Horizontal Axis and Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Power Plant
Q. How does a horizontal axis wind turbine work?
Q. Why do wind turbines have horizontal axis?
Q. What are two advantages of a horizontal axis wind turbine?
Q. What is Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT)?
Q. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT)
Q. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Advantages & Disadvantages
In this case, the axis of rotor of the turbine is horizontal.
Horizontal axis are of two types namely :
- Propeller type
- Multiple blade type
Following are the shapes of these types :
1. Propeller Types Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Power Plant :
(b) Two bladed : Suitably designs, controls are now developed and this type is suited for 2 MW, 3 MW capacity units. Three blade types are also suitable from 15 kW to 3 MW capacity. [Refer Figure(B)].
(c) Three bladed : Blade section aerofoil section. The material used for blade-Glass fibre reinforced plastic. Rotor diameter 2 m to 5 m. [Refer Figure A(c)].
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| Figure A |
2. Multi bladed contraction :
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| Figure B |
Vertical axis Wind Turbine Power Plant :
Blades types in Vertical axis Wind Turbine Power Plant :
(i) Savonius forms S-shape while fabricating so rotor is sometimes called as “S-motor”
(ii) Darrieus type rotors consists of 2 or 3 convex blades. The blades are mounted symmetrically on a vertical shaft.
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| Figure C |
Advantages of vertical axis wind mills :
- Though the direction of wind changes, no orientation of vanes of mill is required.
- In any direction wind is coming, power is generated.
- Low cut in speed = 8 kmph. Sufficient for effective operation.
- Very heighted structure for supporting the mill is not required.
But the limitation of location :
Installed at locations where free flow of air is available.