Development of a micro-vertical axis wind turbine to power traffic light in Maiduguri city

Abstract

The utilization of wind to generate power provides an alternative and renewable energy source compared to current fossil fuel-based power generation. The world’s fossil fuel energy is finite and is depleting at a faster rate. Moreover, fossil fuel is directly related to air pollution, and land and water degradation. Despite significant progresses being made in power generation using large-scale wind turbines recently, domestic-scale wind turbines especially vertical axis wind turbines have received less attention which has immense potential for standalone power generation. This work examines the advantages of a micro vertical axis wind turbine that can be used for power generation in built-up areas. It also describes the development and experimental studies performed to investigate the performance of a 1meter long Vertical Axis Wind Turbine blade on a 1.5meter stand using 8^O as an angle of attack. The blade was design using the Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEM), blade parameters such as the chord length, angle of attack, Tip Speed Ratio, Rotor diameter, Lift and Drag force were determined. The designed blade profile was developed and tested on an open field at Maiduguri where the average wind speed is 3.89m/s, the results shows that the maximum extractable power is 15 W with a mean efficiency of 28% at a wind relative velocity of 4.2m/s when the blade is at 8^O angle of attack.