If there is the need to install wind turbines in the middle (island) of dual carriage roads in Kumasi to utilize the

motion of cars to supply power to traffic and street lights, which type of wind turbine will be most appropriate and why? Explain your view in a maximum of one page The most appropriate turbine in the median will be the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) which should be designed to be self-starting and a hybrid of both the Savonious and Darrieus type turbines. The reasons being that: When vehicles travel, air is being pushed and the air moves in every direction except into the ground. This air can be captured by a VAWT which is located in the median, close to the ground level where the maximum speed is generated. The VAWT can then successfully utilise the induced wind created by the many vehicles using the dual carriageway. The VAWT will effectively utilise the multi-directional induced winds created by vehicles moving in opposite directions because of its ability to catch wind from all directions effectively. This is in contrast to the HAWT which even though has an automatic yawing mechanism to turn the turbine into the wind will not be as effective as the VAWT in the capturing the wind generated. The rapid changes in the direction of the wind produced by oncoming vehicles from the opposite directions will cause the HAWT to constantly change the axis of rotation of the blade to constantly seek the wind. This frequent seeking of the wind will cause a considerable loss in energy and will render the turbine ineffective. The VAWT which is to be a hybrid of the Savonious and the Darrieus will utilise both the drag and the lift forces which will be created by the forward, backwards and upwards moving air caused by vehicular movement on the carriageway. Repair and maintenance of the VAWTs will also not have a relatively big impact on the traffic movement as they are located near the ground which will make it easier to work on the moving parts in the median whose width can accommodate equipment from the repair crew. In addition, the movement of the VAWT will not be a distraction to oncoming vehicle as they have relatively lower rotational speed. The VAWT can also withstand low or high winds characteristic of the prevailing wind conditions at carriageways as against the HAWT which needs higher wind speeds to operate. Installations of the VAWT will also be relatively easier than the HAWT as it does not require tall cranes to install as compared to the HAWT which needs to be mounted high up and will require such equipment. It also has the added advantage of not affecting the flow of traffic. The VAWT are also reasonably cost effective as compared to the HAWT.

RET 561: WIND POWER TECHNOLOGY