Performance analysis of micro vertical-axis Savonius wind turbine with wind boosters

Abstract

This research studied the performance of a Micro Vertical Axis Savonius Wind Turbine with wind boosters. An S-shaped Micro Vertical Axis Savonius Wind Turbine was tested in a wind tunnel. Wind boosters were built in front of the turbine at different angles (10° to 90°) and numbers (2 to 6). The highest and lowest rotating speed, voltage, current, output power (electrical power), tip speed ratio and power coefficient were observed for 3 wind boosters at an angle of 80° and 5 wind boosters at 10°. The results indicate that the most suitable amount and angle of wind boosters for this research were 80° with 4 boosters because at a high wind booster angle (90°), the wind booster partially blocked the airflow and for the low wind booster angle, the wind boosters were almost parallel to the airflow and accelerated airflow speed was lower than the high wind booster angles. For the larger wind booster number, the wind booster partially blocked the airflow and, for the small wind booster number, the wind booster accelerated airflow speed, lower than the large wind booster number. The results from this research can be applied for the efficient performance of novel wind boosters for Micro Vertical Axis Savonius Wind Turbine designs, which will be beneficial for the use of wind energy.