CONSTRUCTION OF A SMALL-SCALE VERTICAL AXIS WIND TURBINE WITH 120 TURNS OPERATIONAL COIL FOR THE GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY

ABSTRACT This project focuses on the design, construction, and performance evaluation of a small-scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) with a 120-turn operational coil for electricity generation. VAWTs are suitable for decentralized energy production, particularly in urban and rural areas with variable wind conditions. The 120-turn coil was selected to optimize the turbine's electrical output, balancing between high voltage generation and efficiency. The project aims to assess the turbine's performance under controlled wind conditions, with wind speeds ranging from 2 m/s to 10 m/s. Key metrics, including voltage, current, and efficiency, were measured and analysed to evaluate the turbine's effectiveness in low-wind-speed environments. The methodology involved designing lightweight helical blades for the turbine, constructing the generator with a copper coil and neodymium magnets, and testing the system in a wind tunnel. Results show a significant improvement in voltage output with the 120-turn coil, demonstrating its viability for small-scale energy applications. The study provides valuable insights into optimizing coil design for VAWTs, contributing to ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and affordability of renewable energy systems. These findings could pave the way for enhanced decentralized energy solutions in low-wind-speed regions.