Economical Evaluation of Energy Harvesting Using Vertical Axis Wind Turbine from a Wind Turbulence Created by Moving Cars

Abstract

In recent years, the world has witnessed a huge industrial boom in various fields which resulted in an increase in demand for energy. The Sultanate of Oman is one of the oil and gas producing countries, and the country’s energy supply is mainly dependent on oil and gas. This makes the country vulnerable to future air pollution problems and run out of fossil fuels. To mitigate the problems, there is an increasing demand for research and investment in the field of renewable energy. This paper presents the electric energy that would be obtained from the wind energy generated from the cars’ movement turbulence along Muscat Expressway. For the study, the wind speed data was collected using Extech ADL310 Thermo-Anemometer. Four different vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) were identified to predict the output electric power and its viability. The electric power generated from the wind using the VAWT is presumed to supply power to the expressway streetlights. From the study, it is proved that the street light power demand can be supplied by the 4000 W VAWT with a payback period of 9.2, 3.4, and 0.9 years for a cost of 0.03 OMR/kWh at a wind speed of 5, 7, and 11 m/s respectively. The payback period will be reduced to 4.6, 1.7, and 0.4 years if the government subsidy for the electric power is removed and its cost rises to 0.06 OMR/kWh.