Performance Analysis of Micro-vertical Axis Wind Turbine Integrated with Upstream Omnidirectional Wind Deflector

Abstract

It is still a desire for more local, small-scale power production that can be used to power very specific pieces of equipment or buildings. Innovation in micro-generation technologies reflects to generate heat or electricity at a small scale for individual buildings (or groups of buildings). The micro-wind sector is still at an early stage of development, but there is evidence of a growing market for the development of micro-wind systems. The performance parameters of the proposed lantern-type five-bladed micro-vertical axis wind turbine have been optimized. A novel approach of omnidirectional wind deflector with an optimized angle of attack guided the upstream wind to strike on the forward blade and thereby increase the turning speed. Furthermore, an upstream deflector produces a shield for the returning blade and diminishes the adverse effect on returning blade associated with speed of the wind turbine. Different locations and orientations of the proposed wind deflector were considered experimentally in terms of the normal displacement from the swept area of the turbine and varying the angle of the attack of the deflector to optimize the performance parameters of the turbine. A significant improvement in rotor speed, torque coefficient, and power coefficient was observed at upstream deflector angle of attack (70°–80°) when the turbine is subjected to wind velocity varying from 3.2 to 7 m/s as reported in result and discussion section. The best performance of wind turbine was observed at deflector angle of 70° at a distance of 5 cm from the tip of rotor blade.