Mini-Vortex Bladeless Wind Generator

Glenn C. Palomo, Eula, Divine, Judy, Ely, Trishia, Kris

BSME 4A
College of Engineering, President Ramon Magsaysay State University
[email protected]
Introduction

The world is facing an energy crisis, and traditional wind turbines are not the

solution. They are noisy, visually impactful, and require high maintenance.

But what if there was a way to harness the power of wind energy more

sustainably and efficiently? The Mini-Vortex Bladeless Wind Generator is

a novel concept that uses the principles of vortex dynamics to generate

electricity from wind energy. This device can potentially revolutionize the

renewable energy industry by providing a compact, low-maintenance, and

cost-effective solution for small-scale wind energy generation.

The Mini-Vortex Bladeless Wind Generator is not just a novelty, but a

game-changer for various stakeholders. For instance, residential and

commercial property owners can benefit from a reliable and sustainable

source of energy, reducing their reliance on grid power and lowering energy

costs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also benefit from the

cost-effective and low-maintenance nature of the device, allowing them to

reduce their energy expenses and increase their competitiveness. Rural

communities can enjoy improved energy security and economic

opportunities, while environmental organizations can promote sustainable

energy practices and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Mini-Wind

Vortex Generator is not just a solution for the energy crisis, but a key player

in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly

SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and

Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Background and Purpose

The concept of Vortex Bladeless Wind Generators (VBWGs) has gained

significant attention in recent years as a potential game-changer in the wind

energy industry. VBWGs use a novel mechanism to convert wind energy into

electrical energy, which has the potential to be more efficient and quieter

than traditional wind turbines. According to Alonso et al. (2016), VBWGs

have the potential to be more efficient due to their ability to harness wind

energy at lower wind speeds, making them suitable for a wider range of

locations. López et al. (2018) also demonstrated the potential of VBWGs

through experimental investigations, showing that they can achieve high

efficiency and power output.

Despite the promising results, there is still a significant gap in the

understanding of VBWGs and their potential applications. A quick literature

review reveals that most studies have focused on the design and simulation

of VBWGs, with limited experimental data and few real-world applications.

For example, Zhang et al. (2019) used numerical simulations to investigate

the effects of different design parameters on VBWG performance, but there

is a need for more experimental data to validate these findings. Furthermore,

there is a lack of research on the economic and environmental impacts of

VBWGs, which is critical for their widespread adoption.

The purpose of this research project is to address the critical need for more

experimental data and real-world applications of VBWGs. Specifically, this

project aims to design, build, and test a prototype VBWG and investigate its

performance under different wind conditions. The project will also explore

the economic and environmental impacts of VBWGs and identify the

potential barriers to their adoption. By addressing these gaps in the

literature, this project has the potential to make a significant contribution to

the development of VBWGs and their integration into the wind energy

industry. The potential impact of this project is significant, as it could lead to

the development of more efficient and sustainable wind energy technologies

that can help mitigate climate change and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Project Description

The Mini Vortex Bladeless Wind Generator (Mini VBWG) project aims to

design, build, and test a miniature version of the Vortex Bladeless Wind

Generator (VBWG) technology. The Mini VBWG is a scaled-down version of

the original VBWG concept, designed to be more compact and affordable.

This project will investigate the feasibility of using the Mini VBWG as a

potential solution for small-scale wind energy applications, such as

residential or community-based power generation.

The research questions, goals, and objectives of this project are as follows:

 Research Questions: What are the optimal design parameters for the

Mini VBWG? How does the Mini VBWG perform under different wind

conditions?

 Goal: To design and test a prototype Mini VBWG that achieves high

efficiency and power output.

 Objective: To develop a comprehensive understanding of Mini VBWG

design parameters, to investigate the performance of the Mini VBWG

 under different wind conditions, and to identify the potential barriers to

its adoption.

The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining numerical

simulations, experimental testing, and economic analysis. The data collected

will include wind test results, power output measurements, and economic

assessment. The data will be analyzed using statistical softwares to identify

trends and patterns.

The project timeline is as follows: The first phase will be dedicated to design

and simulation, followed by experimental testing and data collection over the

next months. The final phase will be focused on data analysis and reporting.

The expected outcomes of this project include:

 A comprehensive understanding of Mini VBWG design parameters and

their impact on performance.

 A prototype Mini VBWG that achieves high efficiency and power output.

 Identification of the potential barriers to Mini VBWG adoption and

recommendations for overcoming them.

 A framework for economic analysis and cost-benefit assessments of

Mini VBWGs.

 A roadmap for the development of commercial-scale Mini VBWGs.

The impact of this project will be significant, as it has the potential to provide

a more affordable and accessible solution for small-scale wind energy

applications. The project will benefit directly the residential and community-

based wind energy market, as well as policymakers and the general public

by providing a cleaner and more sustainable source of energy.

Project Needs and Key Personnel

The estimated total cost for this project is P10,000, broken down into direct

expenses such as materials and equipment (3,000), and indirect expenses

such as personnel and overhead ($7,000). The project is expected to take

approximately a few months to complete, with the following milestones:

month 1 for design and prototyping, month 2 for testing and optimization,

and month 3 for finalization and documentation. We, the researchers, have a

background in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and machine

shop theory as graduating mechanical engineering students. Our team's

expertise should enable us to overcome the challenges of designing and

building a small-scale vortex wind generator and optimize its performance

for maximum energy output.

Budget Justification:

The budget for this project will cover the following expenses:
  Materials and equipment: P5,000 (PVC pipe, acrylic tube, cutter,

motor, diode, rectifier, capacitor, jumper wires, and connectors)

 Personnel: P2,000 (Machinist or Fabricator)

 Overhead: P2,000 (office supplies, travel, and miscellaneous

expenses)

 Miscellaneous: P1,000 (contingency fund for unexpected expenses)

Initial Budget Spreadsheet:

Category Estimated Cost

Materials and Equipment P5,000

Personnel P2,000

Overhead P2,000

Miscellaneous P1,000

Total P10,000

Note: This is an initial budget estimate and may be subject to change as the

project progresses.

Impact of Project
By successfully developing a small-scale vortex wind generator, this project

will have a profound impact on the community and the targeted MSMEs. The

expected outcomes will not only contribute to the advancement of wind

energy technology but also provide a tangible solution to the energy needs

of rural areas. By increasing access to renewable energy, we will empower

MSMEs to reduce their energy costs, increase their productivity, and

ultimately, drive economic growth and development. Furthermore, this

project will demonstrate the potential for small-scale wind energy to play a

significant role in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of

climate change. As such, this project is poised to make a meaningful

difference in the lives of MSMEs and the community, and we believe that its

outcomes will have a lasting impact on the region.

References

Alonso, J. M., et al. (2016). Vortex bladeless wind generator: A novel concept for
wind energy conversion. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 753(1), 012001. doi:
10.1088/1742-6596/753/1/012001

López, A. M., et al. (2018). Experimental investigation of a vortex bladeless wind

generator. Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 10(4), 043301. doi:
10.1063/1.5034444

Zhang, J., et al. (2019). Numerical simulation of a vortex bladeless wind generator.
Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 193, 103-114. doi:
10.1016/j.jweia.2019.03.012

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nUNIlJPFf8