Date of Award
5-2017
Degree Type
Research Paper
Degree Name
Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy (ES&P)
Department
International Development, Community and Environment
Chief Instructor
Charles Agosta
Keywords
Urban Wind Power, VAWT, HAWT, Comparison
Abstract
Electricity production must shift towards carbon neutral sources such as wind power to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The wind resource in urban environments is challenging to predict but technologies, including computational fluid dynamics software, are making it possible. This software pinpoints suitable placement for wind turbines through models that show wind acceleration patterns over a building. Horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) have dominated the wind industry but vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) offer potential to outperform HAWTs in urban environments. VAWTs can handle turbulent and unconventional wind and generate energy at slower speeds, which is beneficial for these areas. A case study at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts analyzes the functionality of a HAWT and a VAWT. The machines are compared by their efficiencies due to an imbalance of rated power outputs. The machines’ average maximum power coefficients are similar. However, when the R2 values of the turbine’s power curves are compared the VAWT demonstrates greater capacity to track changes in the wind. This research is the first step in redefining the power systems employed at Clark University and the data will be utilized to find better locations for the wind turbines.
Recommended Citation
Winslow, Andrew R., "Urban Wind Generation: Comparing Horizontal and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts" (2017). Sustainability and Social Justice. 127.
https://commons.clarku.edu/idce_masters_papers/127
Worcester
Yes
