wind turbines (BAWT) on the science center at Clarkson University and begin producing wind

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1 Problem Statement Wind power is a fast growing form of alternative energy and has a potential to make an impact on our campus and community. Our project s goal is to mount two building augmented wind turbines (BAWT) on the science center at Clarkson University and begin producing wind energy. This will create a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy for our school. We have been measuring wind speeds above the science center for the last year and we plan to mount the turbines this summer. Also, we will be measuring the efficiency of the micro-wind turbines and the influence that structures have on wind flow and velocity. Currently, we have three wind anemometers collecting wind speed data above the science center at different heights. Once we mount the turbines, the anemometers will be moved next to the turbines. Then, the efficiency of the turbines can be calculated since the actual wind speed will be known. We hope to prove the feasibility of micro-wind power on our campus so that more people will invest in micro-wind energy. The data that we collect will be used to find the most effective and economical way to harness wind energy. This data will also be used by energy engineers as a reference for sizing other micro-wind turbine projects. Wind energy has the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The system is expected to produce 6,000-8,000 kilowatt-hours annually. This is the approximate equivalent to burning 1,000 kilograms of coal. An average United States household uses around 10,000 kilowatt-hours annually making the BAWT system size comparable to what would be necessary for a single family home.

2 Project Summary Our project will create a further understanding of the wind map on our campus and over buildings that wind turbines would be placed. Knowing how the wind acts will help us understand the how turbines work in a building environment. This can be used as reference for anyone considering purchasing a micro-turbine. We have been researching the most efficient methods of harnessing wind energy for our campus and for anyone else in our community who is looking at utilizing wind energy. After collecting wind speed measurements for months, we are in the process of mounting two turbines. The wind is influenced in many different ways. Obstacles like tree and buildings can reduce the amount of wind a turbine might receive. Also, different heights and elevations have different average wind speeds. Furthermore, by placing turbines on buildings, these turbines can make use of an accelerated wind flow cause by the building. Our data predicts that there is turbulence right above the building, but as it gets higher, the turbulence goes away. The wind also has a higher average speed with higher elevation. The two building augmented turbines will be placed at two different heights of 34 feet and 29 feet. This will reduce the inference in the wind flow each turbine has on one another. Anemometers will also be placed next to the turbines. Therefore, we will be able to see the difference between the energy productions of both turbines. There is a sweet spot over the building in which the average wind speed is the highest and therefore this spot is the optimal location for a turbine. This location is also known to change with varying wind speeds. Identifying the effects buildings have on wind will provide insight for those interested to mount their own wind turbine. Mounting the wind turbine is the next step for our project. We have met with an engineer and planned exactly how we are going to set up the two wind turbines. Also, we have meet with our school to get permission to set it up and have set up a plan of how to wire it. After it is

3 mounted, it will be possible to see how accurate our estimations were at predicting the energy production. Then we can adjust our estimations for potential turbines that will be set up by the school or surrounding community. The reason micro turbines are not being more widely used is because they can easily be installed ineffectively and therefore become quite costly. Our research will aid in making wind energy production more cost effective and more widely used. Relationship to Sustainability Wind energy is a form of renewable energy. Fossil fuels that currently power our campus pollute the air and are becoming more expensive to society. Using alternative energy will have less impact on the environment. They are becoming more economical as other forms of energy continue to rise in cost. Wind is renewable and the turbines used create very little pollution. However, they are not perfect. There is some pollution caused during the production of the turbines and when running they create blade flickering, noise pollution, and can harm wildlife. These are not big concerns though because micro turbines are very small. Other trade-offs are how cost effective the turbines can be. If wind turbines were cheaper than other forms of energy production, more people would rely on it. However, money is not our only concern even though the cost is the big issue when it comes to sustainability. Wind energy is a great sustainable resource, and the high costs are made up for by the reduction of pollution. Many Urban environments have potential to use more wind energy. Micro turbines are continuing to improve and fossil fuels are continuing to get more expensive. Turbines are becoming more competitive. Efficiency is a problem, and wind turbines need to be installed correctly and in an optimal spot to make a dent on energy production. If people are able to produce their own wind energy and they can reduce greenhouse gases like CO2 created when

4 consuming electricity off of the grid. The more research that goes into micro wind turbines, the more interest there will be in them. Materials and Methods A large majority of the funding was put towards purchasing the necessary equipment to mount the building augmented turbine system. These materials were specified by the engineer for the design provided. The next and final step now is just to put everything together on top of the roof. The materials purchased and their specific prices can be seen in the list below. Project Materials (16) Galvanized Carbon Steel High Strength Anchor Shackle, $ (16) Heavy Wire Rope Clip, $31.20 (32) Cable Clamp, $60.48 (500 feet) Extra Strength Guy Strand, $ Fall Protection System, $ (40) HAS 305 Concrete Anchor Bolts, $500 Total Funding Provided by NYSP2I, $ Due to the funding provided by NYSP2I last year we were able to set up a sophisticated wind recording system that will be integral in determining the efficiency of our mounted wind turbine system. A predicted economic performance can be seen below.

5 Table 1. Simple Economic Model Total Investment ($) NYS2PI, $2830 Clarkson, $1200 Total, $4030 Annual Expected Energy Production (kwh) (2) 750 watt wind turbines, 4000 kwh/year (2) 250 watt solar panels, 750 kwh/year Annual Savings ($/year) Clarkson pays $0.11/kWh Simple Payback Period (yrs) $522.5 per year 7.7 years Table 2. Economic Model, Clarkson energy rate stays the same and the Net Present Value of the investment is taken into account. Total Investment ($) NYS2PI, $2830 Clarkson, $1200 Total, $4030 Annual Expected Energy Production (kwh) (2) 750 watt wind turbines, 4000 kwh/year (2) 250 watt solar panels, 750 kwh/year Annual Savings ($/year) Clarkson pays $0.11/kWh Payback Period (yrs) Interest Rate of 5% Compounded annually on remaining investment $522.5 per year 10 years Table 3. Economic Model, Clarkson energy rate increases 3.5% annually, Interest rate on investment 5% compounded annually, Pollution reduction given monetary value Total Investment ($) NYS2PI, $2830 Clarkson, $1200 Total, $4030 Annual Expected Energy Production (kwh/year) (2) 750 watt wind turbines, 4000 kwh/year (2) 250 watt solar panels, 750 Annual Savings ($/year) Clarkson pays $0.11/kWh Pollution Prevented $0.03 per kwh renewable energy $522.5 per year $142.5 per year Simple Payback Period (yrs) Interest Rate of 5% Compounded annually on remaining investment 6.3 years

6 kwh/year Depending on the type of economic model used the expected payback changes. Once the system is mounted and monitored, a comparison will be done against the predicted cash flow. These predictive models then can be expanded upon to be more accurate. This will be crucial in the optimal design of micro wind turbine systems. Results, Evaluations, and Demonstration The results of this project will be a start of wind energy production at our school and hopefully our community. Currently, the plan is to mount the turbines when school is let out. It is a long process to get everything we need to set up the wind turbines, but they are scheduled to go up this summer. Then we can start producing wind energy and comparing our predicted wind speeds to how much energy we create. We will show to environmentally friendly schools, businesses, and people that wind energy can be an effective form of energy production. In order to raise interest, people need to see that wind energy can be economical and can prevent a considerable amount of pollution. Once our turbines get spinning, people will see green energy production in action. Many people have seen turbines standing idle not producing anything which can discourage them. However, we have done the research necessary to make sure our wind turbines will constantly be producing wind energy. Our project is a small scale effort to produce some green energy. Our campus will not rely heavily on wind any time soon. We are simply encouraging the use of micro turbines. Turbines will start to create a big impact as they become more common. If people regularly start setting up their own turbines, they would be preventing a lot of pollution as a whole. This project will be an example of how one might go about harnessing wind power for their own use. Every

7 person who puts up a turbine will lessen the load on the energy grid giving people. Local energy is more effective because it does not have to travel miles through the grid and it gives people some independence from the grid. The energy is used at the location the micro turbine is mounted on so black outs will not affect someone who can produce their own electricity. Theoretically, wind energy is very promising; it just has to be put to use. We also appreciate the commitment to wind energy the Rochester Institute of Technology has shown. Recent construction of three vertical axis wind turbines spreads the word about micro wind energy. However, we would like to have seen one of the wind turbine mounted on the roof of the sustainability building! A good experiment we would like to convince RIT in the future is to place the same model wind turbine on the building and compare the energy production. Having a comparison of energy output from the same type of turbine, one on the ground and one on the roof, would be valuable information for the micro wind industry. Conclusion It is a tedious process to effectively mount wind turbines, but the payoff will be worth it. Pollution prevention is becoming a bigger concern as global warming becomes a more serious threat. Being energy efficient and environmentally friendly should be a main concern off all engineers. In most code of ethics for engineers there is a canon that states that engineers shall strive to adhere to the principles of sustainable development in order to protect the environment for future generations. Eventually, we will be forced to rely on renewable energy resources. Fossil fuels will become too expensive and pollution will become too big of a threat to the environment. More engineers need to start encouraging environmentally friendly practices. Our wind turbines will be one small step in the right direction.

8 Wind energy is just part of the solution. There are many more green energy sources being researched every day. No one energy resource will be enough to power the grid. Energy production will have to use many different resources to meet energy demand. We are not just encouraging wind energy with our project. Hopefully our project will be followed up by other projects that will offset our campus s energy production using other methods. The purpose of our research is to make renewable energy production more efficient and economical while offsetting the need to use harmful fossil fuels. Bibliography 2011 Ultimate Guide to Wind Energy. U.S. Government Department of Energy: Progressive Mangement, Kalmikov, Alex. "Wind power resource assessment in complex urban environments: MIT campus case-study using CFD Analysis." MIT Renewable Energy Projects (2010): 28. Mallon, Karl. Renwable Energy Policy and Politics. UK: Earthscan, Ragheb, M. "Wind Shear, Roughness Classes, and Wind Turbine Energy Production." (2011): Simiu, Emil. Wind Effects on Structures: An Introduction to Wind Engineering. New York, New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1978.