Design of an Active Axis Wind Turbine (AAWT) That Can Balance Centrifugal and Aerodynamic Forces to Reduce Support Infrastructure While Maintaining a Stable Flight Path

This study introduces a novel approach to wind energy by investigating a novel Active Axis Wind Turbine design. The turbine is neither a horizontal nor vertical axis wind turbine but has an axis of operation that can actively change during operation. The design features a rotor with a single blade c...

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Main Authors: Jawad Mezaal, Jonathan Whale, Kim Schlunke, Parisa Arabzadeh Bahri, David Parlevliet
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/22/5743
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author Jawad Mezaal
Jonathan Whale
Kim Schlunke
Parisa Arabzadeh Bahri
David Parlevliet
author_facet Jawad Mezaal
Jonathan Whale
Kim Schlunke
Parisa Arabzadeh Bahri
David Parlevliet
author_sort Jawad Mezaal
collection DOAJ
description This study introduces a novel approach to wind energy by investigating a novel Active Axis Wind Turbine design. The turbine is neither a horizontal nor vertical axis wind turbine but has an axis of operation that can actively change during operation. The design features a rotor with a single blade capable of dynamic pitch and tilt control during a single rotor rotation. This study examines the potential to balance the centrifugal and aerodynamic lift forces acting on the rotor blade assembly, significantly reducing blade, tower, foundation and infrastructure costs in larger-scale devices and decreasing the levelised cost of energy for wind energy. The design of a laboratory prototype rotor assembly is optimised by varying the masses and lengths in a lumped mass model to achieve equilibrium between centrifugal and lift forces acting on the turbine’s rotor assembly. The method involves an investigation of the variation of blade pitch angle to provide a balance between centrifugal and aerodynamic forces, thereby facilitating the cost advantages and opening the opportunity to improve the turbine efficiency across a range of operation conditions. The implication of this study extends to different applications of wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, introducing insight into innovation for sustainable energy and cost-effective solutions.
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spelling doaj-art-856488dbdeef4b58af3462076afade812025-08-20T02:28:14ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-11-011722574310.3390/en17225743Design of an Active Axis Wind Turbine (AAWT) That Can Balance Centrifugal and Aerodynamic Forces to Reduce Support Infrastructure While Maintaining a Stable Flight PathJawad Mezaal0Jonathan Whale1Kim Schlunke2Parisa Arabzadeh Bahri3David Parlevliet4School of Engineering and Energy, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, AustraliaSchool of Engineering and Energy, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, AustraliaSifte Pty Ltd., 23 View Tce., Darlington, WA 6070, AustraliaSchool of Engineering and Energy, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, AustraliaSchool of Engineering and Energy, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, AustraliaThis study introduces a novel approach to wind energy by investigating a novel Active Axis Wind Turbine design. The turbine is neither a horizontal nor vertical axis wind turbine but has an axis of operation that can actively change during operation. The design features a rotor with a single blade capable of dynamic pitch and tilt control during a single rotor rotation. This study examines the potential to balance the centrifugal and aerodynamic lift forces acting on the rotor blade assembly, significantly reducing blade, tower, foundation and infrastructure costs in larger-scale devices and decreasing the levelised cost of energy for wind energy. The design of a laboratory prototype rotor assembly is optimised by varying the masses and lengths in a lumped mass model to achieve equilibrium between centrifugal and lift forces acting on the turbine’s rotor assembly. The method involves an investigation of the variation of blade pitch angle to provide a balance between centrifugal and aerodynamic forces, thereby facilitating the cost advantages and opening the opportunity to improve the turbine efficiency across a range of operation conditions. The implication of this study extends to different applications of wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, introducing insight into innovation for sustainable energy and cost-effective solutions.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/22/5743wind energyactive axis wind turbinelift and centrifugal forceslumped mass
spellingShingle Jawad Mezaal
Jonathan Whale
Kim Schlunke
Parisa Arabzadeh Bahri
David Parlevliet
Design of an Active Axis Wind Turbine (AAWT) That Can Balance Centrifugal and Aerodynamic Forces to Reduce Support Infrastructure While Maintaining a Stable Flight Path
Energies
wind energy
active axis wind turbine
lift and centrifugal forces
lumped mass
title Design of an Active Axis Wind Turbine (AAWT) That Can Balance Centrifugal and Aerodynamic Forces to Reduce Support Infrastructure While Maintaining a Stable Flight Path
title_full Design of an Active Axis Wind Turbine (AAWT) That Can Balance Centrifugal and Aerodynamic Forces to Reduce Support Infrastructure While Maintaining a Stable Flight Path
title_fullStr Design of an Active Axis Wind Turbine (AAWT) That Can Balance Centrifugal and Aerodynamic Forces to Reduce Support Infrastructure While Maintaining a Stable Flight Path
title_full_unstemmed Design of an Active Axis Wind Turbine (AAWT) That Can Balance Centrifugal and Aerodynamic Forces to Reduce Support Infrastructure While Maintaining a Stable Flight Path
title_short Design of an Active Axis Wind Turbine (AAWT) That Can Balance Centrifugal and Aerodynamic Forces to Reduce Support Infrastructure While Maintaining a Stable Flight Path
title_sort design of an active axis wind turbine aawt that can balance centrifugal and aerodynamic forces to reduce support infrastructure while maintaining a stable flight path
topic wind energy
active axis wind turbine
lift and centrifugal forces
lumped mass
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/22/5743
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