Vertical Turbine Generators (VAWTs) are a type of wind turbine generator that has the primary rotor shaft aligned in a vertical position. Using a vertical axis, both gearbox and generator can be situated at the ground; towers are not needed any more for mounting and are easy for maintenance. Drag might be produced when the blades oscillates into the wind.
Subtypes of Vertical Turbine Generators
Advantages of VAWT
Used Wind Generators are generally 2nd hand or re-used wind generator. Most of the used wind generators sold have damages such as damaged wind blade, defective generator, and old model, needs replacement parts and needs repairs. However used wind generators are up to 50% cheaper than brand new ones. A wind generator is a mechanical device that converts kinetic power in the wind into mechanical energy and then it is converted to usable electrical energy.
Most wind generators today are of two types: Horizontal Axis type and Vertical Axis type.
The Horizontal Axis type (HAWT) has the main rotor shaft and electrical generator located at the apex of a tower and must be pointed in the direction of the wind. Small turbines are guided into the proper direction using a device known as a wind vane, at the same time larger turbine generally use more advance wind sensor using a servo motor. Commonly, a gearbox that turns the sluggish rotation of the blades into a much faster rotation that is better applicable for wind electricity generation. HAWT has advantages in variable wind blades that can be adjusted to suit the maximum wind collection for different season; tall tower base can collect more energy in sites with wind shears, high efficiency because the blades will move perpendicularly to the wind.
The Vertical Axis type (VAWT) has the main rotor shaft positioned vertically. Advantages to this position are the wind turbine does not essentially to be at the direction of the wind to be useful, has advantage on sites which have high variability of wind direction and lesser noise signature than the HAWT.
Wind Generators for home use are installed to help reduce electricity bill. Savings may reach 50%-90% depending on location and model. It is common to home wind generator owners with homes powered by electricity to gain monthly bills of utterly $9-$16 or even less for 9 months. In areas of the United States that has less use of air-conditioning; bills can be less annually. The money saved from wind turbine use can vary on location, wind speeds, amount of electricity used, and the wind generator itself.
Homes in the United States approximately use more than 9,000 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity annually (more than 780 kilowatt-hour per month). Relying upon median wind speed of the vicinity, a wind turbine classified at the range of 6-16 kilowatts would be needed to make compelling benefaction to meet the demand.
Most wind generators for home use are around $6,000-$22,000 installed depending on size, energy production, and service agreements with the manufacturer. The wind system will usually bring investment back through utility savings within 6 to 15 years depending on several factors, and after that the electricity it provides will be free. In long term cases, a wind home generator is a good investment because a well-sited wind system increases value, similar to other home improvement and land. Most wind system buyers are in preparation for retirement because electricity rates can be unpredictable in years to come. Most manufacturers offer with assisted installations or self-install of the wind system. However the self-install is cheaper provide you have knowledge on proper installation.
Wind Turbine Generator is a mechanical rotating machine which converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy and then converted into useful electrical energy. Due to environmental and economical concerns, wind turbine can be an alternative source of energy and, does not produce harmful green house gases. Wind turbines especially in wind farm, require constant winds with high speeds; wind velocity and mass is also accounted in.
Wind turbines are constructed to capture and harness the wind energy that exists in a location. Through Aerodynamic modeling, one can determine the optimum tower height, blade number and control system.
20% of the total cost of the wind turbine is attributed to the rotor parts, which houses the wind generator turbine blades for transforming the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy.
34% of the total cost of wind turbine is attributed to the generator component, consist of the electrical dynamo, and regulates electrical components and gearbox; which converts the mechanical energy from the turbine to electrical energy.
15% of the total cost, concerns with the wind turbine that comes from the structural support component, which accommodate the tower and rotor yaw apparatus.
31% is attributed to other parts.
Wind Turbine Generators has impact on wildlife. Noise from the turbine may disturb certain hearing sensitive animals, birds and bats are often killed from collision of the blade. High quality wind locations are often far and inhospitable; creating obstacles in transmission logistics and maintenance. How ever wind turbine has much more favorable life cycle imparts than other alternatives.
Vertical Axis Wind Generator or Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) is a type of wind turbine that has its rotor shaft position vertically. VAWTs do not need for towers because of this arrangement; generator and gear box are placed near ground level, which is more accessible for maintenance. VAWTs can also utilize wind from any directions. Drawbacks of VAWTs are some design produce pulsating pulse, affects reliability. Wind speeds are more slower at near ground level, so less energy is available to be harnessed by the turbine. Air flow near ground level and other objects can produce turbulent flow, which creates vibration, noise, and bearing wear which lowers reliability of the turbine. However when mounted on top of buildings, this can double the speed as the building redirects wind over the roof.
VAWT advantages:
VAWT disadvantages: