KidWind Challenge 2014Research Statement

Antilles School U.S.V.I.

Hurricane Winds

Research• Different Designs: There are two types of turbines, vertical and

horizontal. Vertical Horizontal

• Vertical turbines are less efficient . They have a greater amount of surface area needed which produces more drag.

• Blade Design

Wind Energy Used in the Virgin Islands:

• In the U.S. Virgin Islands conventional energy is extremely expensive, making alternate sources of energy a necessity for our islands.

• Wind power is clean and would be optimal for our islands due to how much wind the islands receive.

Peter Island Resort• Private Island that upgraded to wind power in the past

decade.• The island is primarily powered by four Diesel Generators.• The two wind turbines can power excess of 50% of the entire

island on good windy days.

• Photo Credit: http://www.peterislandwindproject.com/

First DesignBlades• Degree: 15 Degrees is optimal blade

angle also tested at 45,30,25, 20, and 10 degrees.

StandVertical stand made from recycled wood from past theater productions.

First Turbine without gears

• BladesThe blade materials were made of balsa wood

• Final Data/Energy(4) Magnets (4) Balsa Wood Blades

4 magnets=1.7v2 magnet 0.6v6 wraps & 2 Magnets =2.4v6 wraps & 1 Magnet = 1v10 wrap & 2 Magnets = 3.4vIncreased wraps increased output significantlyMore magnets increased energy output

8” blades (4) 1.1v – pitch 30 degrees8” baldes (4) 1.8 v – pitch 10-15 degrees10” blades (4) .9 v

Final Design

Stand & Blades• Degree: 15 Degrees is optimal blade angle also

tested at 45,30,25, 20, and 10 degrees.• Recycled wood from past theatre productions• Balsa wood birdhouse was removed to improve

results

Gear Box• 8:1 ratio• KidWind Gear set• We decided on a gear box to get the best

possible efficiency

Wind Energy• Today• Local- Locally wind energy has not yet become prevalent.• Global- Globally wind energy has revolutionize the world by becoming a

cheap clean alternative energy source.

• The future• Local future- Our island may not be able to depend on local utility

companies such as WAPA .But we will always be able to depend upon our local trade winds that are almost constantly blowing .

• Global• Future Designs

Thank you