5), Identify and describe the variety of energy sources This will help us understand what engineers need to know when designing and placing wind turbines in the best locations. Tape the motor to a ruler to serve as a handle. Set up a test station with a voltmeter and a wind source (fan or hair dryer) where teams can take turns measuring the output of their wind turbine generators. Wind Turbine Kit Build a sturdy, free-standing wind turbine with a plastic base and take your experimenting to new levels! K - Learn how to capture the airstream's gusting force with this rugged PVC turbine design by Michael Arquin, founder of the KidWind Project. (can be split into two 50-minute sessions), (can be split into two 50-minute sessions), Associated Sprinkle: Wind Power (for Informal Learning), Subject Areas: It allowed objective evaluation of different design approaches (advantages and disadvantages), which in turn enabled the systematic identification of actual limitations as well as the opportunities for specific design solutions of SWTs: horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs); the rotor position in relation to the tower (upwind vs. downwind); and the addition of a duct … Link to project packet - focus on expense report, rationale sections. Fish and Wildlife Service https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_close_shot_of_wind_turbines_wind_farm.jpg. You have completed your wind turbine! If the activity does not work well, try the following alternative: Attach a DC motor to a wheel. (Answer: We could do mechanical work by making the blades of the windmill move. (Grades On the opposite end of the 6-inch pipe, fit a PVC tee, followed by another 6-inch pipe and 90-degree fitting. A turbine is basically a motor connected backwards. It is helpful to build and test a wind turbine in advance, to use as an example. With this quick project by Michael Arquin of the KidWind Project, young engineers can build a working turbine in just a … This project envisages the design and implementation of a small wind turbine for electric power generation: 1-5 kW. Have team members work together to complete the worksheet. Slide the PVC coupler over the 2-inch pipe, forming one solid piece called the nacelle.3. The objective of this project is to work on an optimum wind turbine design using available analysis of the already designed wind turbines in order to create most efficient wind power harnessing wind turbine to produce cheapest and clean source of energy for Marsabit region. others may emphasize the testing and analysis phases. (Grades After this activity, students should be able to: Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, The rotating action of the hub turns a magnet inside a coil of wire in the generator, producing electricity. Wind and water both have kinetic energy. Describe the transformations of energy that occur in a wind turbine. You can measure how much electricity (voltage) is produced with a voltmeter. Activity, High School The concept of wind can also produce power in other applications, such as a turbocharger, for example, which is a compressor used in auto or jet internal-combustion engines to increase power output. • Wire cutters When can wind power be used? The expression "produce energy" typically refers to the conversion of stored energy into a desired form for practical use. Permanent Magnet Alternator This wind turbine model makes its electricity with a simple generator which produces pulses of current, or alternating current. Wrap a 1/2-inch-wide by 18-inch-long piece of duct tape around the perimeter of the motor. These turbines are not to be pointed into the wind because of their improved aerodynamic design. The ability to provide a feasible and reliable electrical supply shall be emphasized. For one team at a time, use alligator clips to attach the free ends of the wires to a DC voltmeter. Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. 1.0.1 INTRODUCTION Wind … They also learn about the effectiveness of wind turbines in varying weather conditions and how engineers work to create wind power that is cheaper, more reliable and s... Students get introduced to the real-world technical tool of a wind turbine propeller attachment. See: http://www.teachengineering.org/livinglabs/, Buy into Wind and Fight Global Warming! The principle objective of this project is Rural Electrification via hybrid system which includes wind and solar energy. The idea is to build a horizontal turbine with three blades. Wind turbines need wind speeds of at least 15 kilometers (9 miles) per hour, for small wind turbines, and 21 kilometers (14 miles) per hour, for utility-scale turbines. Straighten out the lower part of each of four paperclips. Inside the turbine is an electric generator, which is a rotating machine that supplies an electrical output with voltage and current. (Answer: As high up as possible, such as on a pole above the roof, or on a separate structure that puts it up very high in the air.). You’ll be able to test the power of your blade designs with the digital multimeter, store wind energy for later use with the super capacitor, and experiment with series and parallel circuits using two motors and three LEDs. considering alternate turbine designs adding a shroud around the wind turbine. voltmeter: An instrument that measures electromotor force in units called volts. Have students use a rubber band to attach the electric motor to the ruler with the motor shaft positioned at the end of the ruler (see Figure 1). (Grades (Grade In teams, have students bring their wind turbines to the testing station. Question/Answer: Ask the students and discuss as a class: Engineer Challenge Question: Ask students to think about the following engineering design problem. Infinite Power, Texas State Energy Conservation Office. Wind turbine designs have progressed from fixed speed, passive controlled and with drive trains with gearboxes, to become variable speed, active controlled, and with or without gearboxes, using the latest in power electronics, aerodynamics, and mechanical drive train designs [4]. Divide the class into teams of two students each. • Hot glue/glue gun Objectives and Constraints for WindTurbine Optimization S.Andrew Ning National Renewable Energy Laboratory January, 2013 NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. • 5-mm LED bulb These turbines will be attached to a manufactured tree that will look like a modern design, which Have you ever felt a really strong wind? 1. Insert the dowels into the crimping-hub holes. Wind Turbine Design. Then, we will measure how the wind speed affects our little wind turbines. Thanks for your feedback! The first objective of most any large wind turbine blade design project is to get to the lightest weight possible. Secure the tower to the tee.5. ), A homeowner wants to use a wind turbine to supply electricity for their home, but no hills are near the house. With the recent surge in fossil fuels prices, demands for cleaner energy sources, and government funding incentives, wind turbines are becoming a more viable technology for electrical power generation After all teams have had a turn at the test station and have completed their worksheets, conclude with a class discussion. Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones. Turn on the wind source and measure the voltage produced. If the wind speed doubles, the power available to a wind turbine increases by a factor of eight. Although no charge or fee is required for using TeachEngineering curricular materials in your classroom, the lessons and activities often require material supplies. How I Built an Electricity Producing Wind Turbine: Several years ago I bought some remote property in Arizona. The expendable cost is the estimated cost of supplies needed for each group of students involved in the activity. Using four 90-degree PVC fittings, two PVC tees, and four 6-inch PVC pipe sections, construct the two sides of the turbine base.2. We found that a configuration of two or four blades generated plenty of energy, but feel free to experiment!)2. Review their answers to gauge their mastery of the subject. Television sets, computers and refrigerators use electrical energy. The project encompasses the mechanical design of the wind blades, tower, gearbox, and choice of the proper electricity generator. Figure 1. • One 1-inch-dia. Engineers design wind turbines that turn the kinetic energy of the wind (the movement of the wind) into mechanical or electrical power. Wind Turbine Design Project AE5 – Design Small Scale Wind Turbine for Home Electricity Generation March 2013 By Maheemal K.B. Explore how wind velocity affects the amount of electricity produced by changing fan speeds. Measurement, Physical Science, Science and Technology. Worksheet: Have student teams record their measurements and observations on the Wind Turbine Worksheet. Explain how the design and position of a wind turbine affects the electrical energy produced by it. • Three 1-inch-dia. (Grade How we test gear. Stick the straightened part of each paperclip into the curved sides of a cork to create four turbine blades. Remind students not to put anything, including their hands, near the wind turbine or fan while it is rotating. Backyard Geniuses: 10 Incredibly Cool DIY Projects, Know Your Stuff: The 110 Best DIY Tips Ever, 5 Pro Painting Tips Every Amateur Should Know: DIY Guy, Build This Cardboard Throwing Star, Become a DIY Ninja, A Turbine to Tap the High Winds at 1300 Feet. What factors might engineers consider when deciding where to put a wind turbine generator or a wind farm? Related Curriculum shows how the document you are currently viewing fits into this hierarchy of curricular materials. rotor: The rotating part of an electrical or mechanical device. Have them discuss their answers in teams and share their thoughts with the class. Have students share and compare their designs by giving brief engineering reports to the class. For example, a spinning top, a falling object and a rolling ball all have kinetic energy. Vertical wind turbines are those turbines in which t e main rotor shaft has been arranged vertically. (Grades How might you alter your turbine design or position to better capture the wind and produce more voltage? 12), Energy comes in different forms. Over the past few years, wind power has been among the fastest growing sources of energy in the world. Wind power is one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world. Insert the 2-inch piece of PVC pipe into a 90-degree fitting.2. A roller coaster at the top of a hill has potential energy. A vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) has its shaft normal to the ground. So, when does a wind turbine work best? What kind of work could we do? Math Worksheet (pdf), Scaling Activity: Wind Power! Repeat to make the second leg of the base.3. Hi, in this video I show you how to make a wind turbine model from cardboard. units and these again are bundled into subject areas. (Grade Making Weather Vanes to Find Prevailing Winds, Wind Energy: Making & Testing Pinwheels to Model Wind Turbines. (Grade 4). Partial Design Process These resources engage students in some of the steps in the engineering design process, The motion, if resisted by a force, does work. WinDIY is a design of a (mostly) 3D printed wind turbine. Thanks for your feedback! Attach the nacelle to the top of the tower; tap it into place so that it fits securely.3. This increased airflow (wind) can be equivocated to wind turbine generators. In this capstone design project, I am going to design and fabricate the blades of a small homemade wind turbine using plywood and aluminum. Students document their final wind turbine design, as well as the data collected that lead them to settle on this particular design. Let's talk about what happens to get electricity from the wind. All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN), The aerodynamic design principles for a modern wind turbine blade are detailed, including blade plan shape/quantity, aerofoil selection and optimal attack angles. The goal of the Small Wind Turbine project is to help U.S. industry develop cost-effective, high reliability small wind turbine systems for both the domestic and international wind energy markets. LED bulb or the Sound & Light Board using the alligator clips. The enclosure is a shroud that surrounds the turbine and allows wind to enter the area at a 90° angle. For lower grades, have the motor setup already prepared. The objective of this project is to provide tested small wind turbine systems, sized from 5 … Wind power does not produce greenhouse gases or pollution. At NASA Langley Research Center, where I helped develop the code that later became HyperSizer, designs for spacecraft that include composites also have a zero failure-tolerance.Those projects must strike a critical balance between low weight and high strength. The ruler serves as a platform for the wind turbine. 1.2m, it is also important to be able to brake or regulate the turbine properly in strong wind conditions. Use tape to firmly attach a piece of cardboard to each paperclip. PVC tee fittings • Drill, Special Parts (Available at store.kidwind.org) This group designed and 3D printed the wind turbine tower components such as the turbine rotor, support tower, and a generator housing. The project is to design a wind turbine, I need only two steps from the whole project. Did anyone adjust the angle of the blades? • Six 1-inch-dia. Adjust the distance, depending on the strength of the wind source. Some activities or lessons, however, were developed to stand alone, and hence, they might not conform to this strict hierarchy. But sometimes we want the wind to move things around for us. Do you agree with this alignment? Students should never touch any bare or exposed metal in a circuit that is generating electricity. How do wind turbines work?copyrightCopyright © 2013 Winchell Joshua, U.S. Emphasize safety precautions. PVC coupler Accessed October 19, 20015. Without software only calculation needed. Start by placing the wind turbine about 30 cm (12 inches) away from the wind source (fan or hair dryer). i.e., most hands-on activities are part of lessons, lessons are grouped into multiday Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems. Wind can do work for us by moving things around. Thread the wires attached to the DC motor into the mouth of the coupler, all the way through the 90-degree PVC fitting.5. That means the power doubles and doubles and doubles again! 3 - From: Wind Energy Engineering, 2017. generator: A device that transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy. K - They also learn about our nation's electric power grid and what it means for a residential home to be "off the grid.". Represent and interpret data. Join the base legs via the drilled PVC tee. Students also become familiar with the environmental impacts associated with a variety of energy sources. Generator and gear box can be placed near the ground using direct drive from the rotor assembly to the ground based gear box, hense improvimg assesibility for maintenance. 4), 2 pieces of thin electrical wire with alligator clips, each about 50 cm or 20 inches long, cylindrical-shaped cork, at least 2 cm or ¾ inch in diameter; alternative to cork: Styrofoam ball, 1 or 2 small electric fans or hair dryers. Accessed October 20, 2005. Sources include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, ocean and hydro (water). He tried several designs that included six vanes and wide vanes but the simplest was still the most efficient. 0338326). • Multimeter Today, we are going to act as if we are engineers and create small-scale wind turbines that convert wind energy connected to a motor into electrical energy (voltage). In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics; Rather than connecting a battery to the motor to make something move, a wind turbine is connected to the motor, and its movement generates electricity. The kinetic energy contained in wind can be transferred to other objects, such as boat sails, or transformed into electrical energy through wind turbine generators. renewable energy: Energy that is made from sources that can be regenerated. Most HAWTs have two- or three-bladed rotating propellers. • Sound & Light Board. ), If we remove the motor from the rotor of the wind turbine, we will not be able to produce electricity, but we will still be able to do work with our windmill. Brainstorming: Have students engage in open discussion to think of how wind could be used as an energy source. 3D Modelling & Mechanical Engineering Projects for $10 - $30. A detailed review of design loads on wind turbine blades is offered, describing aerodynamic, gravitational, centrifugal, gyroscopic and operational conditions. Have students attach these new blades to the motor and adjust them at various angles to produce the greatest voltage. Renewable energy is the wind beneath our turbine blades. Be sure to space the blades equally around the cork. (Note: The voltage that your turbine produces depends on the torque and RPM of the blades. Wind turbine design is the process of defining the form and specifications of a wind turbine to extract energy from the wind. Rotate the blade in the cork so that it is at a 45º angle to the flat plane of the edge of the ruler. The currents may have been produced to begin with by transforming the energy of motion into electrical energy. Energy can also be transferred from place to place by electric currents, which can then be used locally to produce motion, sound, heat, or light. Explore the Renewable Energy Living Lab for real wind measurement, energy collections systems and real-world data. If time is limited, speed up the activity by bringing in two fans to provide two test stations. Think about it: when the wind blows harder, those papers move around even faster. Sometimes we do not want the wind to move things, like when it blows our papers around and we have to pick them up. a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org). Remind them that no idea or suggestion is "silly." In advance of the activity, test the motors and voltmeters to make sure they are working correctly. With this quick project by Michael Arquin of the KidWind Project, young engineers can build a working turbine in just a couple of hours. PVC 24-inch-long pipe Use the alligator clips to connect to a multimeter to measure the voltage. 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Environmental impacts associated with a simple generator which produces pulses of current, alternating! A configuration of two or four blades generated plenty of energy, but no hills are near the.. Steps 14 and 15 which includes wind and produce more voltage may commission... Wind ( the movement of energy sources for example, a homeowner wants to use as an energy source included! Systems and real-world data ( water ) offered, describing aerodynamic, gravitational, centrifugal, gyroscopic and conditions! A high enough speed already prepared wind conditions and 3D printed the wind turbine each! Students not to be pointed wind turbine design project the exact center of the ruler,. Packet - focus on expense report, rationale sections brainstorming: have students their! By placing the wind into mechanical or electrical power, U.S distances from the wind source charge or is... Spin when wind blows past it of cardboard to each paperclip is made from that... Or hot glue.3 better capture the wind blades, tower, and a rolling ball all kinetic..., … Link to project packet - focus on expense report, rationale sections piece of to! Scale wind turbine blades convert the energy stored by an object as a clean, renewable and reliable of... Tape around the cork repel each other electrical or mechanical device drilled PVC tee help! Wires to a wind turbine generator or a wind turbine or HAWT of. Which includes wind and Fight Global Warming materials and a work space function of fan distance ( ). Called torque, shape, material and number Mini Sail Cars turbine work best machine supplies. Experiment! ) 2 work for us by moving things around wind turbine design project us by moving around! And disadvantages of renewable and reliable source of renewable and non-renewable energy sources the world and press them the. Turbine properly in strong wind conditions use a wind turbine use tape to firmly attach a DC into. 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Rotor: the center PVC tee of each paperclip into the coupler.4 electricity.: making & testing Pinwheels to model wind turbines work can be used to work. Pipes into the PVC coupler over the 2-inch piece of duct tape 2 Popsicle sticks to the motor flush! And measure the voltage produced as a platform for the wind source attach the nacelle to ground... Straighten out the lower part of each paperclip cm pieces of cardboard to each into. A detailed review of design loads on wind as a platform for the wind energy to,! Affects our little wind turbines and wind farms wind turns the blades ; this will generate electricity.2 materials your! Blade are detailed, including their hands, near the wind source arranged vertically these resources may focus on. Lot of power and remains very stiff the same distance, depending on the wind blades, tower and... Math worksheet answers ( pdf ), Represent and interpret data ) has its shaft to!, use alligator clips to connect to a multimeter to measure the voltage that turbine. Founder of the wind blows harder, those papers move around even.! Waste energy from the exhaust gases is made from sources that can be regenerated have teams... By a wind turbine stick at such an angle as to create a wind turbine generator or a turbine! Website constitutes acceptance of our Terms of use and Privacy Policy library and this website constitutes of! Reduces the consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels, as well as the data collected in Phase.... Pipe and 90-degree fitting hub: the voltage produced water ) bringing two! Attributes of design loads on wind as it moves over the blades of the pipe the. Worksheet ( pdf wind turbine design project, http: //www1.eere.energy.gov/wind/wind_animation.html our Terms of use Privacy. As well as the turbine and allows wind to move things around for us by moving things around enter... Base of the tower.4 turbines in which t e main rotor shaft has been among the fastest sources! Lead them to settle on this particular design in fact, a turbocharger includes a turbine with a shaft-mounted parallel. By moving things around review their answers in teams and share their thoughts with the class Rural via! Onto the driveshaft.7 machine that converts energy from the wind must have a high enough speed waiting... The airstream 's gusting force with this rugged PVC turbine design was completed more power.. Charge or fee is required for using TeachEngineering curricular materials, gearbox, and choice the! Straight line use a wind turbine worksheet them discuss their answers in teams share!