Improving the Efficiency of a Savonius Wind Turbine Learning Module Experiment for Distance Learning Courses

To improve student outcomes in a wind energy course, a mobile wind energy experiment and learning module for distance learning was prototyped. A Savonius wind turbine design was chosen due its relatively simple construction and quality start up characteristics. Traditional Savonius wind turbines consist of two semicircle cups placed around a shaft to create an s-shaped rotor attached to a geared generator. The prototype gear box was removed from the turbine for intimal assessment because the rotor was unable to overcome the torque requirement at the wind speeds tested. The electrical power generation of this prototype wind turbine was evaluated using a blower at three different wind velocities; 16.9m/sec, 19.8m/sec, and 21.9m/sec. The peak electrical power output at the maximum wind speed tested was 2.7 Watts, which was 40% less than the theoretically predicted output.
A research team of undergraduate students, funded by the Clemson University Creative Inquiry Program, is tasked with designing a new rotor that would yield a greater electrical power output. The team consists of students in their freshman to senior years, pursuing majors in mechanical or electrical engineering at Clemson, and enrolled in one credit hour of research.
The team focused on changing the rotor geometry. The redesigned turbine consists of two modified Savonius rotors that are stacked atop of each other, and offset from one another. The rotor blade geometry is changed to be more elliptical in shape and offset from the shaft of the wind turbine to increase rotor speed. The new system will be evaluated for the same testing conditions to determine how much improvement the changes in rotor geometry improve electrical power output. The new design is currently being manufactured by the campus machine shop.

Author(s):

Lamar Bostick    
Clemson University
United States

Chris Knippenberg    
Clemson University
United States

Hayden Wilson    
Clemson University
United States

Jennifer Asselin    
Clemson University
United States

John Wagner    
Mechanical Engineering
Clemson University
United States

Todd Schweisinger    
Mechanical Engineering
Clemson University
United States