IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

POWER GENERATION USING MAGLEV WINDMILL

Harshal Vaidya1, Pooja Chandodkar2, Bobby Khobragade3, R.K. Kharat4

1
Student, Department of EEE, Marathwada Institute of Technology, Maharashtra, India
2
Student, Department of EEE, Marathwada Institute of Technology, Maharashtra, India
3
Student, Department of EEE, Marathwada Institute of Technology, Maharashtra, India
4
Assistant Professor, Department of EEE, Marathwada Institute of Technology, Maharashtra, India

Abstract
The paper project describes the implementation of different type of a wind turbine for purpose of power generation. A vertical
axis wind turbine (VAWT) with use of magnetic levitation technology for optimal performance of wind turbine has been discussed.
With the merits of conventional VAWT, the merits of starting at low wind-speed, higher efficiency, low noise emission, etc. are
also discussed. The major consequence in front of conventional wind turbine is loss of energy during rotation. By using nature of
permanent magnet as a perfect replacement for ball bearings levitation of the turbine is intended thus reducing energy losses
while rotation. Using this effect wind turbine blades are placed on a rod for obtaining stability during rotation. Power is then
generated by using an axial flux generator, which has incorporated the utilization of permanent magnets and a set of coils.

Keywords: VAWT, Magnet, Magnetic Levitation, Wind Turbine, Energy, Wind Power
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1. INTRODUCTION fabrication and wastage of power. But comparing with

traditional VAWT the blades of magnetic VAWT are
An important factor in development of human resource is constructed for automatic pitch adjustment and hence
the Energy. As conventional energy sources are exhausting requirement of any equipment is eliminated. The adjustment
rigorously, the development of inexhaustible and renewable of blade pitch is performed naturally during rotation for the
energy resources, like wind, solar is essential for human life. necessary angle of attack. This results in production of
The wind power been utilized by human being for a greater maximum thrust of wind force improving the efficiency.
time period and the technology linked with it is more
modified compared to other non-polluting energies. Today
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
wind power is attracting the benefits of power sector and
their application is entering into quicker development. 2.1 Wind Power
The merits for vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) can be Wind is considered as another form of solar energy because
noted such as requirement of minimum cost, easy of its origination from difference in heating of atmosphere
installation, easy maintenance, and the capability to accept by sun. The winds relevant to applications of wind turbines
wind from all directions. Compared with the traditional are local winds and planetary winds. The second one is most
horizontal axis wind turbine, this type is levitated or available. Hence it constitutes as important consideration in
suspended with the help of magnetic levitation directing locating the sites for proper working of wind turbines. The
vertical on a rotor shaft. This technology is utilized as an locations of these winds are generally along sea shore,
efficient replacement for ball bearings having its application mountain, valleys and open plains.
on the traditional wind turbine. This technology is usually
implemented with permanent magnets and is used in The wind force may be very strong. During the ancient
between the rotating shaft of turbine blades and base of period, human harnessed this force for important usage like
wind turbine system. The entire rotor weight of wind turbine the propulsion of ships using sails before the invention of
is balanced by magnetic bearings. The friction of the the engines, in windmills for grinding grain or pumping
bearings is eliminated and hence need for bearing water for cause of irrigation. At the beginning of the
lubrication is also eliminated with decrease in the twentieth century concept of electricity found its use and
maintenance cost. windmills got converted into wind turbines with the rotor
coupled to an electric generator. Electricity generated from
Further, this magnetic suspension eliminates mechanical the wind does not produce Carbon Dioxide emissions and
vibration reducing noise. As low friction reduces starting therefore does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
torque of turbine, the magnetic bearings facilitates by
producing power at lower wind speed as compared with use 2.2 Types of Turbines
of conventional bearings. Wind Turbines are divided into two classes: horizontal axis
wind turbines (HAWTs) and vertical axis wind turbines
Normal VAWT requires very different adjusting mechanism (VAWTs).
for blades making its structure complicated, costly in

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IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

2.2.1. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

Horizontal axis wind turbine can be visualized as
conventional box fan, a set of blades connected to a shaft
that is parallel to the ground; however, function of turbine is
the opposite of a box fan. It normally consists of two to
three blades connected to a shaft that is connected to a
generator which will produce energy from shaft work. There
are two main types of HAWTs, ones that face into wind and
ones that face away from wind. Turbines that face into wind
require a rudder or some other type of mechanism to be able
to self-orientate to face incoming wind. Those that face
away from the wind do not need this rudder to self-orientate,
however they suffer from a vibration due to support tower
blocking part of wind flow.

Fig -2: Savonius Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

ii. Darrieus Turbine Type

French aeronautical engineer, Georges Darrieus invented
this turbine. Darrieus type blades use lift forces from wind
to rotate the blades. The blades have an airfoil shape, and
instead of being oriented horizontally as they would be on
an airplane, they are oriented vertically. The air that travels
along the outside of the curve must travel at a greater speed
than the air on the inside of the blade. This creates an area of
lower pressure on the outside of the blade, and therefore a
net force on the blade to the outside. By controlling the
angle of the blade, this net force causes the blade to rotate.

Fig -1: Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine

2.2.2. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Vertical axis wind turbines operate on same principle of
converting rotational movement due to wind into shaft work,
which is then converted into electricity through the use of a
generator. VAWTs contain a shaft that is perpendicular to
ground. Unlike the HAWTs, the VAWTs can catch the wind
regardless of the position that they are facing, which can
lead to them being more versatile. Also, VAWTs are able to
function in more irregular wind patterns than HAWTs are
able to. There are two primary blade designs that are used
for VAWTs that operate on different principles: the
Savonius type and the Darrieus type.

i. Savonius Turbine Type

Fig -3: Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Finnish engineer Sigurd Savonius invented the Savonius
model. Savonius type blade design uses aerodynamic drag There are many different variations of the traditional
from wind to rotate the blades and produce power. Savonius Darrieus type, also referred to as the “egg-beater” type;
type blades are rugged and simplistic. This can reduce costs these variations include the Giromill (or the “H-Type”
since they are easier to manufacture, need less maintenance, Darrieus), the Gorlov helical turbine, and the cycloturbine.
and can last longer in harsher environments. However, they Due to the blade going into the wind as opposed to with the
are roughly half as efficient as other lift type such as the wind (as it does in the Savonius type blade), it can spin
Darrieus designs. faster than the speed of the wind, which results in a higher
efficiency. However, this higher efficiency comes with a
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IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308

great cost. The blade is harder to manufacture than a 3.3 Generator

Savonius blade, increasing the cost of production. Also,
normal Darrieus type VAWTs are not self-starting, and thus The generator converts mechanical energy of the shaft into
needs to have a motor or other solution to bring it up to a electrical energy output. While designing the axial flux
sufficient speed where it can start producing its own energy. generator observation can be noted that the operating
capacity of generator depends on permanent magnet
alternators. For these generators air gap is arranged in
3. SYSTEM MODELLING
perpendicular direction to rotating axis and hence produces
3.1 Wind Power Generation magnetic fluxes in parallel direction to rotating axis.

3.4 How Power is Generated

Wind turbines serve as a means to transform the kinetic
energy of wind into power. This process begins when wind
contacts the turbine blades and transfers some of its kinetic
energy to them, forcing them to rotate. Since the blades are
connected to the main shaft through the rotor, the shaft
rotates as well, creating mechanical energy. The main shaft
is usually connected to a gear box which rotates a parallel
shaft at about 30 times the rate of the main shaft. At high
enough wind speeds, this amplification creates sufficient
rotational speeds for the generator electrical output.
Generators generally used in turbines are off-the-shelf and
use electromagnetic induction to produce an electrical
current. In these generators permanent magnets are arranged
surrounding a coil. The shaft connects to the magnet
assembly, spinning it around the stationary coil of wire and
creating a voltage in the wire. The voltage is what drives the
Fig -4: Block Diagram of Wind Power Generation electrical current out of the wire and into power lines to be
distributed.
When the air strike the blade of the turbine, due to the action
of repulsive force of the magnet the rotation of the blade 4. MAGNETIC SUSPENSION (LEVITATION)
increase resulting in rotation of the shaft. Hence induced
emf is generated in the generator. Output of turbine is AC 4.1 Principle
power. The bearing arrangement is totally replaced by the
Magnetic levitation can be explained as technology which
neodymium magnet which gives high repulsive force. With
suspends or levitates an object with the help of magnetic
the help of this force small amount of air pressure gives
forces for getting support without any contact and low
maximum rotation which results in large power generation.
friction during motion. Due to absence of mechanical
contact in the magnetic bearing, advantages of no wear and
3.2 Power from Wind Turbine tear, suitability for long-term use in any environment,
The power rises as cube of the wind velocity and can be absence of mechanical friction, low noise, less amount of
calculated with respect to area in which the wind and wind power loss and absence of lubrication or sealing can be
achieved. Therefore, this technology is beneficial for high-
velocity is available. When wind is in motion the energy
speed applications to satisfy the objective of eliminating
produced is kinetic energy. Hence the power from turbine is mechanical problems power loss.
related to the kinetic energy produced.
1
Kinetic Energy = MV 2 4.2 Use of Magnetic Levitation in Wind Turbine
2
The volume V’ flowing in unit time through an area A, with In recent years, due to rapid growth in the use of material for
wind speed V is denoted by AV and mass M is the product designing permanent magnet, the magnetic suspension using
of Volume V’ and density ρ so: M = ρAV permanent magnets are approaching towards wind turbine
Putting the M in equation of kinetic energy we get: application leading to reduction in the cost as well as
1 1 stringency of wind power. Due to use of magnetic levitation
Kinetic Energy = 2 (ρAV)V 2 = 2 (ρAV 3 ) concept the advantages marked below has obtained:
But Power is nothing but the kinetic energy generated by the 1. Reduction in starting wind speed
turbine. Due to elimination of friction the power output is increased
1 1 for the same value of wind speed. Hence reduction in
Hence, Power = 2 (ρAV)V 2 = 2 (ρAV 3 ) starting speed is obtained.
Where: Air Density (�) = 1.225 kg/m3 2. Due to utilization of magnetic levitation, design of the
Area (A) = Swept Area of turbine blades conventional wind turbine rotor has largely been affected.
Velocity (V) = wind speed in m/s

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The use of conventional bearings is based upon careful 5.2 Magnet Placement
lubrication for greater service life and higher reliability.
With the reduction in operational cost as well as Two ring shaped neodymium (NdFeB) magnets are arranged
maintenance cost of the bearings reduction in the downtime at middle of shaft by which necessary suspension between
of turbine is achieved improving the overhaul efficiency. stator and rotor is obtained. Similarly disc magnets having
parameters 10 mm in diameter and 4 mm height are placed
as one North Pole and one South Pole one after the other,
5. CONSTRUCTION OF PROTOTYPE
along the rotor circumference of 40 cm diameter. These
5.1 Magnet Selection magnets supply the useful flux which is utilized for the
power generation.
The four configurations in commercial list of magnets are
based on formation of their material each configuration of
magnet consisting with them its own magnetic properties.
Neodymium Iron Boron (Nd-Fe-B) is the new invention in
commercialized magnets which constitute highest magnetic
properties compared to other magnets at room temperature

From Figure-5 B-H curve depicts attractive magnetic

characteristic of Nd-Fe-B offering high flux density with the
ability of resisting the property of demagnetization.

Fig -6: Magnet Placement of NdFeB Magnets

Fig -5: B-H Curve of different Magnets

This configuration becomes most important because of

levitation of heavy load and rotation at high speeds
exhibiting a high force directing downward on the axis.

If shape of magnets considered where ring or circular, they Fig -7: Magnet Placement of Disc Magnets on rotor
can be placed on shaft with same poles facing each other
enabling repelling force to provide support to weight of
5.3 Coil Design and Arrangement
turbine which minimizes use of magnets required to fulfill
the idea. To design the definite number of turns per coil is difficult. If
the more turns are wound it increase the emf generated from
The permanent magnets selected were the N42 grade Nd-Fe- each coil but increase the size of every coil. For minimizing
B having ring shape which consist of nickel plating for the size, wire having higher gauge can be used. If the
strengthening and protecting the magnet.. diameter of wire is small low amount of current flows
leading to heating of wire because of the increased
resistance of wire which another difficult task.
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While designing generator for given application, fact must 5. CONCLUSION

be known that the problem attached with large coil size is
the problem field density. The increase in coil height The concept of vertical axis wind turbine using magnetic
increases gap between two magnets leading to reduction in levitation successfully worked. Comparing with traditional
magnetic flux. Hence necessary voltage and current must be horizontal wind turbines, single Maglev turbine having large
balanced. capacity gives more output.

The turbine efficiency is improved by utilization of magnets

helping to spin with fast speed with negligible friction as it
cancels out the stress on the shaft of the turbine. This
modern design of turbine gives more power output with
higher efficiency compared to conventional wind turbine.
For avoiding the vibration of the rotor, shaft was used..

The standard windmills having set of 1000 windmills

powers 5 lakhs homes while single maglev wind turbine is
capable supplying power to 7.5 lakhs homes. The required
area for single maglev windmill is less than 100 acres while
field of 1000 windmills require more than 64,000 acres.
From this observation we can say that a single maglev wind
turbine is economical compared to Conventional wind
Fig -10: Coil and Design turbine

The Coil placement is organised on the stator circumference 6. FUTURE SCOPE

exactly under the disc magnets placed on rotor. Each coil is
The vertical axis wind turbine with magnetic levitation may
kept in series to get maximum output voltage.
be mounted on residences. Here it can be erected on rooftop
with very efficient and practical approach. House owner
The wire used to design the turns of one coil is of 24 gauge
would be capable for extraction of free and clean energy
having 100 turns. 15 sets of coils are arranged in series
with a minimized utility cost. For medium power generation
connection in the prototype. The coil arrangement is shown
this design can be used.
in figure.
Power generated from this turbine can be utilized in remote
places where traditional method of supplying power is
costlier. Power generated from turbine can be efficiently
used for Street/domestic lighting and domestic appliances.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are thankful to Dr J. H. Godihal, Principal,
Marathwada Institute of Technology, Aurangabad for his
encouraging attitude. We are also grateful to the Prof. Mrs.
S. M. Badave, H.O.D, Dept. of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering for providing a solid background for our studies
and research thereafter. We would like to give our gratitude
and thanks to Prof. Ms. R. K. Kharat for her precious
guidance and encouragement.

We feel pleasure to express our profound gratitude to the

Fig -11: Coil Arrangement teaching and non-teaching staff of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering and our friends for their valuable
4.6 Blade Design encouragement, timely suggestions and continuous support
and providing us with all the necessary information.
Savonius type blade design is used because they are rugged
and simplistic reducing cost. The manufacture is easier, less Lastly, we feel obliged for blessings of our beloved parents
maintenance, and durable in harsher environments.
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