The development of a wind turbine system for small scale applications

Abstract

The purpose of the present project is to design a new wind turbine with a maximum power output ranging in between 6 and 8kW. The targeted retail price is €5000. For achieving the project goals it was first intended to reverse engineer an existing wind turbine, the Proven WT6000, which fitted the project target from the technical point of view, it had a power rating of 6kW. Unfortunately, the price for this turbine is more than two times the one desired for the new turbine, and also the data that can be obtained about it is very limited, firstly because some parts would have to be destroyed in the process and secondly because the manufacturer, for obvious reasons, would not disclose key data about the manufacturing of their product. Mainly due to the very significant price difference, and encouraged by the various shortcomings of reverse engineering, it was decided that WT6000 will be kept as a technical benchmark, in terms of its stated performances, but a different approach was needed to the construction of the turbine. To find out a new way of approaching the design, the first thing required was to accumulate extensive knowledge about wind turbines. That is why, the first step was to gather as much data as possible about their historical evolution, about the technology that they involve, and to put together the theoretical information that is absolutely necessary for designing the different parts. Only after this step was completed it was possible to make an informed decision over the general direction that should be taken. In the second step, the new design was completed,aimed basically at meeting the output target, but at the same time employing the cheapest and simplest solutions, where possible. In the third stage the design was verified from the structural point of view. A price estimation was also performed, in an attempt to form an overall image, and to see if the design approach has or not the capability of leading to a product offered on the market for €5000.