The Effect of Altitude, Wind Speed and Vehicle Speed on Power Generation by Vehicle-mounted Wind Turbine

Abstract

The research investigated the influence of wind speed, driving speed and altitude on the electrical power generated by vehicle mounted wind turbine. A vehicle-mounted wind turbine (VMWT) was developed and tested at varying altitudes, wind and vehicle speeds across the Northern and Southern zones of Nigeria to assess its electrical energy generation potentials for use in powering electric vehicles. The wind turbine utilized a dynamo rated at 12V 10 W at 325 rpm, operating directly without a mechanical multiplier system, a cup anemometer and a datalogger to capture real-time data. The data obtained was grouped using six driving speed ranges (0-20km/hr,20-40km/hr,40-60km/hr,60-80km/hr,80-100km/hr and 100-120km/hr), four altitude ranges (0-100m,100-200m,200-300m, and 300-400m) and four wind speed ranges (0-50m/s,50-100m/s,200-250m/s and above 250m/s). The effect of driving speed, wind speed on electrical power generated was investigated. The lowest mean wind speed of 8.68m/s was recorded at a car driving speed range of 0-20km/hr and at an altitude range of 0-100m and the mean power generated was 266.476mW. while the highest mean wind speed of 108.47m/s occurred at a driving speed range of 100-120km/hr at altitude range of 100-200m with a peak electrical power of 6479.242mW. The peak power output of 6662.131mW for this experimental set up was recorded at the altitude range of 300-400m, driving speed range of 100-120km/hr and wind speed 570m/s. The result of this research shows that electrical power generation increased with higher vehicle speeds and wind speeds across all altitude ranges.