krishan meetoo redesigns wind turbines with 3D printed device
all images courtesy of krishan meetoo design studio
the new energy harnessing concept by UK krishan meetoo design studio is an aerodynamic device focused on improving the issues of current wind turbines, developed in collaboration with the support of samsø energy academy, danish wind industry association, siemens wind power, coemi UK and aston university. the renewable energy sector has recently heralded wind power as the solution to combat rising co2 emissions. however, there are significant issues in intermittent performance and integration within the grid.
the wind turbine was developed through computational fluid dynamics (CFD), a technique used to solve problems that involve fluid flows. this method provides a number of savings in cost and time compared to conventional wind tunnel tests. design of experiments (DOE) were used to quickly develop an understanding of the relationships between design parameters and the desired performance of the new device. once completed the concept was 3D printed in stereo-lithography (SLA) and its surfaces validated in wind tunnel tests. taking components used in airplane wing construction, the final design is composed of a skeletal structure made from composite sections and complemented with a hydro-phobic fabric outer skin.
dispelling the myths, here is the current sate of play of current technologies
a wide range of concepts were evaluated ranging from single to multiple diffuser arrangements
the concept was developed with a number of revolutionary technologies including CFD, DOE & 3D Printing
diagram showing how the device functions
the turbine serves to increases the velocity of air by creating a pressure drop behind the device. this is achieved by channeling air through the primary aerofoil (1) and re-energizing passive air through the separation gap (2). a venturi effect is formed due to inducing a greater wind mass flow (3), ultimately resulting in greater power.
the concept provided several landmark achievements during design and development
final design based on airplane wing construction, made from a composite structure and hydro-phobic fabric outer skin
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
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I do not understand the thinking here. These constructions are ugly and way more expensive than existing HAWT designs.
Is the aim to prove that diffuser works and could be designed better or is the aim to find an alternative to HAWT’s all together.
When you develop a design concept it is critically important that you think strategic and that you aim to solve a real problem.
Regarding the Betz equation ducted wind turbines never achieve performance beyond the Betz limit but may well achieve higher performance than standard HAWT’s due to the eliminated problem with the tip vortices.
Regarding LCOE the ducted solution may also outperform HAWT’s if the lifetime expectancy can be improved by lessened vibrations.
The core problem is not CFD analysis of the ducts but analysis of how to make them cheap to produce and erect.
Spot on Mike Barnard. And to claim performance almost three times Betz is absurd. Another “breakthrough” that will no doubt soon disappear…
Sorry but this one while it will work, will cost far more than just increasing the dia by 63% without the heavy, costly, hard to support shroud for the same output.
Shrouds just can’t be worthwhile compared to a regular 3 blade WT by basic physics, weight. At least not cost effectively.
Great concept and a unique design. I have one suggestion for Krishan. If the weight of the blade is taken off the axle of the generator rotor and transferred to the stationary ring (front airstream concentrator) by fixing the blade tips with tapered-roller bearings sliding on a outer bearing race mounted on the concentrator, the mechanical efficiency of the turbine can be enhanced even further. It will be a great idea to develop a micro-turbine for off-grid domestic application. Currently micro-turbines have not become popular and widespread for two reasons: (i) limitation of minimum wind speed needed, which is around 5-7 m/sec, and (ii) need for minimum pole height of 3 m to avoid turbulent flow of windstream in the vicinity of concrete structures over building rooftops. I would be much interested to collaborate on such a development in micro-turbines.
FAntastics news!!! Let’s get these up and running ASAP please!!!
Pretty, but also pretty unlikely. This triggers about eight of thirteen red flags from my list of questions that should be asked about any novel wind generation device. He’s inverted the shroud and called it a diffuser which is amusing, but other than that it shares the problems with shrouded technology, which is that what seems to work in simulation just never works out in the real world, despite over 80 years of attempts.
The diffuser itself of course creates a huge and expensive surface that is both much more costly than traditional HAWTs but also much more fragile and subject to wind buffeting induced failure, as others in this space keep finding out.
It’s pretty typical for efforts such as this to both attack the iconic HAWT technology and get their facts about HAWTs wrong. Pity that this design studio managed it while according to them being in collaboration with organizations involved in the wind industry; you would have thought they might think to have their facts checked and to no attack their collaborator’s. Bad form in multiple ways.
All-in-all, the odds that this 3D-modeler has found something that has eluded every other person, group, serious research institute and governmental agency engaged in harvesting wind energy for the past 100 years are virtually zero. But they do make pretty models.
http://barnardonwind.com/2013/05/08/invest-carefully-wind-energy-innovations-are-rarely-kosher/
krishan,
I am interested in knowing the test result of a specific size wind turbine (i.e. 4 or 6 feet rotor) in terms of kWp? I see this as auxiliary power to the Zero Energy cost renewable vessel being developed. Looking forward to receiving a response and having a dialogue with you.
Regards,
Henning Jacobsen
HJA Solutions
Incredible invention that can really be useful for the environment. Anything created for the good of the environment is always good since it means making the world a better place to live in. What’s more amazing is that, it is done through 3D printing.