Project Propsal - Small Wind Energy

‘Small Wind’ is a term used to refer to the wind turbines with a capacity of less than 100KW. These turbines are easier to manufacture, handle and install. They can also be used at more places as compared to the large wind turbines. Unlike large wind turbines, however, the smaller turbines can encounter challenges such as more air turbulence, gusts of winds and rapidly changing wind directions. Such aerodynamic challenges require adequate research and understanding to be addressed for designing efficient and effective small wind turbines. The mechanical power derived from these turbines powers the electrical generators. Owing to an erratic supply of mechanical power from the turbines, along with the turbines, even the generators require redesigning in order to optimize the electrical outputs. The stress patterns on Small Wind turbines are different and prompt use of newer methods and materials for mitigating the fatigue. The control of these turbines is a complex and non-linear problem, owing to the large number of variables involved. While a significant research is available for large wind turbines, the study on smaller wind turbine is fragmented and not specifically targeted. Therefore, the objective of my project would be to develop the most effective and efficient prototypes of small wind turbines. The approach adopted by the project would be oriented towards system integration rather than fundamental research, and the project would be divided into five phases as mentioned below.

• Survey
  • Identify the users of small wind turbines
  • Identify the critical criteria, and their relative importance, for evaluation of designs
  • Conduct a research on the design concepts of the small wind turbines. This would include researching existing and proposed designs of different components, sub-systems and systems, pros and cons of each system, and challenges to be tackled by developing new designs.
• Coursework
  • The development of small wind turbines would require a multidisciplinary approach which broadly includes the understanding of Aerodynamics, Composite Materials, Structural, Electrical and Controls Engineering. The relevant coursework in these fields would be essential for development and implementation and design of wind turbines.
• Design Concept Development
  • Propose design concepts to be evaluated
  • The design concepts would mostly be a mix of existing/proposed designs and new developed concepts at component, sub-assembly or final assembly levels
  • Develop and analyze the proposed concepts
  • Include feedback from evaluation of concepts
• Design Concept Evaluation
  • Identify the theoretical and experimental evaluation criteria, based on the understanding of a user and the requirements of an engineering system.
  • Include the results of evaluation in the concept design phase.
• System Integration
  • Present the (working) prototypes of the most effective and efficient small wind turbines.