.9 5.8 7.3 2.5 1.6 4.2 4.8 6.4 2.7 7.3 4.3 7.5 7.6
Wind Speed
Wind Speed

Fig. 7 Voltage vs. wind speed (Savonius) Fig. 10 Total Power vs Wind Speed (Combination)
 Battery Percentage vs. Time
Battery Percentage vs. Time
46.5 40
Battery Percentage

Battery Percentage
46 38
45.5 36
45 34
44.5 32
44 30

1:00
1:25
1:45
2:00
2:25
2:45
3:00
3:25
3:45
4:00
4:25
4:45
5:00
43.5
1:00
1:20
1:40
2:00
2:20
2:40
3:00
3:20
3:40
4:00
4:20
4:40
5:00
Time
Time

Fig. 13 Battery Percentage vs. Time of the Day (Combination)

Fig. 11 Battery Percentage vs Time of the Day (Archimedes)
the developed energy harvester both individually and
46.14%. The Archimedes alone can be used to charge the combined.
battery but it is not enough to fully charge the battery since the The average generated voltage was 7.04 V, the minimum
current produce by the generator is in milliamperes only. was 4 V and the maximum was 9.23 V when the Archimedes
Fig.12 shows the charging rate of of the Savonius wind wind turbine was operating alone. Moreover, the average
turbine operating alone. Compared to Archimedes wind turbine generated power was 5.10 W, the lowest was 1.60 W, and the
the charging percentage of Savonius is quite low. The battery is highest was 8.51 W. On the other instance, when Savious wind
in 44.8% before the charging of the savonius wind turbine starts,
turbine singly operating, the average generate voltage was 2.70
after five hours of charging the battery is charged to 45.26%. It
is quite low compare to the battery charge to Archimedes wind V, the minimum was 1.44 V, and the maximum was 8.10 V and
turbine. the average generated power recorded was 1.23 W, the lowest
was 0.012 W and the highest was 6,56 W. Operating together,
Battery Percentage vs. Time the average generated voltage was 9.73 V, the minimum was
5.45 V, and the maximum was 15.86 V and the average power
45.5 generated was 6.32 W, the lowest value was 1.73 W and the
Battery Percentage

45 highest was 12.58 W.

At start, the battery charge was 44.5%. After five hours of
44.5 charging by the Archimedes turbine alone, the battery was
charged up to 46.14%. The Archimedes alone can be used to
44 charge the battery but it was not enough to fully charge the
battery since the current produced by the generator was just in
43.5
milliamperes. Compared to Archimedes wind turbine, the
1:00
1:20
1:40
2:00
2:20
2:40
3:00
3:20
3:40
4:00
4:20
4:40
5:00

charging percentage of Savonius is quite low. Starting with a

Time 44.8% charged, the Savonius turbine charged the battery after
five hours to 45.26%. When combined together, the system
charged the battery from 33.73% to 37.89% after five hours.
Fig. 12 Battery Percentage vs. Time of the Day (Savonius)
Providing the combination of the two turbines it enhances the
Fig. 13 indicates the battery percentage in which the two charging capacity of the wind generator.
turbines are combined for better charging of the battery. The
original value of the battery is 33.73%, for a span of five hours V. RECOMMENDATION
the battery percentage charged up to 37.89%. Providing the For the construction of Archimedes and Savonius wind
combination of the two turbines it enhances the charging turbine it can be change into thin metal sheet, for easy
capacity of the battery. As compared to the two individual wind tinsmithing and for light and possible smooth operation that can
turbines, the combination of the two turbines were more somehow contribute to the efficiency of the wind turbines
efficient and reliable. particularly for the Archimedes wind turbine.
For the safety of the electronic devices and generators in the
IV. CONCLUSION prototype, the future research should provide a weather proof
Results showed that the study was able to develop a electronic devices since majority of operation of the prototype
functional dual-wind-turbines using the Savonius and is done outdoor.
Archimedes spiral principle. The study was able also to Appropriate generator rating must be considered in the
determine the relationships between the generated voltage and future study for optimal power generation. Higher generator
wind speed, the power and wind speed, and the charging rate of power rating can stabilize the voltage and current that are
needed in battery charging.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to thank the School of Electrical,
Electronics and Computer Engineering of Mapua University for
the assistance and also, to the almighty God for giving us the
wisdom and courage to finish this study.

REFERENCES
[1] Kim, K.C.; Ji, H.S.; Kim, Y.K.; Lu, Q.; Baek, J.H.; Mieremet, R.
“Experimental and Numerical Study of the Aerodynamic
Characteristics of an Archimedes Spiral Wind Turbine
Blade”. Energies 2014, vol. 7, pp.7893-7914, November 2014.
[2] D. A. Spera, Wind Turbine Technology: Fundamental Concepts in
Wind Turbine Engineering, 2nd ed., ASME, 2009.
[3] S. Koudad, H. Mahmoudi and L. El Menzhi, "Mechanical study of
a vertical axis wind turbine," 2016 International Symposium on
Power Electronics, Electrical Drives, Automation and Motion
(SPEEDAM), Anacapri, 2016, pp. 570-574.
[4] G. M. H. Shahariar and M. R. Hasan, "Design & construction of a
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine," 2014 9th International Forum on
Strategic Technology (IFOST), Cox's Bazar, 2014, pp. 326-329.
[5] Shuqin, Liu, “Magnetic Suspension and Self-pitch for Vertical-axis
Wind Turbines”, Fundamental and Advanced Topics in Wind
Power, 2011.