Structural analysis of a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine with a cylinder in the central axis

12/04/2018

Wind energy has benefited from a rising interest in the development of new and innovative solutions for harvesting wind power. Some projects have focused on harvesting wind from higher altitudes – the high-altitude wind energy systems. This thesis follows the design and development of a new wind turbine concept, which consists of applying the concept of a vertical axis wind turbine to an airborne module, based on the Magnus effect, already developed by Omnidea. This work will assess the viability of such a project. To start, a few concept ideas were compared in a concept screening process. Having chosen the main design, core parameters and values were analysed and chosen in order to maximize the efficiency. The next step was to design the mechanical components needed for the structure and define materials, taking into account the importance of minimizing the weight. For the system to float, the total weight of the structure and every part attached to the balloon could not weigh more than the buoyancy offered by the balloon – approximately 250 kg. After a design update, brought by the results of the finite element analyses, the total weight of the system rounded up to 264 kg. This could be addressed by creating a new module with higher length; or adding a smaller balloon to the existing one that could provide extra buoyancy.

Authors in the community:

• 

  C

  Catarina Correia Gonçalves

  ist176044

Supervisors of this institution:

• 

  A

  António Manuel Relógio Ribeiro

  ist12694

mechanical-engineering - Mechanical engineering

por - Portuguese

Instituto Superior Técnico