7 kW Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Design
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Led a team of three people to design a VAWT while respecting maximum dimensions, weight and power restrictions, as well as a minimum anual energy production at a certain location. The project included wind resource, dynamics and foundation studies, as well as the proposal and evaluation of several configurations to satisfy the requirements. It was decided the Darrieus’ three-bladed VAWT was the optimal alternative.
Next, each of the components of the wind turbine were designed and dimensioned according to physical calculations, including the main structure components, the guy wires, the base and the foundation, the break system, the generator, the gearbox and the anemometer, as well as all the unions of the system. The whole system was modelled in SolidWorks and some critical components were tested in three different load states by simulation to check stresses and deformations and perform design iterations if required. Finally, the technical drawings of all the components were drawn and some system and subsystems assembly and functioning videos were recorded.
