Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) Designs

People are looking for ways that will enable them to curb and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions so that the planet can be saved from the harsh effects of global warming. The wind turbines have proven to be the most effective way of dealing with these emissions. The first one to be designed was the horizontal axis wind turbines and in these modern days, there are some new and modern vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) designs. They are available in different shapes and sizes that enable people to choose the most suitable one.

Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine design

Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine is the first design. It is advantageous because of the fact that it is not sensitive to the direction of the wind and instability. This means that it can be able to be put closer to the ground, which makes it cheaper and safer to build and also to maintain. One should ensure that they put the wind turbine where there is a lot of wind.

This is a high speed, low toque machine that is very suitable for generation of alternating current electricity. The best thing about this wind turbine is that it can be able to start automatically which gives one an option of either pushing it manually or to install the automated starter mechanism on it.

Giromill vertical axis wind turbine design

The Giromill, which is also known as the eggbeater windmill is almost the same as the Darrieus and uses the same principal to capture the wind energy. The difference is the blades of the two turbines since the giromill has straight blades that are attached individually to a vertical axis while the darrieus has curved blades. This design requires a starter that will allow it to run but it can also be automated.

The Cycloturbine

The variety of the cycloturbine has a pitch that is variable in order to reduce the pulsation of the torque that is associated with the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) design. The modification that is in this design enables its efficiency to be improved but at the same time, it increases its complexity. There is no need for a starter in this design because of the angles of the blades, which are varying.

Savonius vertical axis wind turbine

A Savonius VAWT is a high torque machine that rotates slowly and it is perfect for pump driving. This design unlike all the others uses the drag method and this means that it cannot be able to rotate faster than the wind speed that is approaching. This means that this design requires more money to be maintained. It is a wind turbine that cannot be used for personal use although the others are also not meant for personal use. This wind turbine is usually automatic as long as there are at least three available scoops to be used.

Vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) designs are said to be more efficient that the horizontal wind turbines and they are more preferred than the others.