How to Redesign the Center for Renewable Energy Education Wind Turbine?

Abstract:

The ISF Academy in Hong Kong installed a solar microgrid (20 KWp) on the roof of the school. Alongside the microgrid, the Center for Renewable Energy Education (CREE) was also installed and is an outdoor laboratory showcasing several different types of renewable energy. A small vertical wind turbine was installed as a part of the CREE.

The current wind turbine is a LE - v50 vertical turbine with a peak output of 70 watts and a cut in speed of 5 meters/ second. The ISF weather station has recorded the wind speed data for several years. The data proves this is an unfit technology because the cut in wind speed is seldom above 5m/s. The surrounding slopes around ISF Academy provide sheltered wind protection. The purpose of this project is to model the wind patterns in Telegraph Bay where ISF is located, and redesign a wind turbine that demonstrates wind energy potential in Hong Kong. This will include an analysis of the weather data, an evaluation of small scale wind turbine technologies, and a prototype of the chosen design. Creative solutions and partnerships with nearby corporations will also be explored.