Vertical Axis Wind Turbine: Difference between revisions
(minor edits) |
(inserted image, plus some text edits) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Category=Wind energy}} | {{Category=Wind energy}} | ||
[[File:Pac_wind.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Pacwind VAWT Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Seahawk]] | |||
Verical Axis Wind Turbines or VAWTs offer a number of advantages over traditional horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs). They can be packed closer together in wind farms, allowing more in a given space. This is not because they are smaller, but rather due to the slowing effect on the air that HAWTs have, forcing designers to separate them by ten times their width. VAWTs are rugged, quiet, omni-directional, and they do not create as much stress on the support structure. They do not require as much wind to generate power, thus allowing them to be closer to the ground. By being closer to the ground they are easily maintained and can be installed on chimneys and similar tall structures. | Verical Axis Wind Turbines or VAWTs offer a number of advantages over traditional horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs). They can be packed closer together in wind farms, allowing more in a given space. This is not because they are smaller, but rather due to the slowing effect on the air that HAWTs have, forcing designers to separate them by ten times their width. VAWTs are rugged, quiet, omni-directional, and they do not create as much stress on the support structure. They do not require as much wind to generate power, thus allowing them to be closer to the ground. By being closer to the ground they are easily maintained and can be installed on chimneys and similar tall structures. | ||
In addition, by being closer to the ground VAWTs have the ability to take advantage of the tunnelling effects of small buildings and structures (provided the structures are build close enough) small VAWTs are also used in corners of buildings (usually the corner of a balcony) | In addition, by being closer to the ground, VAWTs have the ability to take advantage of the tunnelling effects of small buildings and structures (provided the structures are build close enough) small VAWTs are also used in corners of buildings (usually the corner of a balcony). | ||
Although VAWTs are not considered as efficient as the more common HAWTs they are considers more reliable, and much easier to maintain. One disadvantage of the VAWT is that the blade that moves into the wind moves '''against''' the wind, slowing down the turbine. This could be addressed by a shield that adjusts to the direction of the wind and covers the blade that moves into the wind. This could be done with some kind of vane. However, this would complicate the design significantly, incl. bearings for the shield. So this may not be worth it ... easier to just build more VAWTs. | |||
A good step by step guide can be found on [http://www.instructables.com/id/VAWT-Lenz-type-Stage-1-Converting-wind-power-to-/ this link]: a small Savonius wind turbine that takes advantage of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect Venturi effect]. | |||
Revision as of 03:11, 6 March 2011
Main > Energy > Wind energy
Verical Axis Wind Turbines or VAWTs offer a number of advantages over traditional horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs). They can be packed closer together in wind farms, allowing more in a given space. This is not because they are smaller, but rather due to the slowing effect on the air that HAWTs have, forcing designers to separate them by ten times their width. VAWTs are rugged, quiet, omni-directional, and they do not create as much stress on the support structure. They do not require as much wind to generate power, thus allowing them to be closer to the ground. By being closer to the ground they are easily maintained and can be installed on chimneys and similar tall structures.
In addition, by being closer to the ground, VAWTs have the ability to take advantage of the tunnelling effects of small buildings and structures (provided the structures are build close enough) small VAWTs are also used in corners of buildings (usually the corner of a balcony).
Although VAWTs are not considered as efficient as the more common HAWTs they are considers more reliable, and much easier to maintain. One disadvantage of the VAWT is that the blade that moves into the wind moves against the wind, slowing down the turbine. This could be addressed by a shield that adjusts to the direction of the wind and covers the blade that moves into the wind. This could be done with some kind of vane. However, this would complicate the design significantly, incl. bearings for the shield. So this may not be worth it ... easier to just build more VAWTs.
A good step by step guide can be found on this link: a small Savonius wind turbine that takes advantage of the Venturi effect.