Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: The Wind Energy Research Program (WERP): Design and Construction of a Wind Turbine to Facilitate Education and Research in Sustainable Technologies
EPA Grant Number: SU831890Title: The Wind Energy Research Program (WERP): Design and Construction of a Wind Turbine to Facilitate Education and Research in Sustainable Technologies
Investigators: Pardyjak, Eric , Petrogeorge, Manouso David , Jones, Ben , Pratt, Casey , Binger, Chris , Nelson, Jared , Stout, Jeremy , Klewicki, Joe , Banks, Joshua , Scott, Kevin , Homel, Mike , Whitney, Nick , Whitaker, Sam , Meek, Sanford , Gamer, Steven , Gleason, Stuart
Institution: University of Utah
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: September 30, 2004 through May 30, 2005
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
The United States currently generates a majority of its electrical power from finite natural resources; an unsustainable practice. The Wind Energy Research Program (WERP) seeks to expand knowledge and awareness of wind power while further introducing innovative technology to increase efficiency, performance and to decrease overall costs.
The WERP is working to implement a wind research program at the University of Utah using a modular wind turbine test bed. Individual components including blades, pitch control hub, gearbox, and generator may be replaced with experimental elements without altering the remainder of the turbine. This unique feature permits a direct comparison of technologies and enables exploration of the following innovative research components:
(1) a passive, continuously variable transmission that accommodates the changing rotor speeds generated in variable winds while maintaining a constant generator frequency for utility grid connection; (2) a variable inertia flywheel, designed to store excess wind energy in unstable conditions, which offers extremely low start-up inertia for use in low and inconsistent wind conditions; (3) twist-bend coupled anisotropic composite blades for passive pitch/blade feathering control; and (4) a streamlined tower cowling to stabilize aerodynamic loads, thus prolonging turbine life. In addition, a turbine site selection study will explore and model local wind conditions to optimize energy production potential.
These novel developments increase the viability of wind energy for developing nations by simplifying turbine design, removing reliance on a central power grid, and expanding the range of wind speeds in which the turbine operates. Communities in industrialized nations also benefit from a wider deployment of inexpensive wind turbines in regions with marginal wind resources. The proposed wind turbine research increases prosperity by enabling power generation in locations with previously insufficient wind energy resources, assists the people in isolated and disadvantaged communities, and benefits the planet by relying on a sustainable energy source.
Results are easily quantified in comparative experiments. With the modular wind turbine test bed, the relative energy production of a traditional system and an experimental assembly can be tested without altering any other control system parameters or components. The Wind Energy Research Program showcases the P3 concepts throughout the education process by exposing students to sustainable technologies, and by increasing public consciousness of renewable energy sources. The modular wind turbine test bed serves as a model in fluid mechanics, control system analysis and material science. Additionally, it adds to the energy classes offered within the engineering department as well as across campus. As research on innovative components continues through future departmental and independent funding, the wind program will highlight sustainable, socially and ecologically conscious development and design for future engineers.
Through the collaboration of multiple departments at the university, and the many community outreach programs of the University of Utah, renewable energy programs will be introduced to a broad cross-section of the local community. The beneficial impact of the proposed research program will extend beyond the schools of engineering. A student organization has been formed under the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUTJ) charter; welcoming university students from all departments interested in this renewable energy technology.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
During the fall 2004 and spring 2005 semesters, the WERP team has worked to complete the environmental analysis and characterization of local wind conditions and has specified the major design parameters of the test bed. Based on these parameters, the major mechanical portion of the modular test bed has been designed and fabricated as part of a mechanical engineering student senior design project.
To ensure that the turbine design was compatible with expected local atmospheric conditions, the design began with an environmental analysis of the surrounding regions, utilizing the University of Utah Meteorology Department MesoWest network of weather stations. Based on the results of this study, the basic design parameters of the turbine were tailored to operate most efficiently in local wind conditions, so that the turbine will be robust enough to withstand extreme wind events. Considerable research and modeling of site conditions, as well as the atmospheric and wind characteristics at each location were required prior to design. Multiple locations were examined and a large amount of long-term atmospheric data was used to derive local flow characteristics. Additional research into existing turbine design was pursued as well. For this reason, the mechanical design of the turbine comprises only a small amount of the entire project. While the overall design of the wind turbine appears simple, the modeling and design calculations consumed a considerable amount of time; furthermore, the turbine has been designed to the International Electromechanical Commission (IEC) standards. As a part of the design, students used YawDyn, a commercial computer program developed for the wind turbine industry, to calculate the stresses placed on turbine components.
Phase I will see the completion of the modular nacelle support, mounting hardware, rotor assembly, generator shaft assembly, hub, interchangeable blade flanges, the main yaw coupling and bearing, as well as the gearbox assembly. Furthermore, design specifications for the nacelle cover, turbine blades, electrical generator, yaw, rotor brakes, foundation support, tower and guy lines have been made to balance the system.
Conclusions:
The University of Utah Wind Energy Research Project has had a successful first year. The turbine design has remained true to the vision of creating a modular test platform for new turbine components and the research and modeling of local wind conditions will serve as a guide for continued research and sustainable development of wind energy projects in the region. The turbine project has already begun to stimulate interest in local wind energy development. A local private landowner has offered to contribute funds to the turbines construction and to provide a location for its installation. This is being done in order to prove the viability of wind power at that location in order to attract investors to fund construction of a wind farm on the property. This relationship illustrates the far- reaching ability of this project to influence the sustainable development of the surrounding region. Within the University of Utah Mechanical Engineering Department, interest in wind energy technologies has been sparked by this project. A wind energy independent study class was taught last summer and will be taught again this summer, with the possibility of adding a permanent class to the technical elective curriculum. Furthermore, participation in the wind turbine senior design project has more than doubled in the past year. This is a growing trend, which will only increase once the test- bed construction is complete and students have a powerful tool for developing new wind technologies.
Proposed Phase II Objectives and Strategies:
Phase II of the Wind Energy Research Project will see the completion of the remaining mechanical components, as well as design and integration of the sensors, instrumentation, control architecture, and implementation of the turbine as a design and educational tool. Power generation and control systems design will follow guidelines set forth by phase I. In order to finalize the main structure of the Wind Turbine Project, the tower and foundation must be completed. Since the design of the tower was completed during phase I, all that is left is to allocate the required materials needed for construction, and arrange for the use of a small crane in order to physically raise the tower. The foundation will be constructed of concrete and must be allowed at least one week to cure before raising the main tower. Incorporating civil engineering students to the design and supervision of the foundation will add an additional tool to the design team. The control systems will play an important role as the wind turbine nears completion. Again we will see cooperation from other departments to assure a thorough job. The Wind Turbine project has been presented to the college of electrical engineering. It is hoped that they will form a senior design team based on the control requirements of this turbine.
Supplemental Keywords:
RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Sustainable Industry/Business, POLLUTION PREVENTION, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Energy, Sustainable Environment, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Engineering, energy conservation, cleaner production, sustainable development, energy efficiency, energy technology, wind mapping, wind energy, wind turbineThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.