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The development of a segmented variable pitch small horizontal axis wind turbine with active pitch control

Small scale wind turbines operating in an urban environment produce dismal amounts of power when compared to their expected output [1-4]. This is largely due to the gusty wind conditions found in an urban environment, coupled with the fact that the wind turbines are not designed for these conditions. A new concept of a Segmented Variable Pitch (SVP) wind turbine has been proposed, which has a strong possibility to perform well in gusty and variable wind conditions. This dissertation explains the concept of a SVP wind turbine in more detail and shows analytical and experimental results relating to this concept. Also, the potential benefits of the proposed concept are mentioned. The results from this dissertation show that this concept has potential with promising results on possible turbine blade aerofoil configurations. Scaled model tests were completed and although further design optimisation is required, the tests showed good potential for the SVP concept. Lastly a proof-of-concept full scale model was manufactured and tested to prove scalability to full size from concept models. Along with the proof-of-concept full scale model, a wireless control system (to control the blade segments) was developed and tested.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nmmu/vital:9657
Date January 2013
CreatorsPoole, Sean
PublisherNelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis, Masters, MEngineering
Formatxvii, 82 leaves, pdf
RightsNelson Mandela Metropolitan University

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