Analysis of Wind Turbine Designs

Abstract

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and one of the most philanthropic men in history giving over 28 billion dollars to charity so far, states his number one wish for the world wouldn't be to rid the world of aids, vaccinate kids around the world, or feed every starving children; instead, it would be to invent and utilize a cheaper emission-free source of energy. My research aims to cut through the vast amounts of wind turbine designs and analyze the two most promising types. The first type is Small Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs), roughly 1.5 meters by 1 meter and generating roughly 500 watts. The second subclass which is less easily defined but generally termed modified or innovative horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs).

Project Significance and Background

As the world's population grows, and the already extensive use of technology in our daily lives expands and grows deeper ingrained into our lifestyles, many people overlook the shortcomings of this type of life style. What is powering iPods, computers, and televisions? Currently, the world releases over 26 billion tons of CO2 per year. Americans release about 20 tons of CO2 on a per capita basis annually; however poorer countries limit their annual per capita emissions to less than 1 ton. Many people fail to realize how much of a monetary burden cheap and clean energy would relieve for the poorest two billion people of this world. Some would argue it could in fact be the biggest fundamental change this world sees, when we have a viable solution. Almost everyone in rich countries overlooks the cost of electricity due to the small portion of our budget it accounts for [1]. Wind will need to be part of the clean energy equation. Using wind turbines alone could redu...

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