Design and fabrication of NACA 0018 straight bladed vertical axis wind turbine

Abstract

The most important advantage in generation of electric power using renewable sources of energy, like wind, are the non availability of toxic exhaust emission products, highly uncluttered and the infinite presence of wind that is finally transformed into electricity. The generation and utilization of wind has been considered as one of the mature and cost effective resources among the various available renewable energy technologies. A wind turbine is a rotating machine that is converting the winds kinetic energy initially to mechanical energy, which finally getting converted into electric power. The wind turbines basically are of two types, i.e. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT). The main point of difference between the two is the position of their axis of rotation. When wind blows over the VAWT, only a fractional part of the blades generates the torque whereas the remaining parts simply rotate. The end result of this is a comparably reduced efficiency in power generation. Here, a miniature Darrieus type VAWT with straight blade - NACA 0018 Airfoil, is designed and fabricated so as to develop maximum possible power output. The blades are designed in way were majority of the air covers majority of blade surface area and thus rotating it at its maximum possible speed. The results shows that the system we developed could produce power of 23.45 watts, with blades designed for aspect ratio of 0.24. This is the maximum possible result that can be attained for this dimension. The entire system is made of strong material so that it could also withstand high wind speed and high energetic wind possible.