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Vertical Wind Turbines
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Interest in alternative sources of energy has been growing exponentially as the world has realized that our use of fossil fuel resources is unsustainable. Energy resources such as solar energy are currently occupying the headlines, but other green alternatives are perfectly viable as well. Wind resources are gaining in popularity, and vertical wind turbines are helping in the push towards a sustainable energy economy.
Wind power is not a new concept. For centuries, mankind has used the power of the wind to generate mechanical energy; using it for everything from grain mills to water pumps. During the late 19th century, the idea that the kinetic energy of the wind could be used to generate electricity was revolutionary. However, within a few decades, the use of wind turbines became wide spread; especially in areas that did not have access to any community energy grid.
In modern times, energy generated from wind power is being given another look. Both horizontal and vertical wind turbines are being used to produce electricity, but the vertical designs seem to be better suited for small-scale endeavors. There are many different vertical designs available to the masses, but they all fit into one of two basic categories; those based on drag, and those based on lift. Each basic design category has its own good and bad characteristics.
Vertical wind turbines of the drag-based design are by far the most common variety. These turbines rely on having a means of capturing the wind in order for them to operate. They commonly use scoops or other means of catching the wind as a sort of paddle, and as the wind blows across these “paddles” it causes them to rotate. As the paddles rotate with the wind, they turn the drive shaft which causes the creation of electricity through the generator. The trick with this type of design is that the scoops or paddles can never spin faster than the wind is blowing, and as a result their tip speed ratio (TSR) can never exceed a factor of 1. This has a limiting effect on the amount of power that they can generate.
Lift-based vertical wind turbines, on the other hand, can generate a much higher degree of power. This is because they use blades that are designed to act as an air foil, which can be used to generate an immense amount of torque. This is why their TSR ratings are most often higher than a factor of 1. These designs are most often seen in a kind of egg-beater design, with the blades attached at the top and bottom of the drive shaft, and bowing out in the middle. Lift-based designs do have their downside though. For one, at certain RPM's they can generate a great deal of vibration that must be controlled. Secondly, these designs often require cables extending from the top to points away from the turbine in order to stabilize the device. This creates problems with the amount of space that is required.
Vertical wind turbines are not as effective when it comes to commercial energy production. However, their simple design and the relative ease by which they can be installed make them an ideal solution small-scale uses, such as a single home or a small farm.
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